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Land to Table in action: CFNO supports food systems network

May 28, 2019/in News

How can we develop a local food system that is prosperous, environmentally sustainable and accessible? Even more, how can we go from talking about doing this, to making it happen? These are just some of the questions that have driven Land to Table, a network of partners committed to building a thriving local food network for the North Okanagan. 

“Our idea is that if we have a well-connected and coordinated network inspired by a common vision and goals, together we can develop a food system that benefits so many in our region in so many ways,” says Liz Blakeway, coordinator, Land to Table. 

Originally known as North Okanagan Food Systems Initiative (NOFSI), the network grew from handful of women rooted in the agricultural community who were committed to sustainable development and began a study circle. Founding member Eva-Lena Lang went on to focus her master’s degree research on building a food system network in the North Okanagan. 

Three years later, Land to Table is focusing both on implementing Lang’s recommendations around building the network, and then harnessing that network to take action. 

For the last two years, Land to Table has held winter forums attended by producers, processors, distributors, restaurateurs, chefs, retailers, food waste managers, engaged consumers, government agencies, not-for-profits, academics and more. 

“The forums are really key for us. We’re trying to tackle some really big, complex ideas each year and then break it down into different pieces that our action teams then go away to execute on,” says Blakeway.  

Actions and ideas to come out of those forums include:

  • GAP Canada certification so producers meet requirements to have large-scale distributors, for example, buy and re-sell their produce, a workshop that has already been hosted twice at Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO)
  • How to get more food into local restaurants and institutions, such as colleges and the university
  • A food hub project that would explore bringing local produce together for collective sale, storage and distribution 
  • A way to measure the progress and strength of the regional food system with data from area food processors around who is producing what and where is it going
  • A report on consumer attitudes around buying local food to find out what barriers exist and opportunities to overcome them

Blakeway says participation in the forums, steering committee and action teams has been strong, a sign that Land to Table’s work is timely, relevant and important to the various partners. 

“These people are so, so busy, but they see the potential and opportunity in the work that they’re doing, and we say, ‘This is your network. We want to support the ideas and energy you have for these different pieces, so tell us how we can do that.’” 

“It (that strong commitment) demonstrates the importance and validity of what we’re doing—that we can connect to people and complete projects—but it’s also important for stakeholders who said, no more talk. So it’s a fine balance between network building and getting things done.” 

Because of the importance of the work and the need to take complementary priority actions forward, the Regional District of the North Okanagan’s electoral area advisory committee saw a link with Land to Table’s work and funded Blakeway’s coordinator position, a unique and promising step. 

“There are a lot of food systems societies popping up in BC but funding is a challenge, so we’re very fortunate that our regional district wants to support this work. 

Support for Land to Table has also come from Community Futures North Okanagan, which is acting as a backbone organization, providing important administrative and business planning assistance. 

“Even more than that, they create a home base for the Land to Table steering committee to meet and host important stakeholder and network meetings,” says Blakeway, adding CFNO also plays an integral role in Land to Table’s ability to apply for grant funding as well as offer training and workshops to network members, such as the GAP Canada certification. “These are all such important pieces of our function and success as a network.”

Kazia Mullin, Business Services Coordinator, CFNO, says it makes sense for Community Futures to provide foundational support for a network that’s supporting the local food economy. 

“There are so many strong economic development opportunities here, so our business services team is happy to be supporting Land to Table as it begins to take bigger and bigger steps in growing local connections to food.”

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_4380.jpg 2448 3264 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2019-05-28 09:55:102019-05-28 09:55:10Land to Table in action: CFNO supports food systems network

For the Love of Trees

May 7, 2019/in Success Story

Like the Lorax from Dr. Seuss’ famed fable of the same name, you could say that Caitlyn Snyder speaks for the trees. She not only loves trees, like the Lorax, but she also has a penchant for bright colours, which is evident from the very pink wood chipper that is attached to her new work truck.

Snyder was able to purchase the truck thanks to the business loan she received from Community Futures North Okanagan.

The truck is essential to the work Snyder does as an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board Certified Master Arborist. The owner of Wise Wood Tree Care Ltd., Snyder performs tasks such as tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, and tree surgery. She also practices something she likes to call “tree-cycling.”

“We utilize all the material that we take from the landscape and recycle it to make mulch and even furniture,” says Snyder, who has a sawmill, firewood plant and lathe on her 12-acre property in Lumby, BC. “I really care about trees, and I always encourage proper tree care and maintenance. That’s why I believe people should always hire a properly trained and insured arborist.”


“I really care about trees, and I always encourage proper tree care and maintenance. That’s why I believe people should always hire a properly trained and insured arborist.”

Caitlyn Snyder

Surviving Mother Nature

Snyder’s love of trees has taken her all over the world. From Calgary originally, she started landscaping when she was 18 years old. Her love of adventure and warmer climates eventually took her to Australia and New Zealand, where she lived for two years and worked as a tree consultant, silviculturist, and tree surgeon.

With her visa expiring, Snyder decided to return home to Alberta, where she finished her diploma in environmental horticulture at Olds College, majoring in arboriculture. She then moved to Vancouver, where she worked for a tree company, before moving to Vernon.

