It has been a very intensive 8 months getting to this point! From grant writing to program design, there has been much to consider to get this program launched! Here is how some of that looked:
June 2015
- Started grant application to IAF
- FFCF and University of British Columbia start collaborating on project
July 2015
- UBC Hired Alex Lyon from University of Wisconsin to design and implement trials. Alex also played a key role in refining the grant application
- Continuing to work on IAF grant
August – November 2015:
- Establishing budget for program and key program details such as:
- Choosing crop
- Finding farm sites
- Designing farmer survey to get input
- Setting up website and Social Media sites
- University of Fraser Valley joins research team
January – February 2016:
- Identifying and choosing baby sites for on-farm research
- Attending Organic Seed Alliance, COABC Conference, and Pacific Agriculture Show
- IAF funding confirmed!
- Whole Foods 5% day funding confirmed
- Choosing crop varieties and sourcing seed
- Ordering seeds
- Hired Shauna MacKinnon for program and communications support
March 2016
- Preparing and distributing seed packages for farmers
- Finalizing participant farms
- Developing data collection forms
April 2016
- Gettign ready to plant!