Fresh Valley Farms will host Pastured Pig and Poultry Production on the Small-Scale Farm, a full day of hands-on learning this September, and we are excited to share the details. On September 8, 2024, the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association (SSMPA) will join us in Armstrong, BC for a workshop focused on raising pigs and poultry on pasture. This event runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and will offer a full mix of demonstrations, farm tours, field discussions, and practical tools that producers can bring home to their own farms.
This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about rotational grazing, regenerative agriculture, biosecurity, and small-scale livestock systems. Farmers who raise pigs or poultry outdoors will find lots of value, and newcomers will get insight into what is possible when good management meets smart technology.
Participants will tour Fresh Valley Farms and see how we raise certified organic cattle, pigs, and poultry across 300 acres of crop fields and mountainside pasture. Steve and Annelise will walk through their grazing systems, fencing setups, and the new Rovabarn, a solar-powered chicken barn designed to support daily moves and healthier pasture. The day will include presentations and discussions on:
- Moving pigs and poultry in a rotational system
- Fencing for pigs and poultry
- Managing feed and water outdoors
- Housing infrastructure
- Cover crops
- Animal health
- Predator pressure
- Processing options and regulations
This event offers a full look at how small-scale livestock producers can combine tradition and innovation to build resilient, pasture-based farms. The day also provides a chance to connect with other producers from across the region.
Participants are asked to arrive with clean, disinfected clothing and footwear for biosecurity.
About Fresh Valley Farms
Fresh Valley Farms is a fourth-generation family farm located in the unceded Secwépemc territory known as Armstrong Spallumcheen. Certified Organic since 2020, the farm raises pork, beef, eggs, and broiler chickens in an outdoor pasture system that supports natural animal behaviours and long-term soil health. Much of the meat is processed on-farm through a Provincially Inspected poultry abattoir and a Farmgate Plus pork facility. Steve Meggait and Annelise Grube-Cavers manage the farm with a strong focus on regenerative practices, animal welfare, and community-based food systems.
About SSMPA
The Small-Scale Meat Producers Association was formed in 2018 to support farmers raising meat outside of industrial supply chains. Through education, regional programming, and a strong membership network, SSMPA works to help small-scale producers across BC thrive.
Event Support
This event is supported by the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF). Funding has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund and is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation.
Registration
Registration is open now. Details are available here:
If you want to learn new skills, meet other producers, and spend a day on a working regenerative livestock farm, this field day is the place to be.
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