Comox Valley Farmers’ Institute

Annual Report

Ben Vanderhorst, President

It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone so quickly. Psychologists say

that time seems to move so much more quickly as we get older partly because

there are so many things to do, and we become aware we don’t have enough time

to do everything we want to. That seems to be the case for the institute this year

as well.

We started the year with the launch of our website, hosted by Comox Valley Eco-

nomic Development Society. We are working with CVEDS now to provide us with

direct access to the content management and functionality control, so we can add

features that will benefit all our members. Stay tuned for more in this regard in

the near future.

The institute hosted the biannual equipment auction April 2, where we disposed of

some of the items from our equipment pool – the brush mowers and the no-till

drill, which was replaced with a new model in the spring. The sale realized $49,000

of transactions. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the sale,

through consignment or purchase.

Work has continued on the multi-purpose building dubbed the ‘Agriplex’ through-

out the year, with several of the directors attending numerous meetings to ensure

the project continues to move forward. As this is a major and complex project, a

separate report is included elsewhere in this newsletter to give a more thorough

description of what has transpired over the year.

In October, Marc Vance agreed to assume a project to acquire fertilizer, and po-

tentially lime, in bulk for our members. The objective is to obtain the best possible

pricing by placing one large order for all. Marc has done a tremendous amount of

work to pull this together for us and we owe him a special vote of thanks for it.

The good news is the supplier ended up being local as well – Black Creek Farm and

Feed.

The equipment co-op was busy as usual with the new Haybuster no till drill getting

plenty of use. Special thanks to Brian Geiger and Terri Huxham who manage this

for us so expertly.

November saw us host the annual Harvest Banquet again, with a great turnout as

we enjoyed the potluck dinner and time to socialize for an evening. Thanks to eve-

ryone who helped make this event successful for the umpteenth year.

In the new year, the institute will have a continuing leadership role in the building

project. As well, we have agreed to become involved in the steering committee for

March 2017

Inside this issue

Comox Valley Farmers Market ....2

BC MOA Wildlife Damage ............3

Multipurpose Building Project .....4

Equipment Co-op .........................6

BC Ministry of Agriculture ...........7

Comox Valley Exhibition ..............8

Comox Valley Growers Guide ......9

BC Ministry of Forest, Land .......10

Comox Valley Farmers’ Institute

2017 AGM

Tuesday March 21, 2017

7:30 pm Dove Creek Hall

Burns Road Courtenay, BC

Comox Valley Farmers Institute

Continued on page 2

2016

Comox Valley Farmers’ Institute Board of Directors

President Ben Vanderhorst

Vice Pres Marc Vance

Treasurer Mike Huxham

Secretary Brian Geiger

Director Trevor Stevenson

Director Sarah Kehler

Director Gerry McClintock

2

Comox Valley Farmers' Market Applications are open for 2017. They are available online at cvfm.ca (under the member tab). If you're a local farmer - we want you! We're growing more markets cause everybody wants one in their neighborhood. We are now looking for vendors for our Wednesday and Sunday Markets through the summer and may have some space at the Saturday Market as well. This is a fabulous way to test new product, connect with local purchasers and build your network while selling your quality local food product to our committed customers.

We're turning 25!

We want to celebrate all the fabulous farmers that have been a part of the Comox Valley Farmers' Market over the years. If you are a former vendor, or know one, please contact us so we can capture your story and invite you to celebrate with us! We'll be hosting celebrations and events throughout the year. Keep in touch through the web-site, at the market, or through the contact info below.

See you at the market!

Vickey Brown, Executive Director

PO Box 3301 Courtenay, BC V9N 5N5 www.cvfm.ca

Phone: 250.218.0321 info@cvfm.ca

Comox Valley Farmers’ Market

the CVRD’s proposed agricultural watershed planning pilot program. We

have provided a letter of support for their funding application to the In-

vestment Agriculture Foundation, and look forward to the institute’s con-

tribution to this important matter.

And last but not least, the directors are interested in honoring some of

our long term farm families who have made significant contributions to

the institute, the valley, farming, and/or agriculture beyond our valley’s

boundaries, with honorary lifetime membership in the institute as a way

of recognizing them publicly. We are accepting written nominations from

our members for this honor; please forward to the institute directors

before the end of February for consideration.

In closing, I wish to thank all the members and directors for your support

over the last year. As usual, there is lots to learn and always things that

weren’t expected, but we got through. Special acknowledgement to the

directors who worked so hard this year to make our activities successful.

