Islands Agriculture Show: Regional Cooperation at its Finest

January 20, 2017

– Pat Deakin is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Port Alberni. He can be reached at 250.720.2527 or Patrick_deakin@portalberni.ca.

PORT ALBERNI – In 2009, the Comox Valley Economic Development Society, the Cowichan Valley Economic Development Commission and the Port Alberni Economic Development office each put up $2,000 and submitted an application to the Investment Agriculture Foundation for additional funding to develop a major tradeshow for agriculture on Vancouver Island.

On Feb 3rd and 4th this year, the Sixth Annual Islands Agriculture Show will take place; this time at the Fall Fair Grounds in Port Alberni. Four of the previous shows have been hosted in Cowichan and one in the Comox Valley.

The Islands Agriculture Show is the only agricultural trade show and conference serving the farm and food community on Vancouver Island, Coast and Gulf Islands. Bringing together farmers, rural landowners, farm organizations, equipment dealers, service providers and the general public, the Islands Agriculture Show provides a venue for participants to learn, connect and engage. The continuing success of the initiative is, indeed, a solid demonstration of what regional cooperation can achieve.

This year’s Show will have three added, first-time, dimensions reflecting the evolution of agriculture on the Island. One: a ‘New Farm Startup Workshop’ with Professional Agrologists Mark Robbins and Greg Tegart runs from 9:30 AM to 4 PM on Thursday February 2nd. The cost is $30; lunch is included.

Two: a Young Agrarians Farmer Mixer (from 5:30 PM onwards Thursday February 2nd). Three: west coast seafoods will grace the Show’s exhibition area and talks about seafood will also form part of the educational offerings.  

Several of us who volunteered in the Alberni Valley booth at the first show in Cowichan were shocked to discover than most attendees had no idea that we “had agriculture” here.

In fact, with 7,700 hectares in the Agricultural Land Reserve and 90 farms averaging 35.6 hectares, we represent one of the bigger opportunities for affordable farm land and the 2017 Show will help to set that straight. This year’s show is on track for more than 60 exhibitors of all types plus two days of informative conference sessions.

Admission is $5 for the tradeshow and $15 per conference session. Sessions include but are not limited to groundwater, climate change adaptation, food for bees, economic opportunities in the seafood sector, new organic certification regulations and agricultural social enterprise.

For more information about the topics, the presenters or to register please check out the Show’s website at www.iashow.ca.

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