Introduced bumble bee species thrives, causing concern about native pollinators in Lower Mainland

Introduced bumble bee species thrives, causing concern about native pollinators in Lower Mainland

Introduced bumble bee species thrives, causing concern about native pollinators in Lower Mainland

Illustration of a large bee climbing onto Vancouver's Science World

Photo: Khushi Anand / The Ubyssey

October 8, 2024

Recent research from UBC’s Plant-Pollinator and Global Change (PPGC) Lab revealed notable decreases in the local western bumble bee population, with a non-native species dominating the area. The common eastern bumble bee — or Bombus impatiens — was first introduced to the region in the 1990s to pollinate in greenhouses. Melissa Platsko, a recent MSc graduate from the PPGC Lab, said recorded sightings started in 2003.

Since then, B. impatiens has become one of the most popular species of bees in the region, making up as many as “about 40 to 50 per cent proportionally of the bees” Platsko and her team catch in surveys.

In terms of ways to get involved, Platsko encouraged individuals to go to local pollinator events, such as UBC Farm’s Pollinator Walks and Bee Safaris, to learn about bees in the Lower Mainland as well as to native garden events where people can learn about and plant local flowers that can support all pollinators in the region.

Read the full article at The Ubyssey.

‘So much mental load’: Mothers speak about school lunches

‘So much mental load’: Mothers speak about school lunches

Child grabbing a cracker from a lunch box that contains chicken, fruits, and snacks.

Photo: Pexels/Katerina Holmes

September 11, 2024

CSFS Associate and land and food systems professor Dr. Jennifer Black and alum Seri Niimi-Burch wrote about their study on mothers’ experiences with packing school lunches.

“These mothers taught us about the complex physical, mental and emotional work needed to provide a “good” school lunch. This included trying to live up to high expectations related to sending healthy and balanced meals that were also tasty and enjoyed by children.”

Read the full article at The Conversation.

UBC Farm Practicum Application Form

2026 Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture - Application

Program Dates

For the 2026 program, we have two options for program enrollment dates. The majority of spaces available in the program will be for the full program: April 16 – October 24, 2026.

In addition, we will have limited spaces available for a summer-only option: April 16 – August 22. This option is primarily intended to serve university students with scheduling conflicts; however, people in other circumstances may also be considered. Since there will be few spaces for this option, we encourage you to only apply for this option if your schedule truly prohibits you from attending the full program.

Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis

Applications will be accepted until the spots are filled. As spots are limited, please apply early. We will reach out to you for an interview if you have been selected. Interviews will begin early November.

Application Fee

An application fee of $40 CAD is required for your submission to be considered. The payment link will be in the email confirmation after you submit your application.

Bursary

Participating in the UBC Farm Practicum program does not provide eligibility for student financial aid. However, we will be offering bursaries to applicants on a rolling basis. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of receiving a bursary! If you are interested in a bursary, please answer the question in this form.

Additional questions?

If you have additional questions about the program, we invite you to review the details available on our website. If you are an international student and have questions regarding applying: yes, we do accept applications from international students; however, unfortunately, we're unable to assist in questions regarding immigration, visa, etc. For other inquiries, please contact Katherine Aske, Practicum Coordinator: katherine.aske@ubc.ca

Only completed applications will be considered. A full application consists of:

  • Completed application form  (You are able to save and continue your application later)
  • $40 application fee (to be paid online after submission of the application form)
  • Your current resume
  • Listing of two references. Professional and/or academic references are required. If you have both professional and academic references, we prefer recent professional references when possible, although recent academic references are also acceptable. Please include their name, title (if applicable), relationship to applicant, mailing address, email address and phone number. Please do not ask them to send us a letter.
   

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 4

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
What is your gender identity?*

Date of Birth*
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Mailing Address*
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Email

Apply UBC Farm Practicum! Applications open Sept. 1.

The UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture is a six-month experiential learning program that provides an introduction to small-scale organic mixed vegetable farming for sale through direct markets. It is designed for aspiring farmers and community food growers, as well as those seeking to deepen their understanding of the food system and the pursuit of food sovereignty.

End of Summer Picnic @ UBC Farm

Silk, Great Value plant-based beverages recalled across Canada

Silk, Great Value plant-based beverages recalled across Canada

Silk and Great Value plant-based beverage cartons

Silk and Great Value plant-based beverages. Photo credit: Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

July 16, 2024

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has recalled a selection of plant-based drinks after discovering they could be contaminated with listeria.

CSFS Associate and Land and food systems professor Dr. Siyun Wang said while listeria isn’t as common as other food-borne bacteria like salmonella or E. coli, its mortality rate can be as high as 30 per cent.

Read the full article at CBC News or Yahoo News.

Long Table Dinner


UBC Farm Long Table Dinner

An enchanted evening in the poplar grove

For one night only, join Executive Chef David Speight and the exceptional Sage Catering team at this magical farm to table dinner — right here at the UBC Farm.



August 13, 2026

5:00-9:00 p.m.

(Farm tour included)

$275

Pre-sale starts May 30, Public sale June 3

Want advance tickets?

Become a Member of the UBC Farm!

To ensure you get tickets next year for this highly coveted event, become a member! Members get advanced presale access and then presale access goes to our CSA members. Last year we sold out before we even got to our newsletter subscribers, so don’t delay!


Diners sitting at long tables outdoors between trees under twinkly lights.

About the Long Table Dinner

Following the wildly successful events of previous years, the UBC Farm Long Table Dinner returns with an enchanting multi-course, family-style meal featuring the exquisite organic produce grown at the UBC Farm.