It has been demanding on their time and I know I speak for all of you in

thanking them for their contributions to the institute.

Ben Vanderhorst

Annual Report - Ben Vanderhorst, President (cont. from page 1)

BC Ministry of Agriculture Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Crop Loss and Damage Due to Wildlife

The BC Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (AWP) compensates qualify-

ing forage producers whose unharvested forage crop, intended for livestock feed, has been damaged by desig-

nated wildlife.

Waterfowl damage assessments, on first cut standing forage, will be carried out from mid-February to mid-

April for Vancouver Island Producers registered in the AWP Program.

To ensure field assessments are scheduled in a timely manner and to ensure field assessments are recorded un-

der the appropriate participant, prior to the commencement of the assessment period all AWP participants need

to:

Enroll annually by phone or by returning (fax/email) the form mailed out in January,

Update their field locations (forage field inventory), field land acquisition and disposition as well as changes

to lease agreements before Feb 15th, 2017.

If you are enrolled in the program and intend on performing field activities during the assessment window please

advise the field adjuster or program representative before you start. 7 days advance notice of field activities is

ideal.

The following activities mask or disturb wildlife damage evidence which may result in a reduced damage claim

due to the inability to document the level or distribution of the damage: harrow, aerate, apply manure solids or

thick slurry, lime, fertilize or spray herbicides or pesticides.

Ungulate damage assessments for 2nd and 3rd cut grass forage and corn silage will be carried out between June

and October. For each cut, AWP participants need to call the Abbotsford office to notify damage has occurred

and work with the field adjuster to schedule inspections. Again, 7 days advance notice of field activities is re-

quired.

Silage Corn - Wildlife damage on corn silage is an insured peril under Production Insurance. AWP compensation

is not reduced where Production Insurance is not in place. In addition to coverage for wildlife damage, the sig-

nificant benefit to purchasing Production Insurance is financial protection for other perils such as drought, exces-

sive moisture at seeding or harvest, hail, unseeded acreage and re-seeding benefits. The annual deadline for

applying for Production Insurance is March 31.

Your cooperation is appreciated and necessary for the successful completion and accuracy of wildlife dam-

age claims. More information can be found on the Ministry of Agriculture AWP webpage.

To enroll, update field inventories,

notify of damage or schedule an

inspection, please contact Vik Chee-

ma, your AWP and Production Insur-

ance Program Representative in

Abbotsford at:

1-888-221-7141 Toll free

604-556-3204 Direct

See you in the fields……..

Graeme Fowler

Agriculture Wildlife Program

Contract Program Representative

Office: 250-897-7554

Fax: 250-334-1410

Email: graeme.fowler@gov.bc.ca

3

Trumpeter Swan damage to perennial forage fields. During wet field conditions, swans excavate the plants in order to consume the nutrient rich roots. Photo: G.Fowler

4

Comox Valley Agriculture Exhibition Centre

We started this year with an ad hoc committee con-

sisting of 3 members of the Comox Valley Exhibition

Association, Edwin Grieve, Don McRae, Murray Presley,

3 CVFI directors – Brian Geiger, Mike Huxham, and Ben

Vanderhorst – and chaired by Darryl Pippin. We had

set an objective of working towards a joint building

project between CVEX and CVFI to put our separate

proposals for buildings on the fair grounds into a single

project. After working together and coming up with

the initial proposal for a building dubbed the ‘Agriplex’,

CVEX decided to back away in late June and concen-

trate on their main task of putting on the fair. CVFI

decided to move forward with the Agriplex concept on

our own at that point.

In July, we completed an application under Growing

Forward 2 for a grant to complete a business case for

the project. With the help of Jill Hatfield and senior

ministry of agriculture staff, we were approved for a

$10,000 grant in early September, and engaged MNP to

assist us with writing the plan and presentation materi-

als. By mid-October, we had completed architectural

renderings, a written business case for the Agriplex,

and a packaged presentation to go to the public with.

Special thanks to MNP for providing this professional

and high quality package to us at a significantly dis-

counted price as a service to the institute.

Our first opportunity to present our building proposal

was to Bob Yates, the consultant hired by CVRD to pre-

pare a review of the master plan for the Comox Valley

fair grounds. In May, CVRD had expanded the size of

the fair grounds by acquiring the site beside it known as

Stonehenge Farm, and decided to review the entire fair

grounds plan incorporating this additional space. We

were pleased to be able to present a clear picture of

what we were proposing for consideration in the mas-

ter plan. The draft plan is expected to be delivered to

the CVRD in the latter part of February. We look for-

ward to seeing how our proposal fits in with the new

master plan.

