FARMERS' INSTITUTE REVIEW

Activities For 2014

PROJECTS:
-the extension to the Bittancourt Museum was started in Jan and requires only the interior finishing at this date.
- winter storm damage to the Horse Ring required many trees to be removed and major repairs.
-GoWifi was installed on the grounds
- the upstairs had a new floor and toilets installed.
- a Blacksmith Shop was constructed by volunteers
- repairs made to the livestock building
-repairs and maintenance to Fall Fair kiosks, band shelter and grounds
-Fall Fair was a success with over 9000 attending and 2000 exhibits

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES:
-discussion continues on the development to the Ganges Boardwalk as the FI owns a small strip of land at the end of Rainbow Road.
-George Laundry did a presentation at the Historical Society on our history of Agriculture
- GST registration was completed
- a cheese workshop was held with good attendance
- participated in Ruckle Farm Days
- Heritage Day was held in July. The elementary school visits to the Museum were postponed due to the labour dispute. A 23 minute video was produced for future showing
-input into BC Ferry service
- the transfer of the Fulford property was completed
-attended the ALR conference
-directors cooked a BBQ at the Legion in appreciation of their support

FUNDING:
Funding was provided to Abattoir for equipment, Phoenix School- gardening for lunch programme, Fulford Elementary for their gardening programme, Bittancourt Museum for summer staffing, Abattoir Birthday Bash, GISS TASK programme used the Poultry building to learn construction skills, Blacksmith Club for materials

PRESENTATIONS HEARD FROM:
-Therapeutic Riding Association
-Blacksmith Club
-Agricultural Alliance
-Abattoir Society

SALT SPRING ISLAND BEEKEEPERS

Bee Time
By Kelly Johnson
This time last year, the weather was mild, the snow drops and winter aconite were in full bloom and the bees were flying on the warmer days. Indeed it was a mild January. An unusually cold arctic front hit the west coast in February, and by the end of the week, I had lost four of my seven hives.
There is no doubt it is challenging for bee keepers. Bee health, including native pollinators, is complex with many contributing factors including loss of habitat, available food supplies, climate change, presence of parasites and diseases, and exposure to toxins such as pesticides. In the past decade honey bees have been dying in greater numbers and winter deaths of honey bees is on the rise. Winter losses in 2013 were high varying from 15% in British Columbia to 58% in Ontario. The Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists consider the long term acceptable level of winter bee losses to be 15%.
The debate over bees and crop pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids (neonics), has been everywhere. I decided to write an article to “demystify neonicotinoids”. When I began my research I pulled together information from various newspaper articles, web sites, and bee magazines. This topic is so controversial and so hot right now, I was actually overwhelmed with all the information and misinformation that is out there. I would need about five pages to pool it altogether. I will do my best to summarize the key points for you.
Neonics are a pesticide which is derived from a synthetic form of nicotine. It is a systemic neurotoxin that is incorporated into every cell of the plant as it grows. Agricultural farmers have been using this chemical to treat the seeds instead of spraying chemicals on their fields. Some farmers prefer the neonics and are fighting to keep them in use, others are not. In Canada this chemical has been in use since 2004.
The Financial Post had a good article in November 2014 by Claire Brownell. She states that Ontario bee keepers have been able to correlate bee deaths with the planting of corn crops. Apparently when corn seeds are pretreated with neonics, a particularly large amount of pesticide-laced dust is generated, far more than with other crops such as canola. This dust is very concentrated and bees are found dead in the field after sowing corn seed. Pollinating insects contribute an estimated $2.3 billion to the agricultural economy every year, according to the Canadian Honey Council, so of course killing off the pollinators is a huge problem. An interesting point at the end of Claire’s article stated that while the environmentalists may be right that bees and the environment would be better off if we just eliminated all pesticides entirely and went entirely organic, humans may not like the consequences: drastically reduced food production, economic losses and steeper food prices.

In 2014 the European Union banned neonics and Health Canada is considering doing the same, with the Ontario government pledging to severely restrict their use by summer 2015. Here in BC, however, neonics are still in use even though it has been acknowledged that there are critical data gaps concerning chronic toxicity to bees and the long term environmental impacts.

There has also been controversy around the use of neonics on flowers and hanging baskets specifically potted up to attract beneficial insects . I decided to call Fraser Thimble Nursery regarding their nursery stock. I was assured that they do not have plants treated with neonics.
What you can do: When purchasing plants ask your nursery staff if the plants, seeds or soil were treated with neonicotinoids.

What you can do, write a letter to the BC agriculture minister Norm Letnick asking for a provincial ban on these pesticides.
https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/write_wild_bc_bees_neonicotinoid_pesticides

In closing, on a more positive note, I would like to encourage you to consider having plants that bloom during the winter months. When the weather is mild and the bees are flying it is great to have a bush or two that they can feast on. In December the blooms were magnificent on Mahonia and right now my bees are in the hazelnut catkins and bringing in pollen. Witch Hazel is in full bloom as are the snow drops and winter aconite. Fraser Thimble has a wide variety of perennials, bushes and trees that bloom throughout the year. They have knowledgeable staff that can guide you to the nectar and pollen loving selection according to your specific garden site requirements.

SALT SPRING ISLAND 4H COMMUNITY CLUB

Following our last newsletter, our Saltspring 4H Community Club members brought their project work to a close. Record books were submitted for marking by leaders who review and comment on the final books. This is the record-keeping portion of the project work where the members outline what they have learned, what goals they have reached, and celebrate their accomplishments with pictures, awards, etc, all put together in a binder format. It is also the final piece of work culminating in project achievement. Great work everyone!

