Agriculture
A Growing Agriculture Industry
Mackenzie is situated in the Omineca-Skeena agriculture region, in British Columbia’s Plant Hardiness 4A Zone. Our frost-free season is short but our summer daylight hours provide ample sunlight with capabilities to grow a bounteous garden. Many growers sell home-grown goods or artisanal foods in our main street shops or at our Mackenzie Community Market.
Producers in our region are well connected to processors, markets in Alberta, and overseas markets via rail and highway links to transport hubs in Prince George and Prince Rupert. While climate restricts some land uses, many soils are productive and can support diverse activities.
Products produced in this region include grass and hardy legumes, grains, oilseeds, root crops and other vegetables, and some tree fruits, berries and nuts. Wild harvest, such as mushrooms and ornamentals, also occurs. Along with cattle, significant livestock includes horses, dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry and eggs, and specialty products like ostrich.
The District of Mackenzie has set a goal to grow, raise and harvest more local food to provide a new source of fresh food, stimulate small enterprise, and develop a local food culture in Mackenzie. This will be achieved by expanding food production activities and interactions; increasing the number of food sources for buying, selling, sharing and preparing local food; and to create a culture and experience around local food in Mackenzie.
Business opportunities in our expanding Agriculture sector include:
- Livestock ranch
- Poultry farming
- Above ground fish farm
- Florists
- Orchards
- Fruit juice production
- Winery and/or cidery
- Vegetable farming
- Green houses
- Berry farms
- Botanical pesticide production
- Livestock feed production
- Farm and growing supplies
Playing In Mackenzie
Business In Mackenzie
Climate
Like all mountain communities, Mackenzie sees its fair share of the warm summer sun, and snowy winters. Check out some of our weather stats:
Mackenzie is ideal for winter snow sports, with an average annual snowfall of 3 m (9.8 ft)
February temperatures average -11.4°C (11.5°F)
For summer lovers, July averages 14.9°C (58.6°F) but can top out at 35°C (95°F)
Mackenzie sees about 1,800 hours of sunshine annually. Its growing season runs from June through August.
Average annual rainfall of 35.5 cm (14.8 in).
Climate
Like all mountain communities, Mackenzie sees its fair share of the warm summer sun, and snowy winters. Check out some of our weather stats:
Mackenzie is ideal for winter snow sports, with an average annual snowfall of 3 m (9.8 ft)
February temperatures average -11.4°C (11.5°F)
For summer lovers, July averages 14.9°C (58.6°F) but can top out at 35°C (95°F)
Mackenzie sees about 1,800 hours of sunshine annually. Its growing season runs from June through August.
Average annual rainfall of 35.5 cm (14.8 in).
Spotlight on Agriculture in Mackenzie
“With a natural, accessible source of water, and long summer days, Mackenzie is ideal for modern and innovative types of agricultural and hydroponic growing.”
~ Kyle Tapper, Omineca Growers Society