Subsequent to the presentation for the master plan

review, the presentation was delivered to the CVRD

committee of the whole, Town of Comox council, Vil-

lage of Cumberland Council, and City of Courtenay

council during November and early December. We

were pleased to receive unanimous support from the

CVRD, Comox, and Courtenay councils. We have also

presented to the Farmers Market board of directors,

and two rotary clubs – Cumberland and Strathcona

Sunrise. Scheduled to be delivered in February are

presentations to the Chamber of Commerce directors,

Comox rotary, and Courtenay rotary clubs. More

presentations are being arranged. The purpose of all

the presentations is to seek supporting letters and com-

mentary from the communities to demonstrate broad

community support in principle for the project, for our

requests for funding from governments and, in due

Multi-purpose Building Project Report

5

course, other funding sources.

In December, a meeting between Edwin Grieve, Don

McRae, Mike Trimble, president of CVEX, and Ben

Vanderhorst, president of CVFI, was convened to

discuss the potential to re-instate the single project

concept for the building. It was agreed to form a

partnership between the attendees to move the

project forward as one building project at this time.

A revised architectural rendering of the combined

building was obtained and is provided with this arti-

cle. The presentations to the public at this time are

delivered as a joint project of the two organizations.

On a go forward basis, presentations will continue to

community groups who may be interested in what

we are proposing. The draft master plan review of

the fair grounds will be considered for any indicated

adjustments required to our proposal. We will con-

tinue to work towards initial funding requests to the

province through our MLA. And last but not least,

we will continue to work in partnership with CVEX

and our politicians to make this project a reality.

I wish to extend a special thank you to Mike Huxham

and Brian Geiger for all their work on this to date.

Mike has been advocating for a project like this for

years, with location being the biggest hurdle. This

has hopefully been addressed with the expansion of

the fair grounds to accommodate a project like this.

The committee has spent considerable hours on be-

half of the institute to get to this point, and we can

see a light at the end of the tunnel which is not a

train!

Multi-purpose Building Project Report (cont.)

CVRD had expanded the size of the fair grounds by acquiring the site beside it known as Stonehenge Farm

100% Vancouver Island owned & operated

Courtenay

North Island Tractor Ltd 3663 S. Island Hwy

250.334.0801

Duncan Island Tractor & Supply Ltd

4650 Trans Canada Hwy 250.746.1755

www.islandtractors.com

Proudly Serving Our Island Communities Since 1983!

6

Equipment Co-op Report

Our equipment was well used again last year by our members. The most popular ones being the lime spreader & no till drill (drainage plough can now be hired through Boondock). A complete list of our equipment is below. No-till drill $15/acre

Lime spreader $ 5/tonne of lime or chicken manure

AerWay $100/day

Laser level $40/day

Measuring wheel n/c

Soil probe n/c

To reserve equipment contact: Brian Geiger Phone 250-897-8280

7

Port Alberni hosted the Islands Agriculture Show on

February 3-4, 2017. What we long feared materialized

in an unprecedented amount of snow. This was a

challenge however despite the weather the show went

ahead. A huge thank you goes out to all the vendors,

presenters and attendees that braved the unusual

west coast weather. Next year’s show will be in the

Cowichan Valley and it’s hoped the “Warm Land” lives

up to its name!

Growing Forward 2 a five-year federal-provincial-

territorial policy framework for Canada’s agriculture

and agrifood sector provided funding for the Comox

Valley Farmer’s Institute to develop a proposal for an

Agricultural Exhibition Centre - Agriplex in the Comox

Valley. Other agricultural organizations on the North

Island also benefited from Strategic Outreach Initiative

Funding were the Islands Agriculture Show Society and

the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Town Hall

Meeting on Agriculture both held events in Port

Alberni. The Strategic Outreach Initiative should be

available in mid-April to receive applications for the

2017-2018 year. Please contact me for more

information.

