The Abbotsford Soil Conservation Association presents Farm Fest 2010:
a one-day workshop on climate change and nutrient management.
Farm Fest 2010 presents widely respected keynote speakers from throughout Western North America, addressing information about
- whole-farm nutrient management,
- soil conservation and sustainability,
- greenhouse gas mitigation,
- and more…
Technological advancements, such as software that calculates whole-farm greenhouse gas emissions and forecasts changes in those emissions with adoption of various farm management practices, will be featured throughout the day.
Location: Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery, 34345 Vye Road, Abbotsford.
Farm Fest 2010 Tentative Agenda
Download a printable version (PDF).
| 9:15-9:45 | registration and coffee/breakfast snacks |
| 9:45-10:00 | Kim Ross - introductions |
| 10:00-10:30 | Craig Cogger, Ph.D. - Scientist/Extension Specialist Washington State University |
| 10:30-11:00 | Dan Sullivan, Ph.D. - Associate Professor Oregon State University |
| 11:00-11:10 | break |
| 11:10-11:40 | Orlando Schmidt, M.Sc. and David Poon Environmental Soil and Nutrient Management Specialists BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands |
| 11:40-12:10 | Nichole Embertson, Ph.D. |
| 12:10-1:00 | lunch break - visit displays/booths |
| 1:00 - 1:30 | Chad Kruger, M.Sc. - Interim Director for the Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| 1:30-2:00 | Tom Forge, Ph.D. - Research Scientist Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz |
| 2:00-2:10 | break |
| 2:10 - 2:40 | Scott Smith, M.Sc. - Soil Scientist Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland |
| 2:40-3:10 | Guest Speaker from AGCO
|
| 3:10-3:30 | panel discussion/wrap up |
- ASCA is pleased to present a special guest appearance by an AGCO representative discussing:
- Tier 4 Engine Emissions Compliance: Implications and Solutions Scheduled for 2010/2011 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set emission standards for diesel engines used in most agricultural, construction, and industrial equipment. Learn more!
- Some of the days lectures will apply for
- Pesticide Credits and
- Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits
Please note only those producers/growers who are registered in the Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association (LMHIA) Pesticide Re-Certification Program will be eligible for credits. For more information about the (LMHIA) Pesticide Re-Certification Program, please click on this attached FAQ sheet about the program.
For more information on the CCA credits, click here.
A delicious, locally produced, farm fresh buffet lunch will also be catered by Restaurant 62! Click here to view the menu.
Afternoon fun life-skills for children, ages 5+, from 1:30-3:30 with the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery Learn to Fish program!
Cost
Early-bird registration by September 10: $30
Registration at the door on September 14: $40
To register, print and complete this attached registration form. For more information, contact Kristine Schlamp,
Coordinator, at 604-557-5815 or email kristine@abbotsfordsoilconservation.com.
Featured Speakers
Thomas Forge, Ph.D. 
Research Scientist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz
Areas of Expertise:
- Soil ecology
- Influences of nutrient and organic matter management on root diseases and soil health indicators
- Sustainable soil, nutrient and water management for high-value horticultural crops
Current Projects:
- Root diseases of perennial fruit crops: Impacts of climate change and sustainable water management strategies
- Role of plant-parasitic nematodes in root decline of blueberry
- Biological interactions fundamental to the environmentally sustainable production of high-quality blueberries
- Effects of alternative mulches on blueberry root health, productivity and nutrient management
- Impacts of plant-parasitic nematodes on root dynamics and productivity of wine grapes in the Okanagan Valley
- Influences of nitrogen sources and cover crops on soil health indicators and root diseases of red raspberry
Orlando Schmidt, MSc, PAg
Environmental Soil Specialist
Team Lead, Environmental Health and Programs
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Areas of Expertise:
- Soil fertility
- Manure and nutrient management
- Agri-environmental health indicators
Current Projects:
- Leading staff team focused on agri-environmental health issues and programs (e.g. Environmental Farm Plan program)
- Development of agri-environmental health indicators for BC
- Development of a nutrient balance budget model for the Fraser Valley
- Updating reference materials and software tools for Nutrient Management Planning program in BC
- Recently completed soil nutrient studies for the Fraser Valley and Okanagan
David Poon, PAg
Soil and Nutrient Management Specialist
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Areas of expertise:
- Soil nutrient testing
- Nutrient management planning
Current Projects:
- Development of agri-environmental health indicators for BC
- Development of a nutrient balance budget model for the Fraser Valley
- Updating reference materials and software tools for Nutrient Management Planning program in BC
- Recently completed soil nutrient studies for the Fraser Valley and Okanagan
- Development of a web-based nitrogen management tool
Scott Smith, M.Sc.
