WHEREAS it is important to ensure that information about local farming practices is shared in the farming community; AND WHEREAS local expertise on soils, crops and land improvements is being lost as farmers and provincial government staff retire: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the Ministry of Agriculture develop agricultural advisory services to promote mentorship programs and peer to peer networking programs that will encourage local farmers to share their expertise with new farmers coming into the industry.
Ministry of Agriculture The Province recognizes that it is important to ensure that information about local farming practices is shared in the farming community for new farmers coming into the industry. The Ministry of Agricultures Ministry Agriculture Youth Development Program continues to provide the program development and community leadership education to build future leaders in the agriculture industry and connect them with others in the industry. Staff are also working with 4-H Canada to launch a Future Leaders program for youth aged 18-25 which would benefit youth career development and enhance agriculture awareness. The Ministrys business development program is working to support new entrants and beginning farmers. The www.smartfarmbc.ca website is a robust, high-value platform providing the sector with key information and knowledge resources from a wide range of internal and external sources and from collaborating partners. Along with a new farm enterprise publication, there is new farmer information and videos. The platform is targeting to align with contemporary business technology trends social media, connectivity, on-line communication and access to key business management information. It would be worth exploring how this platform and possibly other programs could enable new ways to support mentoring. The organization Farm Start BC http:www.farmstartbc.ca is a good resource for new farmers as well as local universities and colleges. Our linkages with these groups provide the sharing of information as well as materials such as Fields For Your Future.