A deadline extension is in place for registering your

groundwater source. If you apply for a licence as an

existing non-domestic groundwater user on or before

December 31, 2017, your water licence application

fees will be waived. After December 31, 2017, regular

application fees apply. Application fees for new non-

domestic groundwater will apply. Below is a

publication link from the BC Cattlemen’s Association

with helpful hints on the registration process:

www.cattlemen.bc.ca/docs/

helpful_hints_existing_well_licence_applications_colour.pdf

AgriService BC is a new way to connect with the

Ministry of Agriculture. The service provides a toll free

number and email address which links you to Ministry

of Agriculture resources and specialist services across

the province:

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/

agriculture-seafood/agriservice-bc

Telephone: 1 888 221-7141

Email: AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca

The Ministry of Agriculture’s new Island Regional

Agrologist, Derek Masselink, joined the Ministry in the

fall of 2016. He is based out of the Duncan Office. The

Island wide monthly agricultural e-newsletter has been

restarted. It comes out at the first week of each

month. If you are interested in getting the e-newsletter

or have events you want showcased please send to me

via email by the 20th of the previous month for

inclusion.

Thank you,

Jill Hatfield p.Ag.

Regional Agrologist – North Island

BC Ministry of Agriculture

If you have questions please contact me:

Jill Hatfield, Regional Agrologist,

BC Ministry of Agriculture

Jill.Hatfield@gov.bc.ca

250 897-7518

BC Ministry of Agriculture

The Participant Guide

With over 750 categories to

enter:

Vegetables

Fruit

Flowers

Baking

Canned Goods

Needle Arts

Weaving

Quilting

Arts

Crafts

Photography

Scrapbooking

Special Needs

Long Term Care

Youth

Poultry

Eggs

Honey

Wine

Beef

Dairy

Hay (Professional Analysis)

4-H

Misc. - Enter anything we have missed

Challenge your friends, neighbors and family!

2017 CVEX Participant

Guide available in May!

Comox Valley Exhibition

8

Canada 150 & Growing With the fair nearly as old as Canada, our theme of Canada 150 and Growing is a natu-ral fit.

The Comox Valley has always been an agricultural area with a rich history of crop pro-duction and butter creameries as far back as the steamship era. CVEX is the main con-nection between the rural and urban populations and, therefore, focuses on showcas-ing the agricultural element, which historically has been the backbone of our local economy.

But with the task of effectively entertaining as many patrons as possible we have de-veloped a very diverse program of features to stimulate their senses. Sure there are animals and poultry (this year featuring the rooster) and back by popular demand we have the AquaDogs, along with an entire area dedicated to dog events and vendors, the military Lord Strathcona Musical Ride, the award winning KidZone and the Antique Heritage Equipment gang!

New this year we have the ‘Laughing Logger’ show, an entire village of vendors and artisans, and a daily show hosting the ‘Island Bug Jam’ and ‘First Responders’ show. In addition, there will be a cornucopia of live, local, diverse entertainment with plans of staging a big event to generate added revenue.

As a community service, CVEX continues to provide tents, staging, tables and chairs to non-profit agencies through-out the year. Last year the equipment donations generat-ed almost $200,000 invested back into the local community. This community vision will continue as we proceed to move closer to achieving the long awaited multipur-pose facility, capable of hosting a wide variety of activities!

We continue to focus on our fundamental successes while adding new flavours but keeping the basic recipe which is our heritage. CVEX has a long history and we are very proud of how far we have come the last 143 years.

Mike Trimble, President

Comox Valley Exhibition Phone: 250.338.8177 Like us on Facebook

www.cvex.ca

info@cvex.ca NEW

9

Spring is just around the corner …. Maybe!!!

That means we are starting to plan the 2017 Grower`s Guide. Last year we saw tremendous growth in the number of farms participating, the number of advertisers supporting the project and, therefore, increased the size of the Guide - AGAIN !!!.

Over 100,000 copies were distributed from Parksville to Port Hardy in newspapers, in Visitor Centres, in Chambers of Commerce - wherever we could get them distributed for you. The de-mand is always there - the shelf life of this product is long - it`s great value for your advertising dollar.

