Workshops
Fruit Tree Management and Pruning
Course ID: HGGP 001
Would you like to be able to confidently prune your own fruit trees? Join Bernie Dinter to gain a basic understanding of how to manage and prune fruit trees to keep them healthy and productive for many years. This workshop will include a presentation in the classroom (St. Ann's building) and a demonstration in the orchard at Providence Farm.
Guest Instructor: Bernie Dinter
February 7, 2026 | 9 am to 12 pm
Fee: $45 + GST
Register for Fruit Tree Management and Pruning
Backyard Chickens – How to Have a Healthy Flock
Course ID: HGCE 001
Would you like to learn more about keeping your backyard chickens happy and healthy? This workshop will provide you with an introduction to:
- breed selection
- housing
- protection from predators
- feed requirements
- health concerns
- biosecurity
This workshop will be held at the Cowichan campus in the Lecture Theatre (room 140).
February 14, 2026 | 9 am to 1 pm
Fee: $60 + GST
Register for Backyard Chickens
Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping
Course ID: HGBK 001
Are you interested in becoming a beekeeper, or are you new to raising bees? In this course, you will learn about tools and equipment, pests and diseases of the honeybee, and other essentials for the first years of beekeeping. In addition, this workshop will explore the top pollinator plants that you could establish to provide forage for honeybees and other native pollinators.
Guest Instructor: Gordon MacKay
This workshop will be held at the Cowichan campus in the Lecture Theatre (room 140).
February 21, 2026 | 9 am to 12 pm
Fee: $45 + GST
Register for Backyard Beekeeping
How to Prevent and Prepare for Fires on your Farm
Course ID: BAYF 001
Join a local farmer and representatives from the FireSmart Program at Emergency Management Cowichan (CVRD) to learn how to apply FireSmart principles to farm properties. Proactive planning and implementation of FireSmart activities is proven to increase the resiliency of farms to wildfire and other hazards. It will also improved human and livestock safety. This half-day workshop will be held at a working farm to examine typical at-risk structures and landscapes in detail.
After a short presentation on the program and services available specifically for farmers, there will be an outdoor workshop with a number of themed stations:
- farm house hazard mitigation
- outbuilding hazard mitigation
- landscape management
- forest edge fuel reduction.
In addition to planning and mitigation, the workshop will also address other topics such as response, evacuation and recovery.
February 28, 2026 | 9 am to 12 pm
Fee: $15 + GST
Register for How to Prevent and Prepare for Fires on your Farm
Basic Maintenance and Operation of Farm Equipment
Course ID: SWIC 011
Would you like to increase productivity, decrease machine down time, and limit costly repairs? This course will review practices used in the maintenance, preventative maintenance, and operation of farm equipment.
Your instructor will discuss the engine cooling system, engine lubrication system, engine fuel system, engine air system, electrical system, transmission and hydraulic systems, tires and ballasting, proper attachment of towed implements, implement drive lines (PTO), fuels, oils and lubricants, blade sharpening and more.
Guest Instructor: John Spencer
March 7, 2026 | 9 am to 1 pm
Fee: $60 + GST
Register for Basic Maintenance and Operation of Farm Equipment
Bee Biology and Identification
Course ID: HGBL 001
Have you always wanted to know how to ID the amazing diversity of bees buzzing around your flowers? Where do they nest, what do they eat, and how can you support them? Join our Bee Biology and Identification workshop!
This two-day session will start in the classroom to provide you with identification strategies for common native bees, as well as in depth information on their nesting, overwintering, and flower preferences! The following day we will go on a "Bee Quest", exploring local natural areas and observing bees and their habitat in the field.
This workshop is suitable for beginner to intermediate students and will focus on recognizing common bumble bee species and common solitary bee genera. We will be examining bee specimens using low magnification digital microscopes, focusing on features that can be observed in the field and in photographs. In the field we will discuss the use of iNaturalist and the NBSBC's BC Bee Atlas as tools for supporting native bees. We will also look for examples of important native bee habitat features and discuss practical habitat conservation measures that community members can take.
Guest Instructor: Bonnie Zand
Day one of this workshop will be held at the Cowichan campus in room 130. Day two will be at an outdoor location (to be announced).
May 9, 2026 | 9 am to 4:30 pm
May 10, 2026 | 10 am to 3 pm
Fee: $300 + GST
Questions?
For questions about any of these workshops, email PDTCowichan@viu.ca.
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