Join us at the scenic Havenwood Ranch for an engaging and informative day focused on advancing irrigation practices and integrating innovative tools into agricultural operations. Growing Smarter: Irrigation, Innovation & Efficiency brings together experienced professionals and producers to share practical knowledge, technologies, and real-world insights to help improve on-farm water management and production efficiency.

Agenda:

• 9:00 AM – Coffee Meet & Greet

• 9:15 AM – Lani French: Welcome & Introduction to Havenwood Ranch

• 9:45 AM – Rob Dinwoodie: Water Conservation, Efficiency, and Management

• 10:45 AM – Tony Acland & Susan Blackmore from Delta Water Products: Irrigation Tools and Methods

• 11:30 AM – Jody Stump: Drone Demonstration & Producer Insights

• 12:30 PM – Lunch & Lara Phillips, ATAg: Invasive Species and Soil Health Discussion (lunch is included)

• 1:30 PM – Wrap-Up

Event Highlights:

• Welcome to Havenwood Ranch: Meet Lani French, a fifth-generation rancher, who manages a 65-head cow/calf operation utilizing a Spray Irrigation system first installed in 1976. Today, over 80% of their property is irrigated through reel guns, hand moves, stand guns, and a center pivot system.

• Water Management Strategies with Rob Dinwoodie, PAg: Rob will explore the importance of understanding irrigation water use, how to measure it, and the tools available, including mechanical and online options. With decades of experience across forage research, dairy and beef sales, range management, and consulting, Rob brings a practical and technical approach to managing water efficiently.

• Innovative Irrigation Solutions with Tony Acland & Susan Blackmore (Delta Water Products): Tony brings 20 years of experience in the irrigation industry, and Susan, an electrical engineer and Certified Irrigation Designer, designs systems across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Together, they’ll showcase tools and methods to increase efficiency, including:

  • Soil moisture sensors

  • Pump controls and automation (VFDs)

  • Canopy ET rate tools

  • Wind and rain gauges

  • Pivots, wheel lines, solar movers

  • Water meters and pump efficiency solutions
    
    They’ll also discuss navigating funding opportunities like IAF irrigation grants.

• Drone Technology in Agriculture with Jody Stump, PAg, RPF: With a background in both agrology and forestry, and a 200+ cow/calf operation in the Shuswap, Jody integrates environmental stewardship with innovation on her ranch. Jody will provide a producer's perspective on agricultural drone use, including:

  • Types of drones and their applications in BC

  • Enhancing soil health and nutrient management

  • Emerging and complementary technologies

  • Benefits and limitations of drone tools

• Soil Health and Invasive Species with Lara Phillips, ATAg (Invasive Species Council of BC): Lara will share how invasive species impact soil health by altering soil chemistry, moisture, and nutrient availability—often through allelopathic compounds. We’ll also discuss how invasives can spread through irrigation operations, reducing crop quality and abundance, and how their presence can increase fire risk and severity across agricultural landscapes. To help mitigate these risks, we’ll share practical biosecurity tips such as using certified seed stock and implementing decontamination protocols between sowing, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting.

Catering Information:

Coffee, snacks, and a sandwich lunch will be provided courtesy of Delta Water Products. While we are pleased to offer this complimentary refreshment, please note that we are unable to accommodate all dietary requirements. If you have specific dietary needs, we will contact you in advance to recommend bringing a packed lunch.

Meet your presenters:

Lani French is a fifth-generation rancher based just outside of Vernon, BC, where she and her brother Mark manage Havenwood Ranch, a 65-head cow/calf operation. Deeply rooted in agricultural tradition, Lani oversees the day-to-day operations of the ranch, which utilizes a comprehensive spray irrigation system first implemented in 1976. With over 80% of the property now under irrigation, she brings both practical experience and generational insight into sustainable ranching and water management practices in the Okanagan region.

Rob Dinwoodie, PAg, has a rich background in forage research, dairy and beef sales, and rangeland management. He has worked for the University of Manitoba, the Ministry of Forests as a Range Officer, and currently serves as a consultant for the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. Rob owns a small farm in Vernon with his wife where they raise lamb and asparagus, and he brings a wealth of practical and technical knowledge to his consulting and educational work. He is also a musician and horse enthusiast.

Tony Acland has over 20 years of experience in agricultural irrigation. He works closely with producers across the Okanagan, helping them optimize their water use through efficient system designs and technical support. His extensive field knowledge and commitment to problem-solving have made him a key resource at Delta Water Products.

Susan Blackmore is a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) in both Trickle and Sprinkler systems. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from UBCO (2024) and has been involved in the vineyard industry since 2020, overseeing the planting of over 100 acres. Since joining Delta Water Products in 2024, Susan has designed irrigation systems across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and supports clients in accessing funding and navigating system upgrades.

Jody Stump, PAg, RPF, is a Professional Agrologist and Registered Professional Forester with over 20 years of experience. She operates a 200+ head cow/calf operation in the Shuswap and integrates drone technology into her management practices to support soil health, nutrient tracking, and environmental stewardship. Her professional work includes silvopasture development, regenerative agriculture, wildfire risk reduction, and fire hazard mitigation.

Laura Phillips, ATAg, has over a decade of experience in BC’s environmental sector, including five years in the forest industry focused on cut block development, timber cruising, and pest management. At ISCBC, she leads operational outreach and training programs, working closely with industry, First Nations, and public audiences. Lara brings practical field experience to her role, having managed on-the-ground invasive plant programs and delivered workshops across the province, including Pesticide Applicator Certification training for industrial vegetation and noxious weeds.

Registration Required – Limited Spots Available: Due to limited spots and this being a catered event, please provide adequate notice if you register and find you can't attend. If you have food intolerances or allergies, please advise us when you register.

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.