Applied Biology Graduate Helping Organic Farmers in BC

“Amy Norgaard works at the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab at the University of British Columbia and has the task of assessing the province’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

A recent graduate of UBC, Norgaard got her master’s in soil science with a specialization in organic vegetable production, and has worked with about 20 organic farms in B.C. to help them meet and balance their environmental and production goals.

Canada’s National Observer spoke to Norgaard about her current project and how COVID-19 has changed the way people look at food security.”

Read the full article here.

The Agricultural Land Reserve in BC: Challenges, Controversies, and Opportunities.

Date:Tuesday, February 5, 2021

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00 pm

In response to public concerns regarding the loss of prime agricultural land in BC, the provincial government responded by introducing BC’s Land Commission Act on April 18, 1973. The Act designated Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) boundaries based on biophysical information related to the natural characteristics of the land and its climate, rather than on the market and other socio-economic conditions. To administer the ALR, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) was created as an independent administrative tribunal. Regional governments submitted ALR plans to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) based on their guidelines and on maps provided by the BC Department of Agriculture, which identified lands that have the soil/climate combination to support agriculture and that were not already urbanized or irreversibly alienated. Although the ALC has been controversial since its establishment, it continues to receive public support as it has responded to several amendments to the original Act to address public concerns and emergent issues. Although successful, challenges continue. More info.

Event Linkhttps://ubc.zoom.us/j/63198895621?pwd=TzlhTUdLMVlhR29WcVZSVFZjK0pKdz09

Meeting ID: 631 9889 5621

Passcode: 521521

Job Opportunities at ‘Close to Home Organics’

  • Close to Home Organics is seeking one individual to provide record-keeping support and general field work this season. Work includes an ability to track and manage the completion of tasks for our organic certification program and on-farm food safety plans. It also includes general field work. Applicants should be able to work in a busy context and be physically capable of doing farm labour. Funding for this position is provided in part by the Youth Employment and Skills program.

 

  • Close to Home Organics is looking for help at their North Vancouver Farmers Market at the Lonsdale Quay on Saturdays.

For more information about the jobs and how to apply, visit their website.

Become a Student Member of BCIA

Hello everyone,

Your BCIA Vancouver Branch Student Representatives would like to help you continue to navigate the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) https://www.bcia.com/  and explore what it can offer you as a student or a recent graduate.

What is BCIA?

“BCIA is the provincial organization authorized under the Agrologists Act, a British Columbia statute, to govern the professional conduct of its registrants, in support of the public interest. Persons who hold themselves out to be a Professional Agrologist or Registered Technologist in Agrology must be duly registered with BCIA under the Act.  BCIA has 1400+ practicing agrologists, who are professionals in areas such as agriculture, food production, environment and resource management.” View a Summary of the BC Institute of Agrologists

Upcoming Event

Vancouver Branch 2020 AGM: a virtual AGM  Zoom hosted by the BCIA Vancouver Branch. This is a great opportunity to see what your Branch has been up to last year and what is planned for the year to come.

  • Time: 6:00 pm (PST), February 4, 2021
  • Registration is open now

How to become a member?

  • Student membership is free and you can apply online.
  • Applicants for Articling Agrologist within 6 months of graduation will have 50% off application fee waived. Click here to see the requirement of becoming an Articling Agrologist.
  • Introducing the new ‘Registered Technologist in Agrology (RTAg)’. Find out more.

Resources and Events

As a student member you will have access to many events:

  • Networking:
    • Tradeshows
    • Volunteering opportunities
    • Mentorships
    • Drinks with Aggies
  • Professional development
    • Field trips
    • Workshops
    • Conferences
  • Agrology related resources and articles
  • BCIA AGMs & Annual Conference
  • BC Land Summit (every 4 years)
  • Employment opportunities and listings
  • Access to other Professional Agrologists’
  • Scholarships

Most of the events have waived or reduced registrations costs for student members.

BCIA’s Response to Covid-19

In light of the provincial health officer and minister of health orders and directives that are aimed at preventing the spread of the virus in BC, BCIA is taking steps to support public health recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  During this time, the BCIA and all branches are working to provide on-line and virtual events. As a member you will receive information and have access to future events.

BCIA Student Liaison Contacts

Your BCIA Vancouver Branch Student Liaison contacts are available to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the BCIA and applications process.

Contact info for other branches: https://www.bcia.com/contact-us/branch-executive-council

Undergraduate Student Research Awards

For Domestic Students: NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards

“If you are an undergraduate student who’d like to get research experience in an academic setting, you should consider applying for an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA). Through these awards, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) subsidizes eligible professors to hire students to work on interesting research-related jobs and projects.”

Find more details about eligibility and duration of program here.

 

For International Students: Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards

“Designed for International Undergraduate students who are interested in research, the Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards subsidizes professors to hire students to work on their research projects. The program provides students with workplace experience through undergraduate research opportunities, particularly for students interested in research as a career.”

Find more details about eligibility and duration of program here.

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