1992 - The Beginning
Accomplishments:
Due to the intensive efforts of several "forage keen" livestock producers in the BC Peace River country in the fall of 1991 & winter/spring of 1992, the Forage Association came into being officially in July 1992. These efforts included talking to alot of people thought to be interested in forages, development of a 200 person bonafide mailing list and several mailouts to a prospective interested farmers, ranchers and resource agency people. This was strictly a grass roots, producer driven effort from day one.

The objective of all these efforts was to create a chapter of the BC Forage Council and through this association , greatly enhance forage knowledge among local producers. Mark Grafton, President of BCFC and Dave Merz, Past President of BCFC were both supportive of these pre-association activities.

Board of Directors:

President - Glenn Hogberg
Vice President - Steve Shipton
Sec/Treasurer - Ernest Nimitz
Director - Harvey Wiles
Director - Arnold Bennett
Director - Jim Scafe

1993 - Officially Recognized
Accomplishments:
Forage Variety trials established in Peace region.
Jim Forbes was instrumental as an advisor.
Partnered with BC Forage Council.
Glenn Hogberg became first chair of our active R&D committee.
Presentation about the vision & protocol of Long Term Forage Productivity Benchmarks Project.
Association received the official Certificate of Incorporation on March 29, 1993.
R&D report included proposed Pasture Production Record.

Board of Directors:

President - Glenn Hogberg
Vice President - Steve Shipton
Sec/Treasurer - Ernest Nimitz
Director - Harvey Wiles
Director - Arnold Bennett
Director - Jim Scafe

1994-Dana Bentley Hired
Accomplishments:
The PRFA contributed to the BCFC Forage strategy that is province wide. We had a very impressive speaker, Dr. Daphne T. Faireywho expressed her feelings on the importamce pf forages in companionship with conserving the environment. And this year, our very own Bob Tubb was elected the President of the B.C. Forage Council.

Board of Directors:

President: Steve Shipton
Vice President: Brian Turner
Secretary/Tresurer: Ernest Nimitz
Director: Keith Weaver
Director: Walter Fritsche
BCFC Rep: Bob Tubb
Executive: Glenn Hogberg


1995- Year Of The Logo

Accomplishments:
Forage variety and cultivar testing will be allowed to continue on in the Peace River Block.  Although many other projects could be canceled if funding is not available.  Goals and objectives of the PRFA of BC have been defined.  “Encouraging the maximum net profit for each and every member” is the motto of the year.  A comparison on bloat control was conducted, and a seminar was held to inform people of holistic management.   This year’s forage tour was held in Groundbirch and Progress; with stops at the Groundbirch community pasture, Hogbergs ranch and the Bentley’s Ranch.   This was the year the Moo Cow Three Step became all the rage.

1995 Board Of Directors

President: Keith Weaver
Vice President: Walter Fritsche
Treasurer: Glenn Hogberg
Secretary: Ernest Nimitz
B.C.F.C. Rep: Bob Tubb
Director: Ernie Fuhr
Director: Steve Shipton

1996 - First Tour To Alberta

Accomplishments:
Good animal health + good forage crop management seminar was held this year in Taylor.  Topics such as Stored forage, the tools needed to improve forage quality, and calving management tips were just a few that were discussed.  The activities of the association this year include participation in forage variety trials, hosting the BCFC AGM trade fair and will also be sponsoring a low stress animal handling seminar.  

1996 - Board Of Directors

President: Keith Weaver
Vice President: Don Pedersen
Treasurer: Glenn Hogberg
Secretary: Ernest Nimitz
Director:  Bob Tubb
Director:  Ben Hansen
Director: Horst David

1997 - PRRD Wildlife Committee

Accomplishments:
The cattle industry development council and prairie farm rehabilitation administration assisting with forage projects.  There was a livestock watering demonstration in partnership with the PFRA that promotes that development of sustainable watering systems in the B.C. Peace River Country.  Other activities that the association was involved in this year were the Western Canadian Grazing Conference, the Ryecroft forage seminar as well as the wildlife policy committee. 

1997 Board Of Directors

 President: Keith Weaver
Vice President: Don Pedersen
Treasurer: Glenn Hogberg
Secretary: Ernest Nimitz
Director:  Bob Tubb
Director:  Ben Hansen
Director: Horst David

1998 - First PRAD Funds

Accomplishments:
The theme for this year’s forage tour was the economic offsite livestock water development as well as the intensive management with controlled grazing of livestock.  The area that will be toured will be the Tomslake district. The winter forage seminar highlights was the discussion on “how to increase  your net farm and ranch profits with forage farming”.  The Ryecroft, Alberta seminar had a theme of “utilizing alternative feed sources and feeding low quality roughage”.

