Open to: Registrants with a declared practice area in Water Resources, Planning, and Management                                   
💲 Cost: FREE (includes lunch, coffee, and snacks - Please advise dietary restrictions and allergies when registering.)
💻 Materials: Provided digitally—bring a laptop for interactive sessions
⚠ Registration Deadline: March 26, 2025 – Limited Spots Available

Parking: Attendees are welcome to park in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food parking lot. In case the parking lot is full, overflow parking is available at New Life Christian Reformed Church next door (35270 Delair Rd).

Unique Opportunity – Water Management Planning Workshop for Agrologists:

The Fraser Valley Branch and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food invite BCIA registrants to participate in a 2-day (April 2 & 3, 2025) Water Management Planning Workshop. This is a unique opportunity designed to build capacity in water management planning for agriculture, supporting the development of professionals who can assist farms in improving water use efficiency, security, and sustainability.

Efficient and effective farm water management is vital to the sector. There is a growing demand for qualified professionals to develop water management plans for farms in BC. The Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) provides funding to support the development of water management plans through the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program (code 2902). Eligible plans typically cost up to $6,000 to complete with 100% of the cost eligible for BMP funding. To prepare a funded water management plan through IAF, planners must meet specific requirements, including relevant qualifications and training.

Why Attend?

This free, in-depth training is designed to build capacity among professionals who can assist farms in developing funded water management plans. With an increasing demand for qualified planners in BC, this workshop provides essential knowledge and practical skills to position yourself at the forefront of sustainable water management.

Expert Presenters:

Ted van der Gulik – Certified Irrigation Designer, retired Professional Engineer, Director & President of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC.

Tara Despault, PAg – Water Resource Specialist with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

What You’ll Gain?

✔ Comprehensive Understanding of Agricultural Water Management – Learn how water planning improves farm productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

✔ Step-by-Step Training in Water Management Plan Development – Explore irrigation management, system assessments, livestock water use, water storage, drainage, and more.

✔ Access to Valuable Planning Tools & Data – Learn where to find key water management data and how to assess farm water needs.

✔ Hands-On Experience – Work on real-world planning scenarios, draft a Water Management Plan, and receive professional feedback.

✔ Pathway to Becoming a Recognized Water Management Planner – Learn how to qualify as a Water Management Planner through the Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program (Code 2902).

✔ Q&A and Discussion 

Why This Matters?

💧 Efficient farm water management is essential to BC’s agricultural sector.

💧 The Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) offers 100% funding (up to $6,000 per plan) for eligible farms to develop Water Management Plans.

💧 To access this funding, planners must meet specific qualifications and training—this workshop helps position you for future opportunities in this high-demand field.

This is a high-value training opportunity with limited registration. To ensure that every available spot is utilized, we kindly ask that if you register but later find that you cannot attend, please provide as much notice as possible so another participant can take your place.

To cancel your registration, please email Jasmine Wong, PPDC, at PD@bcia.com.

For further inquiries about the training, or to become a qualified Water Management Planner in the future contact Tara.Despault@gov.bc.ca.

This workshop is FREE to attend and will include lunch, coffee, and snacks. Please advise dietary restrictions and allergies when registering. All workshop materials will be provided in digital format during the session at no cost to participants.

Registration closes on March 26, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to expand your expertise and become a leader in agricultural water management planning!

We look forward to your participation! Please answer the following questions below when you register.

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the event. These will be used by BCIA for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, newsletters, and on social media. Should you not wish to have your photo taken and used for these purposes, please advise the photographer at the time.