The Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. is holding its regional tour at various Comox Valley locations Tuesday.
The tour provides an opportunity to learn about innovative agriculture projects, and about projects funded by the foundation.
The itinerary includes morning stops at Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt, McClintock's Farm and Gunter Bros. Meat Co. Afternoon visits include Coastal Black Winery, Shelter Point Distillery and Island Bison Ranch.
"It's unique. We're working closely with IAF this year," said Abel O' Brennan, an owner and winemaker at Coastal Black, which will host about 50 guests for wine-tasting and lunch.
As of August, the Black Creek winery will have been in operation three years.
"They've given us some funding for our Buy Local program for our advertising for the year," O'Brennan said.
This year, IAF has undertaken a campaign where it provides funding up to 50 per cent for businesses advertising or promoting the Buy Local concept.
The foundation was established in 1996 as an industry-led, non-profit organization. It represents a significant component of the agriculture and agrifood community, from farm supply to primary production to post-farm gate and food processing. The focus is to work with clients, industry and funding partners, and to invest in projects that have the potential to transform ideas into solutions.
In the past two years, the IAF has approved more than $125,000 to projects in the Comox Valley, including the Farmers’ Market, livestock slaughter waste disposal and domestic marketing initiatives.