This event is supported by the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF). Funding for the BCCAF has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund. BCCAF is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation. To learn more, visit www.bccaf.ca

Hosted by Carl Withler PAg in collaboration with Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, Dr. Tom Forge, Dr. Kirsten Hammen and Jesse MacDonald the Knowledge Transfer Technician at AASC. Carl will share his expertise on the benefits of cover cropping and the different types of breeds used within cover cropping and the recent research evidence of the resilience of cover cropping in the face of climate change. Dr. Mehdi, will be talking about his work on cover cropping in orchard settings, Dr. Tom Forge discuss cover cropping and nematode reduction management and Dr. Kirsten Hammen will present her research on Living Lab work on cover cropping and soil health. Jessie will summarize the research documentation and make publications available to anyone that needs it.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided during the event. Please advise of dietary concerns at time of registration. Last day to register is Friday, October 20th, 2023.

Agenda
09:30 Sign in/coffee doughnuts and mingle time
09:45 Introduction to cover cropping by Carl Withler
10:00-10:45 Dr Medhi on his cover crop work at the station and field.
10:45-11:00 Coffee/mingle.
11:00-11:45 Dr Tom Forge on cover crops and nematodes
11:45-12:30 Lunch
12:-30-1:15 Dr Kirsten on Living Labs/cover crops/soil health
1:15-1:30 Coffee/treats.
1:30-2:15 Panel discussion (Carl, Tom, Mehdi, Kirsten and Jessie)
2:15 Wrap up and adjourn to Dirty Laundry winery for networking and further discussions.

Part of Withler’s role is to encourage farmers in BC to move away from less profitable varieties of tree fruit and grapes in favour of more profitable ones hand in hand with this is how to best utilize cover cropping for maximum benefit. His early years with the BC government were high action and spent in the field. He started as a summer student with the Ministry of Agriculture in 1984. After graduating in 1988, he became a Professional Agrologist, a designation obtained through articling and gaining experience in the field.

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the tour. 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.

THIS EVENT IS FULL