The Comox Valley Echo will be orchestrating the Guide again in partnership with the Comox Valley Farmers Institute, Comox Valley Economic Development, and the Comox Valley Farmers Market, and will start selling ad space in late March or early April with the first release of the Guide in early June. Don`t wait to be contacted. Book now ( before March 30th ) at last year’s rates. Contact Keith Currie:

Phone: 250-334-4722 or Email your request to: keith.currie@comoxvalleyecho.com

2017 - Comox Valley Growers Guide

Offer expires March 31, 2017

I am Ben Robinson, the Groundwater Protection Officer with the provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations on Vancouver Island. If you use a well to supply water to your proper-ty, please continue to read this email. You may be aware of the new Water Sustainability Act and Groundwater Protection Regulation (that came into effect on Feb 29, 2016) that regulates the construction, operation and maintenance, and clo-sure of wells in the province. These regulations help to protect our groundwater resources for current and future users. One of my goals in 2017 is to reach out to well owners to let you know that I am avail-able to help with questions around well construction, operation, maintenance and closure and also pro-vide advice on groundwater protection best practices. By way of this note I am offering to visit your property to meet the site operator and assess your well(s). The visit will provide the opportunity for you to ask questions related to the Groundwater Protec-tion Regulation and I will also provide feedback on the well assessment, which may include recommen-dations for bringing your well(s) into compliance with the Groundwater Protection Regulation. Details of the assessment will also be provided in a report for your records. The site visit should take approxi-mately half an hour. It is not necessary for you to be present for the entire well assessment, however, it is helpful if you are available to answer questions.

Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations

10

You may also be aware that all non-domestic users of groundwater in BC now require a groundwater li-cense. This well assessment is an opportunity for you to ensure that your well(s) is compliant with the Groundwater Protection Regulation, and that your well records are up to date, which may facilitate your groundwater license application. If you would like to schedule a site visit, please respond to this email and I will contact you to set up a time and date. All of the information collected from well assessments provides valuable data that helps us manage local groundwater resources sustainably. For more information on wells and groundwater protection visit the Groundwater Wells website Kind regards, Ben Robinson, MSc, A.Ag. Groundwater Protection Officer Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Water Protection Section, West Coast Region 2080A Labieux Rd Nanaimo BC V9T 6J9

250-751-3266 I ben.robinson@gov.bc.ca

help to protect our groundwater resources for current and future users

Butler Brothers Supplies Now has Agricultural Lime available year round

Our limestone is mined on Vancouver Island, processed and stored at Gravel Hill Supplies in Cobble Hill.

Pricing, delivery and material analysis available upon request.

Dispatch: 250-746-1080 Sales: 250-883-3940 Lee Winter

11

Comox Valley

Farmers’ Institute

PO Box 3493

Courtenay, BC

V9N 6Z8

www.agrifoodcomox.com

The Comox Valley Farmers’

Institute is an organization of

approximately 100 members

that has been in existence

since 1873. It has an equip-

ment co-op open to all mem-

bers and organizes a bi-annual

farm equipment auction in

early spring. The Institute also

provides a connection be-

tween the farm community

and elected officials by con-

ducting farm tours.

Proud Supporters

Of

Comox Valley

Agriculture

Parksville #12-1009 Allsbrook Road Parksville, BC V9P 2A9 Phone: 250.248.7026 Fax: 250.248.7046

Courtenay 1325 Comox Road

Courtenay, BC V9N 3P7 Phone: 250.338.5020

Fax: 250.338.5024

Membership Application January 2016 to December 2017

Dues: $20.00 Annually—Due March 21 After March 21 - Dues are $20 + $30 late charge

Please mail your membership application and payment to:

Comox Valley Farmers' Institute

PO Box 3493

Courtenay, B.C. V9N 6Z8

_________________________________________________________ Farm Name

_________________________________________________________ Member Family Name

_________________________________________________________ Mailing Address

___________________________________________________ , BC Town/City

________________________________________________________ Postal Code

_________________________________________________________ Phone

________________________________________________________ Email Fax

________________________________________________________

Type of Farm

Do you have farm status Yes No

ALL CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE BY EMAIL ONLY UNLESS NOTED BELOW

Yes I would like to receive emails

No I would not like to receive emails

Other ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________ Member Signature

_______________________________________________________ Date

For information contact: Brian Geiger Phone: 250.897.8280

Please submit all address, phone, fax and email changes

during the year. Thank you!

X

X

2017 Lifetime Membership

Nomination

Comox Valley Farmers' Institute PO Box 3493

Courtenay, B.C. V9N 6Z8

_________________________________________________________ Farm Name

_________________________________________________________ Nominee Name

_________________________________________________________ Mailing Address

___________________________________________________ , BC Town/City

________________________________________________________ Postal Code

_________________________________________________________ Phone

________________________________________________________ Email

Please provide a brief listing of the nominee’s accomplish-ments—use additional sheet if necessary

________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

For information contact:

Brian Geiger Phone: 250.897.8280

Thank you!

X

X