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About BC Young Farmers

BC Young Farmers (BCYF) is a committee of BC Agriculture Council (BCAC). Our purpose is to represent the voice of the next generation of farmers and ranchers in B.C. We do this in collaboration with BCAC by participating on the BCAC Board, attending key industry events and hosting events of our own. We have a keen interest in sharing our perspective with government so that their future public policies support the long-term sustainability of agriculture. BCYF plays an important role in organizing peer-to-peer networking and leadership-development opportunities. BCAC’s Board of Directors and staff support the BCYF Committee Members with transitioning into a boardroom and farm management.

Farm Fest 2023

Join us for Farm Fest 2023!

The day will begin with two educational sessions covering the topics of labour and farm business. This will be followed by tours of two local farms in the afternoon and an evening reception and business showcase giving attendees the opportunity to further network together. The day is sure to be packed with great experiences and we hope to see you young farmers there!

When: November 16, 2023

Where: Student Union Building, 33844 King Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8, Canada

Click here for more information.

Young Farmers Skill Development Program

The Young Farmers Skill Development Program is intended to increase the agri-business skills of young and new farmers in B.C. by increasing access to knowledge-based skill development events, conferences, and training through a cost-share funded application program. This program will support new entrants and young farmers to build capacity and promote leadership in agri-business skills in multiple commodities across B.C.

Applications are now open for the 2023 program year. If you would like to apply for funding towards one of the events listed below, please complete the application form.

Please note: Applicants can apply for more than one event, priority will be given to those who haven't received prior funding. Funding is received as reimbursement, applicants must provide receipts to receive reimbursement.

Funding for this program is provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Skill Development Application






    Eligible Events

     

    Date(s): March 14 - March 16, 2023 in Vancouver, B.C.

    Did you attend the Fruit & Vegetable Growers of Canada AGM? Apply to be reimbursed for eligible costs.

    Number of participants: 1 

    Eligible costs: Registration, Travel, Accommodation

     

     

    Date(s): October 17 - 18, 2023 in Toronto, ON

    Each year, the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity hosts a premier educational conference to present its most recent research and provide a forum for learning how to engage and build public trust in the food system.

    Number of participants: EVENT FULL

    Eligible costs: Registration, Travel, Accommodation

     

    Date(s): November 7-November 9, 2023 in Penticton, B.C.

    The annual BC Organic Conference provides a chance to visit with current and future leaders in the BC organic sector, exchange ideas, eat amazing meals, learn from experts, and return home inspired by our incredible community.

    Number of participants: EVENT FULL

    Eligible costs: Registration, Travel, Accommodation

     

    Date(s): November 19, 20 & 21, 2023 in Niagara Falls, ON

    The Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference is created for every woman who is passionate about agriculture and food, whether you are a university student studying agriculture, producer, entrepreneur, representative of a grower association or corporate agribusiness.

    Number of participants: EVENT FULL

    Eligible costs: Registration, Travel, Accommodation

     

    Date(s): November 21-23 – Guelph, ON

    The Agricultural Excellence Conference (AgEx) welcomes anyone and everyone from farmers to advisors, academia, organizations, private industry, and government to join us to exchange expertise and insights to continue to position Canada’s farmers for success through farm management excellence.

    Number of participants: EVENT FULL

    Eligible costs: Registration, Travel, Accommodation

     

    Date(s): On demand, Virtual, 2023

    Small Business BC offers live, interactive group webinars (delivered virtually in real-time) on practical and timely business management topics. These include product launching, online marketing, staff management, taxes, incorporation, and the basics of starting a new business. On-demand “e- courses” are also available on similar topics.

    Number of participants: 5 spaces available

    Eligible costs: Registration

     

    Date(s): October - November 2023, Virtual Webinars

    Centre for Organizational Governance in Agriculture (COGA) webinars are hosted by the BC Council of Marketing Boards, which is responsible for training commodity board members, this program offers regular education on governance and issues of industry-wide concern. Each participant can attend up to four webinars. Please note if you attended one of the COGA workshops in the spring you can still apply to be reimbursed.

    Number of participants: 4 spaces available

    Eligible costs: Registration

    Join BC Young Farmers

    BC Young Farmers is seeking passionate young farmers who are interested in strengthening the future of agriculture in British Columbia to join our committee. BC Young Farmers provides a forum where young leaders can discuss issues related to agriculture, provide input in BCAC policy-building processes, and build connections to the next generation of farmers in BC. Our members have the opportunity to contribute to discussion and direction through the BC Agriculture Council, Canadian Young Farmers Forum, Centre for Organizational Governance in Agriculture, Young Farmer Skill Development Program steering committee, and more. BCYF Committee Members will be primary agriculture producers between the ages of 19 and 40 (inclusive).

    BCYF Application









      BCYF Events
      •  Farm Fest - November 16, 2023. Click here for more information.
      • Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Webinar - October 2023
      • Speak Up! Webinar - November 2023
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      BC Young Farmers
      1 week ago
      BC Young Farmers

      Today we are saying a big thank you to Farm Credit Canada for their support of BC Young Farmers!