1998 Board Of Directors

President: Don Pederson
Vice President: Phil Haight
Treasurer: Glenn Hogberg
Secretary: Ernest Nimitz
Director:  Bob Tubb
Director:  Ben Hansen
Director: Brian Clark

1999 - Environmental Award

Accomplishments:
To date, this years convention was the most sucessful in our history The theme being "Making Money by Keeping Our Calves a Home and Grazing and Marketing our Lush Forage Resources" The attendees went home with a clearer definition of what it takes to produce and utilize forage for profit. The forage tour this year was a 2 day journey with the desitnation locked on the Westlock-Barrhead area of Alberta. Our Association was presented with the Environmental Stewardship Award at the 71st Annual General Meeting. This award recognizes excellent environmental management associated with livestock and forage operations.

1999 Board Of Directors

President: Arnold Bennet
Vice President: Doug Bentley
Treasurer: Bill Wilson
Secretary: Ernest Nimitz
Director: Fred Burres
Director: Micheal Cowger
Director: John Kendrew

2000 - Forage Management For The New Millennium

Accomplishments:
The annual summer tour was held in the Peace River Valley, with stops at the McKnight Ranch, Rich Sewell's Seed Farm as well as a tour of Hudsons Hope. This year was out first fundraiser; and we raised several thousand dollars that will be used for research development, demonstrations and communitcations projects.

2000 - Board of Directors

President: Arnold Bennet
Vice President: Doug Bentley
Treasurer: Bill Wilson
Secretary: Ernest Nimitz
Director: Fred Burres
Director: Micheal Cowger
Director: John Kendrew

2001 - Wildlife Agricultural Symposium

Accomplishments:
In January a wildlife ag. sypmosium was held in Charlie Lake and was well recieved. The eclectic group of speakers were all on the same page, and looking for a solution that will be benificial to everyone involved. Also this year The PFRA held a Riperian Workshop, to extend out knowledge on healthy and unhealthy stream banks.

2001- Board of Directors

President: Arnold Bennet
Vice President: Doug Bentley
Treasurer: Bill Wilson
Secretary: Ernest Nimitz
Director: Fred Burres
Director: Micheal Cowger
Director: John Kendrew

2002 - Swath Grazing at Mile Zero
Accomplishments:
This year the theme for the PRFA seminar was -40 and Over 80:Pasture and Woodland Management. The swath grazing trial has provided some interesting cattle economics. With sustaintial monetary savings, and minimal usage of equipment in the cold harsh weather this might just catch on. Climate Change, global warming and environmental sustainability; these are the hot topics of the year.

2002 - Board of Directors

President: Chuck Sutherland
Vice President: Glenn Hogberg
Treasurer: Bill Wilson
Secretary: John Kendrew
Director: Ernest Nimitz
Director: Fred Burres
Director: Pat Gerlinsky

2003 - The Year of Environmental Farm Plans

Acomplishments:
Holisitc management and it's ecological, economical equilibrium have us intrigued enough to impliment the environmental farm planning system. Great Northern Marshmellow Farmers strongly feel a change in trend is going to happen. A geninue thank you to the members that have been invovled with our association for 10 years. Without your cooperation and support, the information we strive for would be unattainable.

2003 - Board of Directors

President: Chuck Sutherland
Vice President: Ernest Nimitz
Treasurer: Bill Wilson
Secretary: Micheal Cowger
Director: Sarah Davies
Director: John Kendrew
Director: Pat Gerlinsky

2004 -Ernest Nimitz Retires

Acomplishments:
This year Jim Forbes has instructed two courses that provides us with feeding strategies for our herds. Forage Goods & Services Auction is back! Ernest Nimitz retired this year; and he will surely be missed by everyone. A big thank you to Ernest and his family for all of your hard work and dedication over the years.