Enjoy a warm summer evening under twinkling lights at long tables set between rows of trees in the poplar grove, while our team treats you to a full-service menu celebrating the seasonal bounty of UBC Farm and local food producers.

Tickets include dinner, one beverage and canapés on arrival. We will have a cashless bar open with selections of local wine and beer. Menu may change before the event to maximize in-season ingredients. A Farm Tour (optional) will take place before dinner.

Preview last year’s menu to get a sense of what’s in store!
Servers bringing in dishes of food through a UBC Farm field.

You may notice that our ticket price has increased more this year than in previous years. This reflects an increase in the cost of food and equipment and ensures that employees are paid a fair wage. All net proceeds, after covering expenses, will go directly to supporting the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at the UBC Farm and the construction of our new Farm Building! The new UBC Farm building will meet the growing demands of the community, supporting research and hands-on learning to shape a more resilient and equitable future. We sincerely appreciate your support!

This event is proudly brought to you by the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, Sage Catering, and UBC Food Services.

About the UBC Farm

The UBC Farm is the Centre for Sustainable Food System’s main research, teaching and learning space, located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. Situated within a 90-year-old coastal hemlock forest, the 24-hectare UBC Farm was started by students in 2001 and since then the integrated organic farm and forest ecosystem has become a key site of agroecological research and education as well as an important Vancouver food hub.

The UBC Farm is certified organic and features annual crop fields, perennial hedgerows and orchards, Indigenous-led gardens, and forest stands. We cultivate over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

David Speight, Executive Chef, preparing food at the UBC Farm.

David Speight, UBC Culinary Director and Executive Chef


About the Chef

David Speight is a homegrown Vancouver talent who has been cooking professionally for the past twenty-five years. He is a graduate of culinary programs both locally at Vancouver Community College as well as from the Culinary Institute of America in New York.

In Chef Speight’s current position as Executive Chef & Culinary Director at the University of British Columbia David has been a key leader in inspiring his colleagues, students, and faculty to join him in addressing health, wellbeing and sustainability issues through the need and love of food. David was the 2018 recipient of the UBC President’s staff award for Leadership and continues to lead UBC towards a more sustainable food system.

Salad with bocconcini on a wooden plate

Key Details

Event is Weather-Dependent

In a true long table dinner style, we will not be covering the event with a tent. If rain is forecasted on the Farm, we will cancel at least three days in advance and offer a full refund.

Refund and Transfer Policy

Tickets cannot be refunded but can be transferred. Please email us to transfer your tickets to another name. Please note there is a limit of 6 tickets per transaction. American Express is not accepted at this time.

Dietary Options

Dinner will be served family style. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be incorporated with all courses. Preview last year’s menu here. This year’s menu will be published shortly before the event and may also change in order to maximize in-season ingredients.

How to get to the UBC Farm

Please view Transit & Parking Details here.

Visiting Guidelines

We ask all UBC Farm visitors to respect and enjoy the space, and to not disturb any plants, equipment, or research apparatus on site. Please watch your footing and stay on the roads or grass pathways. Please leave your pets at home.


LFS Reach Out is out!

LFS Reach Out is out!

Cover of magazine issue with Risa Sargent holding a case of insect samples

Reach Out Spring 2024 Issue

June 11, 2024

Many of our CSFS Associates and the CSFS Strategic Plan are featured in this issue of the LFS Faculty magazine!

  • Dean’s Message – Rickey’s last!
  • Studying Pollinators on the Frontlines of Resiliency with Risa Sargent
  • Drought Solutions for Producers Start Small with Thorsten Knipfer
  • Building Resilience: The UBC Farm’s Strategic Plan to Transform Food Systems
  • Sowing the Seeds for Resilient Production Systems with Andrew Riseman
  • Digging Deep on Resiliency Challenges with Jean-Thomas Cornelis
  • New Research Centre Aims to Tackle Food Insecurity with Anubhav Pratap-Singh
  • Serving Students and the Community as Dean with Rickey Yada
  • Helping Wine Producers Hit by Extreme Weather with Simone Castellarin
Read the articles at Reach Out Magazine.

How to save the world in five not so easy steps

How to save the world in five not so easy steps

Wild rose in the foreground with a farm field and hoop houses in the background

Wild rose. Photo by CSFS at UBC Farm.

June 11, 2024

CSFS Associate Dr. Kai Chan wrote that individuals should demand that systems change towards sustainability, and not depend on governments in the fight against climate change.

Chan outlines five essential steps for this transformation:

  • Go Deep: Focus on long-term sustainability over quick fixes.
  • Update Tradition: Challenge the status quo and integrate systems science into decisions.
  • Embrace Uncertainty: Adaptively experiment with bold solutions.
  • Seek Solidarity: Foster multiple perspectives and counter societal polarization.
  • Engage Science: Improve public access to systems science and involve academics in policy-making. By uniting these efforts, society can effectively address the global challenge of sustainability.

Read the full article at National Observer.

Federal tests find no signs of bird flu virus in Canadian retail milk

Federal tests find no signs of bird flu virus in Canadian retail milk

A shopper walks past the milk and dairy display while pushing a Target cart.

A shopper walks past the milk and dairy display case at a Target store in Manhattan. Photo credit: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

June 3, 2024

Canadian monitoring is underway as the U.S. grapples with an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cattle. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) laboratories have tested 142 retail milk samples from across all 10 provinces, the agency said.

“There’s no evidence showing that [H5N1] is threatening our milk supply,” noted Siyun Wang, CSFS Associate and associate professor of food, nutrition and health at UBC.

Read the full article at CBC.