Soil Scientist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland
Areas of Expertise:
- Soil survey, agriculture capability, and ecological mapping
- Assessment of crop water requirement in the Okanagan Valley in response to climate change
- Digital soil mapping
- GIS modeling of land use, climate and landscape processes
- Paleopedology
- Permafrost-affected soils
Current Projects:
- Canadian Soils and Landscapes Data (NSDB): Development and delivery of detailed soils information: National Soils Database.
- Impacts of climate change and variability on water resources and perennial crops in British Columbia
- Impacts of climate change and variability on crop suitability in the Okanagan Basin
Nichole M. Embertson, Ph.D.
Agricultural Air Quality and Environmental Management Specialist
Whatcom Conservation District
Areas of Expertise:
- Environmental Management of Agricultural Systems
- Nutrient Management
- Air Quality
- Climate Change
Current Projects:
- Sustainable Livestock Production Program focusing on providing practical knowledge and solutions to environmental issues faced by livestock producers
- Application Risk Management (ARM) system assists landowners in better managing the risk factors associated with manure application to reduce surface runoff, groundwater, and air pollution events
Dan M. Sullivan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor- Soil Scientist - Oregon State University
Areas of Expertise:
- Nutrient management from organic sources
- Utilization of organic byproducts
- Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
Current Projects:
- NIFA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) Project. Development of custom compost for certified USDA-Organic highbush blueberry production. Project evaluates locally-available organic materials as soil amendments for blueberry.
- Improving landscape plant quality in compacted urban soils. Project sponsored by Northwest Biosolids Mgmt Assoc. Project evaluates remedial practices (tillage, compost application, and plant selection) on survival and growth of landscape plants in compacted, non-irrigated urban soil.
- Developed composting facility at North Willamette Extension Center, Aurora, OR for small scale composting research. Facility will also be used to conduct composting workshops for farmers and other clientele. First workshop: Feb, 2010.
Chad Kruger, MS
Agriculture and Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest
Areas of Expertise:
- Agriculture and Climate Change
- Agricultural Energy
- Biomass Energy
- Product Recovery
Current Projects:
- Organic Waste to Fuels
- Dairy Farm Energy Assessment
- Columbia River Supply and Demand Forecast
- Organic cropping research for the Northwest
- Climate Change Impacts on Western Forests
Craig G. Cogger, Ph.D.
Scientist/Extension Specialist
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences - Washington State University, Puyallup
Areas of Expertise:
- Biosolids recycling: Nitrogen management and soil ecology
- Organic nutrient management
- Use of animal manure, biosolids, and composts in agriculture and urban landscapes
- Soil quality
Current Projects:
- Using local sources of organic nutrients
- Cover cropping
- Organic farming systems for vegetable crop production
- Soil quality
- Nutrient management and sustainable agriculture
- Master Gardener education
A special thank you to our sponsors
PLATINUM
Avenue Machinery Corp.
North American Forest Products Ground Cover Services
PHONE: 604-850-0220
Little Rock Quarries
GOLD
Farm Credit Canada
Prins Greenhouses
Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd.
Wisbey Veggies
Otter Co-Op
Quality Feeds our Reputation Demands It!
SILVER
Green Valley Fertilizer
Premier Pacific Seeds
Farmwest
CIBC Agriculture
Country Life
TD Canada Trust Agricultural Services
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Kristine Schlamp,
Coordinator, at 604-557-5815 or email kristine@abbotsfordsoilconservation.com.
A special thank you to our event partners 
- Agriculture Environment and Wildlife Fund
- British Columbia Agricultural Research and Development Corporation
- British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
- City of Abbotsford
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Abbotsford Farm and Country Market
- Fraser Valley Community Futures