June 2017

Small farm expo postponed

by Tamara Leigh

SURREY – Organizers of a new educational forum for small lot growers have cancelled the June event and are rescheduling for April 2018.

The event promised two days of learning sessions and exhibits for the modern homesteader and while the educational program filled in quickly, organizers found exhibitors and other partners needed more lead time to make the show work.

Grow & Gather Farm Expo

“We want to give value to the speakers and exhibitors but with starting our planning in April, we were already too late and many of our exhibitors were already booked,” explains Bill Hardy, one of the founders and organizers. “As much as it hurt to pull plug and reschedule, we think it’s the wisest. That gives us a year to start working with groups so we can secure them for next time.”

New dates for Grow & Gather will be announced soon. Organizers are working with the Cloverdale Agriplex to find a date in April after receiving feedback that June was too late for many suppliers and gardeners.

“June has worked really well for this type of show in other areas but the suppliers we spoke to said that earlier in the year is better in this area,” says Hardy. “Our ideal timing would be in mid-April around Earth Day.”

“The other benefit of scheduling it earlier means we can fill the lull between when the winter markets finish and summer markets begin,” he adds.

According to Hardy, all of the speakers have reconfirmed for 2018, including headliner Curtis Stone from Green City Acres in Kelowna. The delay also has the support of the agricultural advisory committees and other partners that organizers have been working with.

As disappointing as it is to wait another year, Hardy and his team are invested in taking the time to bring a high-quality exhibition and educational event to the Lower Mainland.

“We want this event to take off and be a success for years to come,” says Hardy.

For more information about the 2018 Grow & Gather Farm Expo, visit [growandgatherfarmexpo.com].