Have your say on our farms

Sep 23, 2019

The province is calling for the public's feedback on how to encourage farming and protect farmland throughout British Columbia.

Input is being welcomed on how to support farmers and ranchers in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) in expanding and diversifying their businesses, help establish new farmers and ensure there is flexibility for residential options while prioritizing agriculture.

All residents can have their say from now until Nov.15 by submitting online feedback or attending one of the public meetings held throughout the province, including one in Kelowna on Oct. 10.

B.C. minister of agriculture Lana Popham says it is essential B.C.'s agricultural industry continues to thrive in the light of issues like climate change and rising land prices.

"Helping farmers, protecting farmland and increasing food production are top priorities for our government, and we want to continue the momentum we've created - it's driving the success of this sector in our province. Our government is working hard to expand B.C.'s agriculture industry. We are increasing access to locally grown and raised food, and helping rural communities diversify their economies and create sustainable jobs."

The six in-person focus sessions will focus on the purpose for recent government changes to strengthen the ALR and gathering input from attendees.

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Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.