Delivered in partnership with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, ACARN’s 2025 annual workshop is Lab to Land: Advancing water and soil research for agricultural resilience. Sessions run over two mornings where we will explore current agricultural climate change research and projects from across the province. Hear from those working on the ground and learn about the research and programs emerging to advance agricultural research and support BC farmers. End each morning with a chance for discussion and networking with researchers, consultants, producers, and policymakers.
“I made new connections that will be helpful for my current challenges and future work.” – 2024 workshop participant
“Tons of info on extension and data…keep it coming!” – 2024 workshop participant
“Great to know help is available as the climate changes – and how to access the help.” – 2024 workshop participant
Dates & Format
- Two-day virtual workshop on Zoom
- Each day has three sessions: presentation, panel/project showcase
- January 15 & 16th, 2025 | 8:45am-12:30pm PST
Who should attend
This event is an amazing opportunity to connect with the diverse agricultural community in BC, including researchers, consultants, producers, and policymakers. We hope you’ll join us for a rich program of learning, discussion, and interdisciplinary connections.
Thanks to support from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, this event is free to attend. Registration is required.
Agenda
All sessions will be recorded and made available on ACARN’s YouTube channel after the workshop.
💧WATER: Collaborative approaches to drought resilience
Session 1 – Workshop welcome and presentation (8:45 am-10:00 am PST)
Towards adaptive agricultural water management: Indigenous-led co-governance in the Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Watershed
Exceptionally low summer flows in the Koksilah River, combined with increasing water demands, threaten the watershed’s health, including fish survival, Cowichan Tribes’ rights, farmers’ livelihoods, and residents’ well-being. Current drought response actions have helped the ecosystem but create socio-economic uncertainty for farmers. Learn about how Cowichan Tribes and the Province of BC are working with local communities to develop a Water Sustainability Plan (WSP). This plan aims to create adaptive management policies to prevent water conflicts and protect ecosystem health, and serve as a model for other watersheds in BC.
Presented by: Natasha Overduin, Joint Executive Director, Xwulqw’selu Watershed Planning Team
Moderated by: Love-Ese Chile, BC ACARN
Session 2 – Project Showcase (10:15 am – 11:15 am PST)
Addressing drought through on-farm research and extension
As producers across the province are increasingly challenged by the impacts of drought, extension and research projects are working to support adaptation. In this session, you’ll get a deeper understanding of the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s collaborative efforts towards water security for BC agriculture, and explore how two projects are tackling water challenges with different approaches – from generating enhanced weather data to on-farm drought resilience through riparian restoration.
- Towards water security for agriculture in BC
With more prolonged and frequent periods of dry weather, we’re seeing increasing water scarcity for agriculture in BC, leading to crop damage and other significant challenges. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is taking action to support producers and build water security for agriculture through extension, education and funding programs, and by improving cross-agency awareness and collaboration to find creative solutions to this complex issue.
Presented by: Lisa Levesque, Manager – Water and Sustainability, Ministry of Agriculture & Food
- Expansion of provincial weather monitoring stations for agriculture
[Session description]
Presented by: Andy Nadler, Peak HydroMet Solutions
- Regenerating watercourses on ranches: Beaver Dam Analogues in the Nechako Valley
As drought in Northern BC becomes longer and more intense, ranchers are faced with challenges to hay and pasture production, livestock watering, and well supply. Beaver Dam Analogues may be able to help – proven to be an effective stream restoration method, they can support water regulation and storage, promote long-term aquifer health, and save salmon. Learn how ranchers, conservationists, and researchers are working together to trial this biodiversity-based solution in the Nechako Valley, and defending against drought, flooding, and wildfire.
Presented by: Wayne Salewski, Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society
Facilitated by: BC ACARN
Session 3 – Discussion and Networking (11:30 am – 12:30 am PST)
Towards an evapotranspiration monitoring network & connections across water research areas
[Session Description]
Presented by: Dr. Thorsten Knipfer & Dr. Andy Black
Facilitated by: BC ACARN
🌱 SOIL: Supporting ecological and community resilience
Session 1 – Workshop welcome and presentation (8:45am – 10:00am PST)
Restoring Indigenous forest gardens: The influence of ancestral stewardship on soil processes
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest planted and actively stewarded food forests, which have been aptly named “forest gardens”. These agroecosystems are made up of beaked hazelnut, pacific crabapple, and a variety of berries, roots, and medicinal species. Join us to learn about ancestral stewardship practices, the beneficial impact on soil processes and properties, and the work being done to revitalize these multifunctional ecosystems.
Presented by: Dr. JT Cornelis, Alyssa Robinson, Kristen Pundyk, Jack Edgar, SoilRes3 Lab, UBC, & Patsy Drummond, Kitselas Growing Food and Wellness
Facilitated by: Love-Ese Chile, BC ACARN
Session 2 – Panel (10:15 am – 11:15 am PST)
Farmer-led soil research projects for climate adaptation and mitigation
Supporting soil health is a priority for a lot of producers, but best management practices can vary widely depending on the particular farm or production system. Hear from representatives from four projects that are partnering with farmers to develop, trial, and measure the impact of different management practices on soil health. This panel will show how management can support better climate adaptation and mitigation outcomes and highlight the value of user-driven initiatives.