Anna travelled to Toronto to the National 4H Members’ Forum in Toronto from November 4-9.. As one of a handful of delegates selected to represent British Columbia at this national 4H travel opportunity, she found it “very informative, and a lot of fun. This year’s theme was Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Living. It was interesting to see how agriculture works and is viewed in the big cities and even in other provinces. Everything in other provinces is done on such a big level – big animals, big farms, big production. I learned about how the 4h program is carried out in different provinces. I met people who had travelled from all over the country to come to this event. I was on the media committee – we reported daily on the events of the forum. We toured a brickyard – to see a new way of using an old building - a revitalization project turning the brick manufacturing yard into a museum. We toured the Earth Rangers Kids‘ Conservation Organization Centre (ERC) Headquarters in Toronto. This new building is one of the most efficient buildings in the world, using nearly 90% less energy than other buildings of its size. THE ERC practices innovative water, energy conservation and comfort strategies.

I was able to use my French language skills speaking French with a delegate from Quebec who spoke very little English. We paid a short visit to the Royal Winter Fair, where we manned a booth to share 4H Awareness to visitors. That was a great opportunity to share our knowledge of 4H programs and practice skills like public speaking. This was a fantastic opportunity and I would highly recommend it to any of my fellow 4H members and friends. Another great reason to participate in the 4H program!” (Contributed by Anna)

November also saw several of our members attending the District Awards night in Saanich, where Joely, Everest, Quinn, Helena and Anna were recognized for their accomplishments in District Judging Field Day – they received 4H blankets and ribbons for their accomplishments – well done!

This event also recognized the work of our long-time leader, Art Falardeau, where he was honoured with a certificate and pin for 15 years of dedicated service as a 4H Leader. Art was presented with this aware in person at our Annual 4H Banquet and Awards Night the following week – thank you so much Art for your commitment to the 4H Program.

This year’s 4H Banquet was a great success, with the theme of “Lord of the Rings”, as selected by our members. Costumes and decorations represented the theme and the members all teamed together to decorate for the enjoyment of everybody. “We had a neat archway decorated with branches and lights, and our friend Nikki made some really neat scrolls with a poem from the Lord of the Rings. There was one on each table, with candles and glow-in-the-dark rings. We took pictures of our guests coming through the archway. Supper was lasagna with Caesar salad, garlic bread and we finished with a lot of yummy desserts” (as told by reporter, William).

A photography display was supplied by the Photography Project members (Helena, William, Noah and Anna) for viewing by families members and guests.

The banquet was completed with our “Candlelight Ceremony”, where we were joined by many alumni, former leaders and families who continue to support our program with their time and share their knowledge. Thank you very much to all our 4H extended family – we couldn’t do it without you.

January is off to a busy start with our Club Leader attending a conference in Edmonton, Alberta from January 9-11, where she was a delegate representating British Columbia. Loretta attended 6 workshops in two days, and enjoyed some great networking opportunities as well as learning about more great opportunities and resources to share with the members of our Club and District.

We are not busy working on registration for the coming program year. This year we are offering the following projects:
- Sheep
- Rabbit/Cavy
- Poultry
- Photography
- Cloverbuds
- and a nationally sponsored program called “Find your 4H Wings” .

Our first major event for the year will be Public Speaking in February.

We are seeking new members for our program, together with adults, alumni or other interested parties who may be willing to share their specialty knowledge with us. Those seeking more information can email lrithaler@telus.net or call 250-537-7503 (after 5:00pm).

On behalf of the Saltspring Island 4H Community Club, thank you everyone for your continued support and to another great year of 4H on Saltspring!.

Short Farm Videos

Building An Old Fashioned Pole Barn

by Pa Mac

Here is a little project that will keep you off the streets for a while. Watch the video

Despite my (sometime over exuberant) due diligence on 'fungus patrol' over the years, I have managed to loose a respectable number of apple trees to both fire blight and canker. As outlined below, there are a number of factors that cause canker spread. The prime suspects aiding and abetting canker in my orchard are location and soil. My small farm is located in a natural depression with limited air movement, sustaining a moist and humid condition; and, a heavy clay soil which retains water throughout the winter months, keeping the fruit tree roots waterlogged. Fortunately, I have a number of two year old 'whips', seleted varieties less susceptible to canker, ready to replace the diseased trees.

Here are some factors affecting tree susceptibility to canker development:
 During the winter, when the leaves on the orchard floor become wet, ascospores (pathogens) are forcibly ejected into the air. Air currents carry them to the emerging tissues or even pruning cuts where infection takes place. The maturation and discharge of ascospores usually last one to several weeks past leaf fall.
 Other factors include climate (rain), location, variety, rootstock, soil type, water content, pruning and fertilizer regime.
 Applications of excess nitrogen fertilizer, especially farm yard manure which has not been completely composted, increase the canker risk. I apply a regular balanced regime of compost, mulch and lime to keep the soil in the orchard healthy.
 A high water table will put the tree under stress and heavy clay acid soil will also increase the incidence of canker. Again, matching the proper rootstock to the soil type is beneficial in preventing the spread of fungal diseases in the orchard. I have learned that canker is more serious on wet, heavy and/or acid soils, so I pay attention to drainage and raise the soil PH by applying lime, good preventative measures.
 All apple varieties are susceptible to canker to some degree and a variety can vary in its degree of resistance between localities. Rootstock can also influence the susceptibility , trees on less vigorous root stocks such as M.9 (dwarf) tend to be more susceptible to canker .

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THE COMPOST PILE

Rob: "I'm rich !!! I just bought 50 female pigs and 50 male deer"

Mike: " And what do you expect to get from that"

Rob: "Expect---nothing!! I' ve already got a hundred sows and bucks"