FEB 28-MAR 1, 2026: SNPINTKTN, PENTICTION, BC Mixer

Calling all farmers!

Young Agrarians (YA) invites you to join us to share knowledge and connect with each other – towards growing the next generation of farmers. 

YA (un)conference-style Mixers are a great opportunity to support and connect with passionate new and young farmers in the YA network. 

Threads woven through the weekend include sustainable business management, ecological and regenerative production, farmer health and wrap-around-care, policy change and Indigenous food sovereignty.

YA mixers are known for the remarkable connections made: new possibilities for collaboration, support, sharing and cooperation. To make the most of this, come with an openness to meet new people, share something that you have to offer (like employment, land or special skills) and something that you might need (such as specific tools, crop planning models or mentorship).

THEME: The theme of the mixer is “Resilience in Relationships” – a gesture towards the interconnections that sustain us, with the land and each other. Resilience is the work of a community, not an individual, and relationships bring us out of isolation and into connection. Resilience can be very practical – and this Mixer event seeks to connect us all better to skills, resources, practices and supports in a networked approach to navigate change together.

WHEN: Saturday, February 28 8:30am-9pm and Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 8:30am-4:30pm

WHERE: This two-day event will be held in snpintktn, at the Okanagan College campus of Penticton: 583 Duncan Ave W PC 256, Penticton, BC V2A 8E1

REGISTER: Please register on Eventbrite to reserve your spot.

COST: Sliding scale  – suggested $40 – $120, with free tickets for people who face systemic economic barriers as members of racialized communities such as Indigenous people, Black people and People of Colour. All funds raised go to covering the cost of the event. If you feel resourced to, please choose the higher ticket end, and know you are supporting others in attending who face barriers to access. If you are facing other barriers to accessing this space, please get in touch. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please let us know your needs at bc@youngagrarians.org.

POTLUCK LUNCHES: We are welcoming potluck lunch for this event, for both days. Please bring an item with you to share for 10-20 people, and please write ingredients on a card to place beside your offering. Breakfasts, snacks and dinner will be covered, and will feature produce from local farms. Menu to be shared closer to date. If you are a farmer who would like to donate some produce you have grown and/or preserved, we’d love to hear from you and feature you and your farm on our menu!

ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation is not included in the ticket price. Please arrange your own accommodation. Group rates will be available at the nearby Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Penticton – more information coming soon, please keep an eye out here! 

Have a spare room or couch to share in snpintktn/Penticton? Looking for space to stay in town? Post in the Facebook Event discussion to coordinate.

CARPOOLING: Folks will be travelling from all corners of B.C. and beyond to attend. If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, please post in the Facebook Event discussion to connect with others.

SCHEDULE: More information coming soon – keep an eye out here and on our socials as we confirm speakers and schedule. 

• Saturday Feb 28: Breakfast, Opening, Lunch, Afternoon Sessions, Dinner and Evening Networking
• Sunday Mar 1: Breakfast, Morning Sessions, Lunch, Afternoon Sessions, Closing

About the Speakers

Tristan Banwell of Spray Creek Ranch

Tristan Banwell manages Spray Creek Ranch, a diversified regenerative organic farm in the Northern St’at’imc Territory near Lillooet, BC.  Together with his wife Aubyn, he raises cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry on pasture along the mighty Fraser River in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains. Operating a growing on-farm abattoir, they direct market their organic meats throughout the Sea-to-Sky region. Tristan is a director with the Certified Organic Associations of BC, administrator of the BC Certified Organic Program.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Children and families are welcome, and childcare is something we are working to provide, more information coming soon!
• Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and mask if you are unsure;
• Please do not bring alcohol/recreational substances to this event. Please reach out for access to supports if you are struggling with this;
• We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting bc@youngagrarians.org; Please let us know if you aren’t able to attend – this helps us to plan, especially for food and session structure

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Supporting Sponsor – Farm Credit Canada
Creating an accessible event that prioritizes room for many ideas to be discussed, skills and resources shared; bringing together farmers of diverse lived and farm production experiences.

Nourishing Sponsors – MNP LLP and Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen
Creating beautiful and nutritional meals for farmers attending, showcasing local and seasonal food of the region.
              

If you are interested in sponsoring the event or providing a food donation, please reach out to bc@youngagrarians.org

Thank you to Olly Costello for creating the beautiful art work graphics for this event. It is a pleasure to work with you Olly!