2022

Opportunities 2022

Building on the work completed by members and friends of the North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association (dba FARMED) in 2021, the Opportunities 2022 sub-committee is now moving forward a project called Connecting Producers to Consumers and Increasing Food Security across the North Cariboo. This project is not only of interest to members of FARMED, but also any agriculture producers, agriculture-related businesses and individuals who have an interest in supporting local agriculture and food security initiatives in the north Cariboo. The members of the Opportunities Sub-committee are currently working to identify organizations who may be interested in collaborating, partnering and/or funding the project, which will be geared towards the following:

• • all producers / farmers / food gardens in the North Cariboo that are promoting / marketing their products and services at the Farm Gate, Farmers Market, Farm Stands, via social media, and /or in a retail setting, and
  • all organisations that support food security initiatives thereby enhancing the creation of healthy, connected communities and supporting community resilience.

The 7 components of the project that have been identified are:

1. 1. Farm Fresh Product Guide (v3) – Hard Copy & Digital
   2. Interactive Mapping Tool which will connect producers to consumers & address Food Security concerns; the tool will include listings of local agriculture businesses (products and services), farm stands, retail outlets supporting local products, and a listing of local agriculture / food security related non-profits;
   3. FARMED Kiosk and Highway Billboard Updates (Kiosk located in LeBourdais Park, Quesnel and 2 billboards; located north and south of Quesnel);
   4. Promotional and Online Marketing: 360 Deg. Tours and Videography (drone footage);
   5. On-Farm Celebratory Event to Launch the Project (e.g., Ribbon Cutting, Demonstrations, Farm Market, Local Food, etc.);
   6. Inventory of regionally based businesses and non-profits supporting the agriculture / local food production / food security sector in the North Cariboo complete with a listing, by season, of the products grown and services provided and when they are available; and
   7. Listing of culturally significant wild foods regionally available. Note: This will focus on Indigenous knowledge and include collaborating with both the has Lhtako Dene Nation and /or the Nazko First Nation and perhaps other First Nation communities.

For more information on this project email: farmed2007@gmail.com

FARMED Agriculture Working Group

The members of the FARMED led Agriculture Working Group have worked with the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee (ADAC) of the north Cariboo and the Cariboo Regional District to expand the ADAC member representation to the south, central and Chilcotin sub-regions, allowing for full regional representation. The Cariboo Regional District is in the process of developing a Cariboo Agricultural Area Plan and the ADAC members are taking on the role of steering committee for the plan.

2021

The North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association and the FARMED led Agriculture Working Group continue to focus on building capacity and sustainability for the agriculture industry in the area by providing support to the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee of the North Cariboo (ADAC), now completing its third year of work.

Agricultural Development Advisory Committee – Cariboo Regional District (cariboord.ca)

In January, the Agriculture Working Group liaison was asked by the ADAC members to present their annual report and assessment summary to the Cariboo Regional District Committee of the Whole meeting focussing on agriculture.

The ADAC also sponsored several Agriculture Strategic Planning sessions in February and March via Zoom involving members of the agriculture industry and various levels of government. The sessions have been well received and will continue over the next month.

The Growing North Cariboo Society has partnered with FARMED to support the production of a series of virtual workshops via Zoom throughout February and March. The topics included:

• • Raising Chickens and Turkeys for the Table

  • Introduction to Backyard Tapping and Birch Syrup Production

  • Instant Pot 101 – Cooking and Preserving with a Multicooker

  • Get Ready to Grow: Seed Starting

After providing support for the development of the business plan, FARMED is pleased to see the soft opening of Sprout Kitchen, the Regional Food and Innovation Hub in Quesnel, sponsored by the City of Quesnel, Ministry of Agriculture and the Northern Development Initiative Trust. The chair of FARMED continues to be involved in the Food Hub by serving on the Advisory Committee. Follow these links for more information on Sprout Kitchen:

Sprout Kitchen

B.C.’s newest ‘food hub’ opens in Cariboo region to support food entrepreneurs | CBC News

2020

In early 2020 the Agriculture Education Program Project Management Team assisted in the organization of agriculture career guest speakers for Career Life and science students at the senior school. Unfortunately, with schools closed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were challenges in completing the program. A one-year extension for the program was requested and approved by Rural Dividend. In the fall, FARMED partnered with its sister organization the Growing North Cariboo Society to initiate the planning of virtual workshops through the Empowering Family
Health program.

