product development moose meadows farm quesnel, bc presented by heloise dixon-warren, bsc, rpf...

Product developmentMoose Meadows Farm

Quesnel, BC

Presented by Heloise Dixon-Warren, BSc, RPF

December 4, 2009Prince George, British Columbia

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Product Development

“Where we farm with the seasons”

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Product Development

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Evergreen Products2009 - 8th year; seasonal employment;

50 products in 2002 and 1600 in 2008;

Wreaths, swags, advent wreaths, Door Arches, bundles of boughs, garland; Valentine Wreaths, wild weddings; movies (“A Dog Named Christmas” )

High end premium wreath – a specific marketMoose Meadows Farm

Where we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Evergreen Products

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Evergreen ProductsNEW PRODUCT:

CAMO. CLOTHING!

For those that don’t want to be seen in thebush!!

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Evergreen Products Individual, Corporate, & Fundraising

Orders; returning customers; referrals

On Farm Markets, Wreath Decorating Workshops; Farmer Markets; Majority sold through the internet;

shipped throughout NorthAmerica

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Evergreen ProductsGreenery used – subalpine fir, Douglas fir,

western red cedar, lodgepole pine, Oregon grape, falsebox, common juniper, willow twigs, mosses; a variety of cones used also!

Tipping done on Crown & private land - mature forests (no plantations!!); no tenure available in BC (unlike other provinces)

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Birch SyrupBegan production in 2006 (with a sugar

shanty)

Sugar Shack constructed in 2007 – commercial evaporator; 2009 tapped 230 trees

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Birch SyrupBirch Syrup Products / Experiences:

Pure Boreal Amber Birch SyrupFructose stabilised Boreal Amber Birch

SyrupBirch Syrup CandiesBirch Syrup CaramelSugaring Off FestivalsSugar Bush Tours

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Birch SyrupBirch syrup products NOT regulated (unlike

(sugar) maple syrup – regulated by Maple Syrup Products Regulation);

No standards currently in Canada; most producers adopting the Maple Syrup standards;

Responsibility of a Producer: produce a product safe for human consumption

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Birch SyrupBirch Syrup not considered a primary

agriculture product in BC (for purposes of classifying a farm);

Birch tapping considered agroforestry practise; birch sap products a non-timber forest product;

No specific tenure available in BC for tapping trees on Crown land (“Maple Sugary Lease” available in New Brunswick)

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Christmas Trees Most trees at retail locations (e.g. Save On

Foods) are from central and eastern Canada;

Cultivating (shearing) “wild” natural regeneration – “Fresh from the Forest”; stump culture

Offering Choose & Cut; farm gate sales;

The Experience – hot cocoa,pond skating

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Christmas TreesAnnual planting to ensure an annual

supply of trees so you can meet your market demand as your business expands; explore non-indigenous tree spieces;

Plan for forest health concerns (biological, weather damage)

Length of time it takes for a tree to grow in our area

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Wild Syrups & JelliesDandelion Blossoms – jelly & syrup

Fireweed – syrup & jelly

High bush cranberry – syrup

Wild Rosehip – syrup

Saskatoon – jelly & syrup

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

AGRITOURISMEducational Farm Tours – school groups,

families, individual, etc.

Birthday in the Barnyard

On Farm Festivals & Markets

Workshops – Wreath Decorating,Birch Syrup

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Alpaca / Llama Fibre Products

21 alpacas / llamas; Fibre sent to woollen mill for processing into socks, yarn, and blankets;

Camelids are fantastic browsers - assists with managing brush (poplar, wild rose) inthe fields

NEW for 2009: “Poop in a Pail”Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Additional Information

Heloise Dixon-Warren, BSc, RPFMoose Meadows Farm2861 Nazko Road, Quesnel,T: 250.249.5329 / mmfarm@goldcity.netWebsite: www.moosemeadowsfarm.ca

Moose Meadows FarmWhere we farm with the seasonswww.moosemeadowsfarm.ca