A MESSAGE FROM THE FARMED CHAIR

Lynda Atkinson

It is always enjoyable to work with a group of people who are so motivated to support and promote both food security and the ability of our local population to both produce and consume local healthy food. Our goal is to assist with information to connect our local farms and food producers with our local families.

The Opportunities 2022 and Beyond project that our members have been working so hard, over the last few years, has come to fruition. We are very thankful to all of our own grant writers and the grant providers who have assisted us with our efforts. As the project progresses, our goal is for you to go to our website www.farmed.ca and access the North Cariboo Farm Products Guide and an Interactive Mapping Tool, which includes listings of local agriculture businesses, products and services, farm stands, retail outlets supporting local agricultural products, and a listing of local agriculture / food security related non-profits, and the use of Story Maps to highlight local producers and provide historical information on the region.

We would also like to thank Integris Credit Union for their ongoing support, and recommend you visit the Credit Union and see the FARMED display when you go in to use their banking, insurance and financial wealth management services. Staying with the theme of “shopping local” FARMED recognizes the benefits of using the local services of Integris Credit Union. Let us know if you are interested in starting an account and accessing their many services as we may be able to assist you in accessing special discounts as a FARMED member.

I look forward to working with you throughout 2023 and encourage you to participate in the FARMED member and committee meetings.

Sincerely,

Lynda Atkinson  

Lynda Atkinson, M.A. (UBC) 86, is a retired Quesnel School District 28 administrator and counsellor, and teacher who owns and operates Sisters Creek Simmentals with her extended family, where they raise Simmental cattle and standardbred horses. In addition to serving as the FARMED Chair, Lynda is on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, BC Agriculture Council, Horse Council BC, Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council, and Kersley Farmers Institute. Lynda is also Chair of the Sprout Kitchen Advisory Committee and serves as a member of the Cariboo Agricultural Development Advisory Committee.

Mark it on your calendar!

UPCOMING EVENTS

FARMED Member Meeting: February 21^st, 2023 at 7pm via Zoom

FARMED Opportunities 2022 & Beyond Committee Meetings: February 14^th and 28^th, 2023 via Zoom

Sprout Kitchen Workshops: 

HOMEMADE DEHYDRATED SOUP MIXES WITH CHELSEA AMBROSE February 1st, 2023 6:00-9:00 PM

VALENTINES DAY BAKING WITH JENNIFER LINEGER-JOHNSTON February 8th, 2023 6:00-9:00 PM

EVERYTHING QUICHE WITH CHELSEA AMBROSE February 15th, 2023 6:00-9:00 PM

SAVOURY BAKING WITH JENNIFER LINEGER-JOHNSTON February 22nd, 2023 6:00-9:00 PM

For more information email: [email protected]

Canadian Mental Health Association; Food Security - First meeting in 2023: February 14, 2023, 9-11 am at North Star Church

Exploring Agriculture in the Cariboo: Panel discussion and regional updates hosted by KFI and BC Organics - Feb. 18, 2023, 9:30 – 2:00 at the Kersley Hall. Fee: $20.00 includes membership and lunch. Register at: Exploring Agriculture in the Cariboo -BC Agriculture Networking Event

Seedy Saturday: March 25, 2023 from 9am-3pm at CNC-Quesnel

FARMED Survey:  All current members please check your mailboxes for a FARMED survey sent from MailerLite. We understand these surveys take time (between 5 and 10 minutes), but it would be appreciated if you could share as much as possible, so that we can try to meet the needs of all FARMED members. If you have questions about becoming a member or member benefits, please contact us.