BC's Organic Extension Services

“to provide organic agriculture advice and information
to BC organic growersand processors
and to non-organic sector operators.”

2008 COABC Factsheets:
- Local BC Sources of Allowable Soil Amendments (pdf) - updated June 08
- Co-Dependent Nutrients (pdf) - new June 08
- Nutrient Deficiencies (pdf)
- Weed Management in Annual Cropping Systems (pdf)
- Weed Management in Woody Perennial Cropping Systems - being updated

Survey Results:
- Organic Poultry Training Results (pdf)
- Organic Extension 2008 Results (pdf)

2007-10 Extension Agent ‘Dear Rochelle’ BCOG Articles
- Blister Beetles – good or bad? (Sept 07/pdf)
- Manure Requirements in the New National Standards (Jan 2008/pdf)
- Coping with Grasshoppers (Apr 2008/pdf)
- Organic Chickens and Rodents (June 2008/pdf)
- Seeds: Organic or not Organic that is the question (Sept 2008/pdf)
- The Four Amendments (Jan 2009/pdf)
--- Principles (CAN/CGSB-32.310) Amendments with Impacts (Jan 2009/pdf)
--- PSL (CAN/CGSB-32.311) Amendments with Impacts (Jan 2009/pdf)
- Garlic to my Sheep (Apr 2009/pdf)
- Soil testing (June 2009/pdf)
- Weed Control (Sept 2009/pdf)
- Water Testing (Dec 2009/pdf)

BACKGROUND
BC’s Organic Extension Services for British Columbia begun Sept 1, 2007 with financial assistance from the provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Lands to hire an Extension Agent whose sole purpose is to provide organic agriculture advice and information to BC organic growers and processors and to non-organic sector operators.

This position is currently filled by Rochelle Eisen who holds a B.Sc. (agr) degree from University of Guelph and has worked for the BC organic sector since 1989. Since that time she has completed over 4000 assorted inspections or file reviews, standards reviews, needs analysis, application development, event coordination and extensive educational outreach.

BC’s extension agent will meet the needs of producers by:
- Responding to one-on-one question and answer sessions (telephone, email, or in person)
regarding salient issues about organic production systems, standards, and materials;
- Researching and providing information on organic production systems, standards,
materials, and brand name products;
- Developing and providing printed materials;
- Providing reference to relevant information on the internet;
- Providing reference to current research on organic farming;
- Providing reference to a stable of organic farmers who are willing to participate as casual mentors;
- Working with appropriate educational and research institutions to develop needed research
projects (refer to the COABC Research Needs Project);
- Working with the Organic Sector Development Program to create organic seminars on a
variety of topics and develop on-farm research project;

The Organic Extension Advisory Committee (OEAC)
The OEAC operates with and advises the Organic Extension Agent in their functions. The Advisory Committee reports to the COABC Board of Directors. The members of this Committee sit as members until relieved or replaced by the COABC Board. On the approval of the COABC Executive, the Advisory Committee may appoint additional members as needed.

Current Committee Members
- Art Bomke
- Matthias Haaben
- Peter Johnston
- Susan Smith
- Susan Snow

Services - Role of an Extension Agent