Join us at Dutch Girl Peonies in Beasley near Nelson, BC for a tool demonstration with Kootenay Local Agricultural Society, farm tour & potluck social!
Kootenay Local Agricultural Society Tool Library
The Tool Library is a unique resource available to the public. Kootenay Local Agricultural Society (KLAS) members receive a discount. Tools were carefully selected to ensure they would help farmers be more efficient, but which—because of cost or infrequency of need—farmers wouldn’t buy themselves.
The centrepiece is their fleet are BCS walking tractors and implements such as the tiller, rotary plow, and flail mower that quickly prepare soil and incorporate cover crops on farms the use land intensively with diverse crops. They also have honey extractors, hoop benders, an essential oil still, BCS hay making equipment, root washers, and dehydrators to name a few.
All the tools in the library were purchased with grants from Columbia Basin Trust in 2009.
Participants are going to be able to see a variety of the tools available through the KLAS Tool Library, watch demonstrations and try them out themselves!
Date: Friday, October 12, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: 5254 Queen Victoria Road in Beasley, near Nelson, BC
About the Farm: Dutch Girl Peonies
Dutch Girl Peonies, run by Adriana and Marvin, is situated on a sunny mountain side in picturesque Beasley, 15 minutes east of Nelson, BC. Dutch Girl Peonies is a 300 acre farm above the Kootenay River where Marvin and Adraina have lived and farmed for over 30 years. During this 30 year period they have milked cows, made cheese, sold milk, raised chickens, cows, and pigs. They are looking to slow down a little and are interested in learning more about the B.C. Land Matching Program.
As well as growing and selling 80+ varieties of peonies, they currently have a market garden and Black Angus beef cows. They offer fresh cut flowers for weddings and retail and wholesale sales of plants, root divisions, and blooms. Interested to know what a successful, specialized local farm looks like? This event is for you!
They are members of Kootenay Local Agricultural Society (KLAS) and are proud to be certified through their Kootenay Mountain Grown local certification program. Their peonie roots and blooms are chemical and spray free as well is all their farm produce. Their beef is strictly grass fed. Adriana and Marvin are passionate about growing healthy local flowers and food. They are always looking for improved farming methods such using cover crops and rotational grazing to maintain healthy soil and plants.
Young Agrarians Programs
Young Agrarians has a few spots available in our Business Mentorship Network, which aims to provide new farmers with an opportunity to build their business knowledge and use it to grow their farm operations to achieve long-term viability. Ultimately we hope to see farmers produce an increase in: crop yields, revenues, and where possible, area of land in production. Brittny Anderson, Columbia Basin Coordinator, will discuss opportunities for seasoned farmers to participate as mentors and new farmers as mentees.
- Children are welcome to join us us for this event but please leave pets at home.
- Not sure what to bring to the potluck? Consider supporting your local, organic farmer and/or food producer and find inspiration with their ingredients. Also, it is greatly appreciated if you can include a little card with the ingredients list for your dish in case people have food allergies/sensitivities
- Have space in your car? Need a ride? Post on Kootenay Ride Share
Let us know you are joining us buy confirming your attendance on our Tool School Facebook Event Page.
If you have any questions please contact Brittny Anderson, Columbia Basin Young Agrarians Coordinator:columbiabasin@youngagrarians.org
250-777-1611
Thank you!
The Columbia Basin event series is made possible with funding from Columbia Basin Trust.