2019

FARMED continues to support the work of the North Cariboo Agricultural Development Advisory Committee (ADAC) as part of the Phase 3 North Cariboo Agriculture Awareness and Marketing project, which includes working with government to build capacity and sustainability of the agriculture industry in the North Cariboo.
In the first quarter of 2019, FARMED completed the reporting of the $10,000 Rural Dividend Project Development grant after assisting the City of Quesnel with the finalization of the Regional Agriculture Centre business plan. The directors were very pleased to hear the news in July from Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham, of the direct
award to the City of Quesnel for up to $500,000 to establish a Regional Food Innovation Hub. In March of 2019, FARMED received another $10,000 Rural Dividend Project Development grant to introduce an Agriculture Education Program including Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC), as a program option for School District 28. FARMED formed a Project Management Team (PMT) for the project and hired a facilitator to work on the project. Throughout 2019 the following activities were completed as part of the project:

• • Several professional development workshops for interested SD#28 staff were held, to introduce information on the agriculture industry and the Agriculture in the Classroom program.
  • In June of 2019 an Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Ambassador for the North Cariboo was selected to assist teachers with the implementation of AITC.
  • The team assisted teachers with the coordination of grant writing proposals for the establishment or expansion of school garden programs.
  • In the fall of 2019, an agriculture career awareness program was established as part of the senior Career Life programs. A field trip for senior students to tour several local farms took place in October.

2018

The Agriculture Working Group led by FARMED is working with the City of Quesnel, Alex Fraser Park, College of New Caledonia and the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee on the development of a business plan for the Quesnel Agriculture Centre.

North Cariboo Partnering for Healthier Communities committee led by the Growing North Cariboo Society, a sister organization of FARMED, received $2,500 in funding from the Northern Health Imagine Grant program to support the school and community garden programs at Barlow Creek and Carson Elementary schools.

The Agriculture Working Group led by FARMED announced funding approval by the Cariboo Regional District for the formation of a North Cariboo Agricultural Development Advisory Committee (ADAC) through the North Cariboo economic development function and the adoption on April 13, 2018 of the Cariboo Regional District North Cariboo Rural Agricultural Development Advisory Committee Bylaw No. 5137, 2018.

Members of the FARMED Board of Directors met with the Agriculture Land Reserve Advisory Committee when in Quesnel on March 13th and provided a response to the Discussion Paper for Stakeholder Consultation and Public Engagement.

FARMED received a $10,000 grant from the Rural Dividend Project Development fund to hire the facilitator team from Sonoran Resource Management to assist the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee move forward their strategic plan recommendations.

2017

FARMED Directors meet with the Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham

FARMED leads the Agriculture Working Group in the establishment of an Agricultural Development Advisory Committee. 

North Cariboo Partnering for Healthier Communities committee led by the Growing North Cariboo Society a sister organization of FARMED, received $7,500 in funding from Northern Health to implement the Empowering Family Health project with 119 people in attendance at the workshops on Foraging for Edible Plants, Food Preservation: Dehydration and Pressure Canning and Fermented Foods.

2016

FARMED celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary.

The Growing North Cariboo Society sponsored the Growing North Cariboo Food and Communities Roundtable on November 7. The goal of this roundtable was to work together as individuals and groups to increase local food production and food security. The Roundtable had 35 participants and included an excellent representation of groups and agencies, as well as, Minister Norm Letnick, the BC Minister of Agriculture and Minister Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business & Red-Tape Reduction.

North Cariboo Partnering for Healthier Communities committee led by the Growing North Cariboo Society a sister organization of FARMED, received $20,000 in funding from Northern Health to implement the Empowering Family Health program to enhance rural community garden school programs, create a database inventory of local experts and leaders, facilities, groups and educational resources for those interested in local food production and food security, provide workshops in rural communities related to personal food production and preservation and supplying rural community kitchens with food preservation equipment through the development of the Empowering Family Health program. The 25 workshops held in 25 communities were attended by over 200 participants.

2015-2014

2015

Purchase of a cargo / utility trailer for storage of the organization’s assets.

2014

March, 2014

FARMED establishes a sister organization, the Growing North Cariboo Society, to focus on bringing people together from different areas, agencies, and sectors across the North Cariboo region to discuss and identify barriers to health with a focus on food security.

February, 2014

Thank you to all the sponsors, participants, volunteers and supporters for your contribution to the success of the 2014 Ag & Hort Leap Conference held February 8th and 9th at College of New Caledonia.

This conference was sponsored by the North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association (FARMED) with funding support from:

• Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition
• Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation
• North Cariboo Community Futures
• Growing Forward 2 a BC Ministry of Agriculture & Federal government project
• College of New Caledonia – Quesnel Campus
• HARVEST-Quesnel Farmers’ Market
• Integris Credit Union
• Continuing Adult Education

Meals served at the conference highlighted locally produced food from North Cariboo producers and were catered by Jean’s Side Door Catering and Savalas Steak House.

To view video of conference keynote speakers, forums and workshops from the 2014 Ag & Hort Leap Conference click the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCsf9KpTe8shkTCGcnBiroA

2013

November, 2013

Coordinators are hired and the planning of the 2014 Ag & Hort Leap Conference at CNC on February 8 & 9 begins.