      FCC is the only lender 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food. FCC builds strong relationships and shares knowledge and expertise with thousands of customers across the country.       ... See MoreSee Less

      Today we are saying a big thank you to Farm Credit Canada for their support of BC Young Farmers! FCC is the only lender 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food. FCC builds strong relationships and shares knowledge and expertise with thousands of customers across the country.
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      BC Young Farmers
      3 weeks ago
      BC Young Farmers

      Apply for funding to participate in Small Business BC’s live, interactive group webinars (delivered virtually in real-time) on a variety of business management topics including social media, online marketing, and the basics of starting a new business. Visit www.bcyf.ca to apply now! ... See MoreSee Less

      Apply for funding to participate in Small Business BC’s live, interactive group webinars (delivered virtually in real-time) on a variety of business management topics including social media, online marketing, and the basics of starting a new business. Visit www.bcyf.ca to apply now!
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      BCYF Committee
      Chair

      Rebecca Senicar
      Vice Chair

      Russell Reitsema
      Treasurer

      Corne Quik
      Member

      Jacintha Kulchar
      Member

      Jeff Spitters
      Member

      Campbell Woike

      Chair

      Rebecca Senicar

      Rebecca and her family operate Winners Holstein Farms, a 450 cow dairy farm in Cloverdale, B.C. In addition to milking cows, Rebecca has helped add a small beef herd to the farm and market beef products online to her community. Rebecca attended university in Saskatoon, working towards a bachelor’s degree in agriculture where she focused on animal sciences. During her time in Saskatoon, she volunteered at the university barns during lambing season, at the dairy, and vaccinated poultry. Rebecca has volunteered with the Mainland Young Milk Producers and was deeply involved in 4-H for more than a decade – at the club, district, provincial, and national levels. She enjoys networking with like-minded individuals, sharing ideas, and learning about other sectors in agriculture.

      Vice Chair

      Russell Reitsema

      Russell spends his time acting as Herd Manager at Westview Dairy Farms, which he and his father operate together. He milks and cares for almost 300 cows on their operation nestled in the Matsqui Valley between Abbotsford and Mission. Russell is a keen advocate for agriculture, his passion led him to pursue an Animal Science Technology Diploma from Lakeland College. Russell is an active community member and when not volunteering he can be found sampling local delicacies, spending time with family, or finding a new adventure. Russell joined BC Young Farmers in 2020 and is excited to use his energy and experience to push the envelope for agriculture on a provincial scale and in his own backyard.

      Treasurer

      Corne Quik

      Corne grew up on his family’s farm, Quiks Farm Ltd, which has instilled in him an entrepreneurial heart and a passion for agriculture and people. Today, alongside his father and two brothers, he co-owns the farm serving as the General Manager of their bouquet production facilities, greenhouses, outdoor growing spaces, and maintenance. The demands of this position with its challenges and joys each day make for a very diverse job, where no two days are the same. Corne completed 2 years of postgraduate business schooling at UFV which taught him the basics of business but his most significant career growth has been a product of being hands-on and involved each and every day alongside his team.

      Member

      Jacintha Kulchar

      Jacintha was born and raised on a cattle farm in Vanderhoof, B.C. She has had a passion for animals her entire life and raised dairy and beef projects in 4-H. In 2011, Jacintha travelled to Australia where she travelled around to work on different farms, eventually meeting her husband while they were combine harvesting. Jacintha and her husband moved back to Vanderhoof in 2016 to begin setting up their own farm. They started with chickens, then purchased cattle and now they also raise sheep. Last fall, Jacintha and her husband purchased their own operational farm, and have been loving every minute. Jacintha is a 4-H Leader with Nechako Valley Dairy and Beef and is actively involved with the 4-H Council. She originally joined BC Young Farmers as an ex officio with the BC Cattlemen’s Association and is excited about her role with BC Young Farmers.

      Member

      Jeff Spitters

      Jeff is a third-generation Canadian farmer, his Opa started dairy farming in the sixties and his father started poultry in the late eighties. Jeff has always had a passion for poultry farming, working closely with his father during their transition from conventional chicken production to organic and specialty production. Enjoying the responsibility of making critical decisions as his father transitions out of day-to-day management. Jeff hopes to pass the family farm on to his son when the time comes.

      Member

      Campbell Woike

      Campbell Woike is a 3rd generation farmer from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Poultry is his family’s primary farming operation but they also operate a CFIA licensed Egg Grading Station and market and sell 100% of the eggs they produce from their 70,000 laying hens. Campbell is the General Manager of the farm. His family also has a small 10-acre hazelnut orchard, 300 acres of field crops and a small 50-head cow-calf operation. Campbell is a graduate of Olds College – Agriculture Management Diploma with a major in finance. He volunteers as an ambassador with BC Egg at events educating people about egg farming. He is a Director of the Vancouver Island Egg Producers Association and the BC Egg Producers Association. This year he was selected to be part of the Egg Farmers of Canada Young Farmers program. At 22 he is the youngest member of BC Young Farmers and is excited to be part of the committee. Campbell hopes he can bring his level of hands-on farming experience along with the expertise he has in finance and marketing to help highlight B.C.’s Young Farmers.

       
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      BCYF Sponsors

      Please click our Platinum Gold and Silver level sponsors to view their sites and support their businesses. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, or renewing your sponsorship, see our current Sponsorship Package.

      Champion Sponsors

       

      TD's agriculture specialists understand the factors that affect farming in Canada and are committed to building a long-term relationship with you. They can provide banking solutions to help you expand your operations, improve your cash flow, and finance equipment, quota or livestock.

      FCC is the only lender 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food. FCC builds strong relationships and shares knowledge and expertise with thousands of customers across the country.

      Scotiabank has been providing financial services to Canadian farms and agri-businesses for more than 185 years. Their Agricultural Specialists come from agriculture and farming backgrounds to better understand & serve your business.

      West Coast Robotics is BC's leader in robotic milking & feeding equipment. Experienced and knowledgeable sales and service staff are available to provide 24/7 technical support and service.

      Supporter Sponsors

       

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      BCYF assists young farmers in BC with information, education and support to ensure farming remains a success in our province! Through our events & workshops, our members have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and exchange ideas that can positively influence farming in BC.

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      For more information about BC Young Farmers or to learn how to get involved, please email us or use the contact form provided below.

         

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        Mailing Address: BC Young Farmers c/o BC Agriculture Council, Unit #1 – 2650 Progressive Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6H9