Kootenay & Boundary - Overview

The Kootenay and Boundary regions feature high mountain slopes and wide, fertile valleys. The relatively remote location creates strong local demand and is fueling an emerging processing sector that produces added-value meat, honey, fruit, dairy, wine, and wool.

Growing conditions

The Kootenay & Boundary regions have moderate climates, allowing for a wide range of crops. Higher mountain areas provide grazing for a large beef cattle sector, while the Creston Valley produces abundant crops.

Crops, livestock and food processing

Products include apples, cherries and other tree fruits, tomatoes, vegetables, forage, forage seeds, cereals and oilseeds. In addition to summer Crown-land grazing, the cattle sector is supported by forage crops, which grow well in the river valleys. Livestock production in this region includes extensive beef and dairy cattle production as well as poultry, goats and specialty livestock like llamas.

Local Kootenay information

Find out more specific information about the Kootenay agricultural region:

• Industry contacts
• Local planning
• Soil and nutrients

Regional agrologists

Jeff Nimmo - Kootenays
Telephone: 778-666-0568
Email: Jeffrey.Nimmo@gov.bc.ca

Lindsay Hainstock – Boundary Country
Telephone: 250 485-7859
Email: Lindsay.Hainstock@gov.bc.ca

Resources

The ministry has developed regional guides as a resource for producers, on-the ground researchers, and consultants to reflect on the climate issues challenging environmental sustainability and local farm businesses and food production.

• Regional Guidebook – Kootenay Boundary (PDF, 4.6 MB)
• The Kootenay Soil Building Network (KSBN) is an ongoing project in partnership with the Kootenay Boundary Farm Advisors.  The network uses online virtual meetings and on farm demonstrative work to help share knowledge and improve soil health in our region. 
  • Webinar series (recordings of past meetings via YouTube): 

    • Introduction to Kootenay Soil Building Network

      The first in the webinar series includes hearing from the farms that will be ongoing case studies in the project, discussion on soil texture, soil building indicators and questions from producers on project.

       

    • Nitrogen Availability

      Webinar hosted by Kootenay Soil Building Network strategies to measure N availability and discussion on testing methods including nitrogen availability from different input sources.

    • Compost Quality and Quantity

      Third webinar in series from Kootenay Soil Building Network with Dieter Geesing from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Soil Team discussing what to look out for when purchasing compost and the pros and cons of having compost as a farm’s primary farm input for fertility management.

  • More resources from the network  
• From Loss to Recovery: Managing Cherry Orchards After Winter Damage.  A video summary of management strategies from field visits in the Creston Valley and Okanagan - after significant winter damage in 2024. 

  • Managing Cherry Orchards After Winter Damage

    This video discusses the 2024 cherry crop winter damage and provides information to manage loss and to plan for next year’s crop.

AgriService BC - Kootenay & Boundary regional newsletter

Learn about what's happening and opportunities in our region! Sign up for the monthly AgriService BC: Kootenay & Boundary regional newsletter

• Previous editions
• Sign up