Agricultural Change and the Struggle to Keep Up

We take a rare glimpse into some of the issues facing British Columbia's small-scale farmers and producers. With the rapid pace at which agricultural and production methods have evolved, two distinct food-producing frameworks now exist: the small scale farmer/producer, and the commodity-based ones hooked into industrial methods of production.

How does the small operation survive in this world of giants? British Columbia's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries' - Brent Warner, speaks to members of the Kootenay Organic Growers Society on how change affects them, and how they should best adapt to this change.

This is an opportunity to look behind the scenes into the very issues that face the people growing and producing our food.

Brent Warner - Industry Specialist - Agritourism/Direct Marketing - BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FISHERIES. Brent is a horticulturalist who has worked with the Ministry since 1980. Brent is the Secretary of the North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association. He authored "Marketing on the Edge" - a guide for farmers/producers to assist in diversification and marketing of their products directly to the public.

Brent spoke on 02/11/06 at a Nelson-based meeting of the Kootenay Organic Growers Society. This broadcast contains audio recordings from his presentation.