- The BC Living Lab, Jesse MacDonald, Summerland Research and Development Center, AAFC
- The On-Farm Demonstration Research Program, Marjo Dessureault, Director of Research, E.S. Cropconsult
- The Soil Health Assessment Pilot, Dieter Geesing, Provincial Soil Specialist, BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food
- Salish Regenerative Farm Society, Peter Doig, Upland Agricultural Consulting
Moderated by: Dr. Jessica Chiartas, Research Manager, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
Session 3 – Discussion and Networking (11:30 am – 12:30 am PST)
Bringing soil biology testing on-farm and connections across soil research areas
Presented by: Dr. Miranda Hart, UBCO
Facilitated by: BC ACARN
Meet the speakers
Natasha Overduin is a facilitator with Compass Resource Management, specializing in planning and decision-making for natural resource management. She currently serves as Executive Director for the Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Water Sustainability Plan, collaborating with Cowichan Tribes and the Government of BC to lead this groundbreaking initiative—the first of its kind in the province. Natasha is driven by a passion for helping groups achieve better outcomes: for the land, the water, and their relationships. She lives in Nanaimo.
Lisa Levesque leads the Water & Sustainability team in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food which is focused on promoting sustainable water, riparian and biodiversity management practices within the agriculture sector. With a passion for finding collaborative solutions to complex, interdisciplinary problems, Lisa has worked on a variety of conservation- and natural-resource focused programs, policies and initiatives in multiple provincial government agencies since 2006. Lisa holds a B.Sc in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph and an M.Sc in Interdisciplinary Science from the University of Victoria.
Andrew Nadler is a Professional Agrologist and Agricultural Meteorologist who has worked with weather, climate, and water monitoring networks both in Western Canada and internationally. In his role as owner of Peak HydroMet Solutions, he collaborates closely with various organizations and farms in BC, helping them enhance their sustainability and resilience through the application of new technologies and innovative solutions. Andy holds a master’s degree in Soil Science (Agrometeorology) from the University of Manitoba and a BSc in Geography.
Wayne Salewski comes from an agricultural background and was proudly the first Range Officer on the Ranger station in Vanderhoof. He is the current Chair of both the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Center and the Nechako Environment and Water Stewardship Society and has been recognized National by Earth Day Canada as a Hometown Hero and Provincially by DFO. Fraser Basin Council and School District 91 for his work. Wayne was also nominated for a King Charles 111 Coronation medal for his contributions to Conservation.
Dr. Thorsten Knipfer is a Professor in the Applied Biology and Plant Science program at UBC (Vancouver). He is the principal investigator of the Plant-Water Relations lab at UBC…
Dr. Andrew Black is a Professor in the Applied Biology and Soil Science program at UBC (Vancouver). He is the principal investigator of the Biometeorology & Soil Science Group and his climate change research is primarily focused on agroclimatology, crop water use, water use efficiency, mulch and greenhouse climate, soil temperature, soil water availability, frost protection, and carbon sequestration
The SoilRes3 Lab at UBC focuses on studying the interactions between soil processes and the cycling of essential elements in terrestrial ecosystems, especially as they respond to both natural changes and human impacts. Rooted in soil-plant feedback, Dr. JT Cornelis’ team explores the intricate soil, land and people relationships in diverse eco-cultural contexts, striving to enhance ecosystem resilience. Through respect and reciprocity in relationships with Indigenous communities, his team is committed to decolonizing the discipline of soil science to inform the reintroduction of Indigenous practices, thereby supporting the effort of the land to maintain stable homeostasis.
Jack Edgar and Kristen Pundyk work towards the revitalization of Indigenous soil amendments while Alyssa Robinson investigates how ancestral Indigenous forest garden practices influence soil processes and properties.
Patsy Drummond…
Dr. Jessica Chiartas is the Research Manager at the Center for Sustainable Food Systems…
Marjolaine Dessureault is a Professional Agrologist located in Pemberton, British Columbia. Her work focuses on delivering Integrated Pest Management (IPM), research, and environmental assessment services to farmers. She is the Research Director at E.S. Cropconsult Ltd., and through this work, helps clients design research that will be meaningful to them and to the agricultural industry.
Jesse MacDonald is the Knowledge and Technology Transfer specialist at the Summerland Research and Development Center, and Site Manager with the Peace Region Living Lab…
Dr. Dieter Geesing (P.Ag., RPBio.) is the Soil Management Specialist for the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the soils instructor for the agricultural department at the University of the Fraser Valley. Dieter has worked in and around soils and in the organic waste industry for over 30 years. Soils-related projects have ranged from lab work to field work in forest, urban, and agricultural soils. He has designed growing media for the horticulture industry, created erosion and sediment plans for construction sites, and designed and implemented water and fertility management plans in and outside Canada.
eter Doig is co-Princial and Senior Professional Agrologist at Upland Agricultural Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in industrial biochemistry, microbiology, crop production, and bio-products development, Peter has managed teams of scientists, engineers, and farmers, and collaborated with finance teams. Passionate about systems-based thinking and project management, he supports agri-tech start-ups, co-founding Rubicon Organics and contributing to Salish Soils and Origin Organic Farms. He has written organic cultivation standards, including for cannabis with the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association (FVOPA). His projects have received several grants and awards. He holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Guelph and an MSc in BioResource Engineering from UBC.
Dr. Miranda Hart is a Professor in the Faculty of Biology at UBC (Okanagan). Her research is focused on microbial ecology of soil microbes and the role and applications of microbes in sustainable agriculture, viticulture, and ecological restoration...
Funding acknowledgement
Funding for this event has been provided by the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food through CleanBC.