2004 - Board of Directors

President: Chuck Sutherland
Vice President: Darwin Linford
Treasurer: Bill Wilson
Secretary:Sarah Daveis
Director: Micheal Cowger
Director: John Kendrew
Director: Ernest Nimitz

2005 - Atlantic Open Farm Day

Accomplishments:
A genuine thank you to the Nimitz family for all of your hard work and dedication to the Forage First publications over the years.  The Environmental farm plan received a lot of positive feedback from the producers in this area. The Cattle Industry Development Council visited the North Peace.  Atlantic Farm Day 2005.  Summer Forage Tour was a 2 day trip this year, and was hosted in Grande Prairie and surrounding areas.

2005 Board of Directors

President – Chuck Sutherland
Vice President – Rick Kantz
Treasurer – Bill Wilson
Secretary – Sarah Davies
Director – John Kendrew
Director – Aron Collins
Director – Pat Gerlinsky

2006 - Walkerton Visits The Peace

Accomplishments:
Explanation of the age verification tags for producers and how to get birth certificates registered. This year there has been an increase in Environmental Farm Plan Usage (EFP).  Producers are eligible to receive a 50% funding cost break on offsite watering systems, and this in turn will aid in keeping Riparian areas clean.  There has been an increase in wildlife/producer conflict; therefore there has been a project developed to monitor the amount of loss due to wildlife interference.  A seminar was hosted to inform the public about the basic tools for grazing management.
This year the summer forage tour was held in the Peace region, and had a fair turn out. 

2006 Board of Directors

President –Rick Kantz
Vice President – Chuck Sutherland
Treasurer – Bill Wilson
Secretary – Sarah Davies
Director – John Kendrew
Director – Deryle Griffith
Director – Pat Gerlinsky

2007 - Sustainable Grazing Mentorship

Accomplishments:
At the Annual General Meeting Rick Kantz and Jim Collins gave a talk about dealings with the Oil and Gas industry. Items such as new tenure grazing applications, range use plans and range stewardship plans were also discussed at the meeting.   Wildlife damage, and participation.  Dale Hansen (Van Han Apiaries) was awarded with the Fred Rathje Memorial Award.    The phenomenon of disappearing bees discussed.  There were changes to the hunting regulations this year for mule deer.  A how to guide on grazing chickens.  Julie Robinson moves to the ministry of agriculture and lands starting Sept. 07. A pasture school seminar was held to focus on custom and yearling grazing.  The Summer forage tour was held in the North Peace this year and a lot of local issues, such as the site C dam were discussed.  There was a Bio-diesel workshop hosted by Rex Newkirk of the Canadian International grains institute to discuss the usage of this bio-fuel.  There is a detailed update by Rick Kantz about his composting project. 

2007 Board Of Directors

President –Rick Kantz
Vice President – Chuck Sutherland
Treasurer – Bill Wilson
Secretary – Sarah Davies
Director – John Kendrew
Director – Deryle Griffith
Director – Pat Gerlinsky

2008 - Integrated Brush Management

Accomplishments:
Soil biology: Composting and compost tea has many people interested in our region, and we are trying our best to keep everyone updated and informed about new information as it gets brought to our attention; stay tuned.  BC sustainable grazing mentorship program updates.  Lowlander 75, an innovation in manure maneuvering. Two summer students join us this year, Kim Schlaepfer with the MOAL and Vicki Moser with the PRFA, and the PRFSA. A fond farewell to Barb Cowger, Ernie Fuhr, and Mark Nimitz.  There has been a lot of buzz about sheep; with articles that range from how to raise sheep to humane slaughtering services.  Information about integrated brush management is also provided.   Bio-control insect options can help control noxious, invasive weeds like scentless chamomile. 

2008 Board of Directors

President –Rick Kantz
Vice President –Deryle Griffith
Treasurer – Bill Wilson
Secretary – Sarah Davies
Director – John Kendrew
Director – Pat Gerlinsky
Director –Chuck Sutherland

2009 - The Creation Of Our Own Compost Tea Brewing Station.

Accomplishments:
There have been substantial changes to our website, please feel free to browse around.  Over 300 producers attended the Western Canadian Grazing Conference and Trade Show that was held in Edmonton.  Topics such as training animals to eat undesirable vegetation were one of the highlights of this seminar.  This year the summer students along with Deryle Griffith have been developing a compost tea brewer, the information, trials and errors will be updated in forage facts.

2009 Board Of Directors
 
President –Rick Kantz
Vice President –Deryle Griffith
Treasurer – Bill Wilson
Secretary – Sarah Davies
Director – John Kendrew
Director – Pat Gerlinsky
Director –Chuck Sutherland