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January 20-24, 2025
Farmer to Farmer Week
Field Days and Hands-on Workshops Across the Region
Farmer to Farmer Conference
A Full Day of Learning
Welcome to Farmer to Farmer Week! Join us all week January 20-24, 2025 for field days, networking, workshops, and delving into all things farming. This event is a great opportunity for farmers to come together, share their knowledge, and learn from one another.
Don't miss out on this chance to connect with fellow farmers and grow your skills.
See you there!
Winter school for farmers!
Register Here!
SPONSORS BANNER
Conference Day
Saanich Fairgrounds
January 23, 2025
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Join us for a full day of learning and knowledge building with local mentors.
Lunch included ~ Great Door Prizes ~ IOPA Afterparty
Farmer to Farmer Week Field Days and Hands on Workshops
SOLD OUT - ALL MONDAY GREENHOUSE SITES AT CAPACITY - NO DROP INS
Full Day South Island Greenhouse Tour
Umi Nami Farm ~ Northstar Organics ~ Arbutus Grove Nursery
Full Day Bus Transport Provided
This full day field day tours three successful businesses to learn about their greenhouse infrastructure.
Discuss the pros and cons of site selections and greenhouse construction, infrastructure for greenhouse + high tunnel management, and soil health.
Includes transportation from Saanich to Metchosin to pick up for South Coast Farmers, UmiNami Farm, a brief stop for lunch, to the Saanich Peninsula to tour Northstar Organics and Arbutus Grove Nursery and return to Metchosin.
Tuesday January 21, 2025
10:00 am
Post Harvest Wash and Pack
Michells Farm - Central Saanich
Join us for a behind the scenes look at one of the South Island's Sustaining Farms, Michells Farm. Participants will tour the commercial washing line, cold storage, and engage in dynamic discussion about large scale production and practices. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the experts and integrate scaled systems.
Tuesday January 21, 2025
1:00 pm
Farm Water Management
Foster Richardson
Haliburton Farm - Saanich
Led by articling agrologist, Foster Richardson of Hilldown Farm, join us for an introduction to the key elements of farm water management, including water sources, how soil types and crops impact irrigation volume requirements and drainage.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
1:00 pm
Veterinarian John Pollock
Parry Bay Farm - Metchosin
Bring your livestock management challenges to this field day with South Island Veterinarian John Pollock at Parry Bay Farm in Metchosin. John will talk about how to prevent issues in your livestock by keeping a healthy farm, what conditions to look out for and what to do if you notice any issues.
Friday January 24, 2025
10:00 am
Farm Systems
Lockwood Farm
Bus Transportation Provided from Colwood Park and Ride
Get a 'behind the scenes look' at Lockwood Farms market garden production as Cammy Lockwood shares challenges, solutions and systems at Lockwood Farm. Participants will have an opportunity to observe larger scale management practices and will learn to develop a system for growing that works for their fields and operation.
Follow us on Eventbrite for details and updates.
Field Days Sponsored by:
- MEMBERSHIP
Interested in being a part of the South Island Farmers Institute? - See our current members here
The South Vancouver Island Farmers Institute represents a dynamic group of growers, producers, and agricultural supporters.
We are a local Institute founded and governed by farmers, for farmers and community members who support agriculture and growing. - We commit to supporting our members succeed in the business of farming and agriculture as a
- valued contributor to the social, economic and environmental fabric of the South Island's long term prosperity.
Our activities are membership driven; we work to improve agricultural land stewardship and food security.
We promote farming in the region through education, innovation, research and collaboration.
Annual Membership $25.00 - Farmer Memberships
- Voting memberships for Farms, Farmers and retired Farmers
- Friends of Farmers Memberships
- Non voting membership for all community members, organizations and businesses that support
agricultural pursuits and benefit from membership in the Institute.