As I’m sure we’re all aware, The Bulkley Valley and Lakes District has long standing agricultural roots in the region. From Hazelton to Vanderhoof, the valley corridor is covering in ranches, hay feeds and farm land.

That’s why this past seasons level five drought, the worst the region has seen in a generation, hit farmers and ranches hard. As we reported earlier this fall, many have had to sell off parts of their herds, or in some cases selloff the entire farm to recover losses.

Drought, wildfires and other climate induced pressures are taking its toll on every agricultural region in the province, and indeed the country. That’s why the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture is hosting a series of forums to engage communities about the Regional Extension Program.

It’s a five year producer-focused research program launched in April 2023 to help increase on-farm adoption of beneficial management practices to make their farms and ranches more sustainable, economically viable and climate resilient.

The researchers will work with ranchers and farmers to identify soil health, water supply, Reducing impacts of extreme temperatures, and grassland habitat management to name a few.

Labour shortages, climate instability, drought, infestations are all pressures producers are having to deal with more and more, with greater uncertainty, than ever before. That’s why communities need to start adapting now.

Eugene Witter of W. Diamond Ranch knows the ever changing realities of working the land and raising cattle. He’s seen many changes over the years and is working to insulate the ranch, and indeed our local food systems, from the challenges that are  coming in the wake of climate change and economic and social uncertainty. I caught up with them at Round Lake Hall during unveiling of the Regional Extension program, but first:

Mark Raymond, is an executive director for the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and lands, we spoke about the urgency of the program and what the ministry if hearing from farmers and ranchers from across the province.