Building resilience in the agricultural sector of the Omineca: Assessing barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars response to water stress and cultural practices of northern producers.

A gap in regional agriculture research and extension has restricted farmers' ability to cultivate long-term sustainable, profitable operations in the Omineca Region, BC. An interdisciplinary project was designed to re-initiate regionally focused research. First, an autoethnography was conducted (2012-2014) to explore cultural practices of northern farmers and to identify needs and opportunities within the region. It was found that diversity of environment, economic and cultural contexts of farmers will impact management decisions, and there is an immediate need for contextual, regional research that addresses the realities of farmers working outside the industrial agriculture system. Second, a greenhouse study was designed to examine the implications of breeding strategies on water stress tolerance of modern and heritage barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars. Significant differences were found in phenology and resource allocation traits of modern and heritage cultivars, suggesting breeding strategy has impacted adaptive tolerance of modern cultivars and may impact future management practices within the region. --Leaf ii.