“I had just moved here when I was offered a job as parks technician with the forestry department up in Wood Buffalo near Fort McMurray. I was up there for a year and a half and worked on a huge transplant project in downtown Fort Mac before all the trees perished in the 2016 wildfire.”

It was around then that Snyder decided to seek greener pastures.

A Hand Up

Snyder started Wise Wood Tree Care four years ago after securing her property in Lumby. Named the best home-based business in 2016 and in 2018 at the Lumby District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, Snyder has seen her business grow from the ground up.

However, she recently had to seek help when her first work truck started giving her mechanical trouble.

Referred to Community Futures, which offers loans to new and existing businesses, Snyder met with loans advisor Scot McNair and filled out a loan application.

“With the type of equipment I run, I need a truck that is outfitted with a boom and bucket as well as a dump box, so that we can carry all the wood waste from the tree removals and prunings,” explains Snyder. “This was an amazing opportunity to be able to get a new truck from the help of Community Futures.”

Climbing her Way Up

Snyder not only runs a successful business but she also competes as a tree climber, and has been a judge for the Pacific Northwest and the Prairie chapters of the ISA.

She is about to demonstrate her tree-climbing prowess to the rest of Canada when she makes her TV debut on the CBC-TV comedy show, Still Standing.

A TV crew, along with the show’s host Jonny Harris, recently visited Snyder’s property when the show was filmed in Lumby.

“I taught Jonny how to climb a tree,” laughs Snyder.

The episode is expected to air during Season 5 of the series.

In the meantime, you can find Snyder doing what she loves best — caring for trees and driving her new truck with the distinctive pink wood chipper.

 Are you looking to expand or add to your business? Community Futures Business Services is available to those who want to start a new business or take an existing business to the next level. CFNO also offers business loans for most business-related purposes, including start-ups, seasonal requirements, working capital, and expansions. To learn more, contact our Lumby office at 250-547-6483 or in Vernon, call 250-545-2215.

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Caitlyn-new.jpg 1333 1000 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2019-05-07 09:10:302019-05-07 09:10:30For the Love of Trees

Community Futures Names Thompson-Okanagan Export Advisor

May 1, 2019/in News

Thompson-Okanagan business owners interested in exporting their products will now have the chance to receive guidance at every step from an experienced business leader and CEO coach. Community Futures North Okanagan has named Ken MacLeod as Export Advisor for the region’s Export Navigator program.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide clients with this caliber of support,” says Leigha Horsfield, general manager, Community Futures North Okanagan. “We look forward to the continued success of this program as entrepreneurs connect with Ken to grow their markets beyond BC.”

Export Navigator assists businesses already exporting and those with export potential as they access new business market opportunities and develop strategies to innovate, grow and enhance their competitiveness in BC and internationally. With support from the Province through the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, and the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification, and in partnership with Small Business BC, North Okanagan entrepreneurs can now receive enhanced support with a locally based Export Advisor.

MacLeod is an accredited Family Enterprise Advisor and an experienced entrepreneur, innovator, business leader and CEO coach.  His corporate, franchise and family business experience in Canada, United States and Asia makes him ideally suited to support the Export Navigator clients.

“I’m looking forward to helping companies achieve success by identifying and building new markets, innovating next-generation products and services, and championing the best in business thinking.”

Ken MacLeod
Ken MacLeod

“This role aligns so well with my vision because I really am passionate about advancing support for small business entrepreneurs in BC,” says MacLeod, who has also been active in the community as past Director and then President of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Director on the BC Chamber of Commerce and has held seats on several for-profit and not-for-profit boards.

“I’m looking forward to helping companies achieve success by identifying and building new markets, innovating next-generation products and services, and championing the best in business thinking.”

Export Navigator provides essential services at no cost to qualified businesses that will receive a personalized, step-by-step approach to exporting as well as assistance to connect their business to available market information, export programs, financial services, and business development experts at every stage of the process.

MacLeod will offer Export Navigator assistance to clients across the Okanagan Valley as well as parts of the Thompson and Shuswap regions.

Export Navigator Services include:

– Expert advice and guidance throughout the entire process
– An export readiness assessment and business needs assessment
– Market entry strategy support
– Market tools and information
– Streamlined service connections to support services

Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about Export Navigator can visit https://smallbusinessbc.ca/export-navigator/.

For more information, please contact:

Ken MacLeod, FEA  

Export Advisor, North Okanagan Region, Export Navigator

Community Futures North Okanagan

250-306-5915

Ken@exportnavigator.ca

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Ken-MacLeod-e1567183768549.jpg 143 113 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2019-05-01 11:48:532019-05-01 11:48:53Community Futures Names Thompson-Okanagan Export Advisor

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From our office in downtown Vernon, Community Futures North Okanagan offers employment, business and economic development services to help residents build their future and the community. We service Armstrong, Coldstream, Enderby, Grindrod, Lavington, Lumby, Mara, Okanagan Indian Band,  Spallumcheen, Splatsin and Vernon.

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