October, 2013

The “North Cariboo Farm Country-Grown for You” mural is installed on the outside of the Good for You Market.

July, 2013

The launch of the “North Cariboo Farm Country – Grown for You” brand awareness and marketing program begins at the Quesnel Farmer’s Market. http://grownforyou.farmed.ca/

June, 2013

Through a partnership with Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation and FARMED, funds for the “North Cariboo Farm Country – Grown for You” brand awareness and marketing program have been secured. The search for a coordinator begins.

May 2013

FARMED hosted an incredibly successful ROOT CELLAR TOUR today (May 17th, Fri.) through Red Bluff & Kersley.  Four sites were visited… all quite different and all very innovative by design.

January, 2013

Funds secured for the 2014 Ag & Hort Leap Conference and the planning committee initiated the planning of the conference.

2012

Quesnel Rotary contributes to the North Cariboo Agriculture Awareness & Marketing project – 2012

October, 2012
Redesigned and launched www.farmed.ca

July, 2012

• “North Cariboo Farm Country – Grown for You” branding completed
• Completed Highway Billboard Signs along Hwy. 97 and “FARM PRODUCT MAP” kiosk in LeBourdais Park, Quesnel
• Farm Fresh Product Map completed (5000 copies) and distributed

June, 2012

Partnered with Quesnel Leisure Services for the 2012 Junior Farmer Program to be held in conjunction with “Imagination Park”

January, 2012

Sponsor of the 2012 Ag & Hort Leap Conference at the College of New Caledonia, Quesnel Campus

2011

September, 2011 

• Submitted an application to Northern Health (HEAL) for funding towards the purchase of a salad bar kit to compliment the Junior Farmer Program
• Submitted an application to Northern Development Initiative Trust for North Cariboo Agriculture Awareness & Marketing Project

June, 2011

• Launched Junior Farmer Program at Quesnel Farmers Market;
• 60+ children registered as “Junior Farmers” for the 2011 season

February, 2011 

• Submitted an application to Northern Health (HEAL) for funding to purchase a commercial dehydrator for the Junior Farmer Program & Farmer Appreciation Weed.
• Recipient of funds towards this project.

January, 2011

• Sponsor of the 2011 Ag & Hort Leap Conference at the College of New Caledonia, Quesnel Campus

2010

December, 2010

• Purchased booth space at the Christmas Farmers Market for members and FARMED to have presence at these markets
• FARMED members created Crates of Local Farm Products and a FARMED calendar

October, 2010

• Workshops – Social Media (FACEBOOK), Geocaching
• Submitted a Letter of Intent to Community Futures Project Fund for the North Cariboo Agriculture Awareness and Marketing Project. Recipient of funds towards this project.

August, 2010
Sponsored a Golden Rooster Award, Youth Agriculture Exhibit and North Cariboo Farm Display Competition at the 2010 Quesnel Fall Fair

May – September, 2010

• Hosted ON THE FARM events at a variety of member’s farms / business locations (e.g. Music on the Farm, Art on the Farm, Families on the Farm, Horses on the Farm, Fall on the Farm)
• Purchased booth space at the Quesnel Farmers Market for members and FARMED to have regular presence at the market

March, 2010
Hosted a Networking Social for members and to promote the organization to the agriculture community and representatives involved with economic diversification

2009-2008

August, 2009

Sponsored a Golden Rooster Award, Youth Agriculture Exhibit and North Cariboo Farm Display Competition at the 2009 Quesnel Fall Fair

May, 2009

• Launch of the Farm Fresh Product Guide for the North Cariboo in partnership with the Quesnel Farmers Market
• Double page editorial and advertisements in Quesnel Tourism Guides (distributed throughout BC)

April, 2009

FARMED brochure completed to promote organization

March, 2009

FARMED listing on Tourism BC’s website (www.helloBC.com)

February, 2009

Winner of the Tourism Excellence Award at the Quesnel Business Awards

2008

September, 2008

Hosted BC Farm Women’s Network Conference “Creating Healthy, Sustainable Communities”

August, 2008

Hosted Innovative Agriculture Workshops at the 2008 Quesnel Fall Fair

May, 2008

Double page editorial and advertisements in Quesnel Tourism Guide (distributed throughout BC)

2007-2006

November, 2007

Launched www.farmed.ca

September, 2007

Launched North Cariboo Farm Tour brochure; 25,000 copies printed and distributed throughout the province

June, 2007

One day Agritourism Circle Tour of local agri-businesses in partnership with the Quesnel Visitor Information Centre

March, 2007

Hosted one day CFBMC / Canadian Farm Business Management Council Workshop (Marketing Caravan) – “On a Roll with Agriculture”; 90 delegates in attendance (2nd highest in Canada)

May, 2007

FARMED registered as a non-profit society

2006

May, 2006

First Meeting of FARMED