Canada, B.C. help farmers, ranchers prepare for extreme weather

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

B.C. farmers and ranchers are being supported with a new round of funding to help prepare and protect their farms and animals from extreme-weather emergencies, ensuring people will continue to have access to local food in a changing climate.

Through the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program, $2 million is available to support producers with projects that help prepare farms for wildfires, flooding and extreme heat.

The program began in 2022 and has supported more than 150 projects on B.C. farms in the poultry, dairy, beef, tree fruit and berry sectors.

Examples include:

• improving cooling systems for barns
• enhancing shade and heat protection for livestock and crops
• protection and storage of feed and fuel
• protection of wells
• FireSmart critical infrastructure assessments
• retrofitting farm buildings in preparation of wildfires

Funding for B.C. farm and ranch businesses opened Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with up to $50,000 available per applicant and per project category.

The Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program is part of B.C.’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy and is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF), with funding from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), and CleanBC.

The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.  

Learn More:

To find out more about the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture funding opportunities, visit: https://iafbc.ca/ewp/

Program helps new farmers find their land match

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

More B.C. farmland is being put back into production, providing increased food security for British Columbians, with more than 4,500 hectares (11,300 acres) leased by new and young farmers through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP).

“The next generation of B.C. farmers are going to play a pivotal role in the province’s food security,” said the Hon. Pam Alexis, BC's Minister of Agriculture and Food. “By helping to match them with affordable and productive farmland, we are supporting producers starting or growing their agricultural business while ensuring we have more fresh local food available to feed and nourish our communities.”

The program, delivered by the Young Agrarians resource network for farmers, has helped match 284 new farmers with land throughout B.C. with 54 matches made in the past year.

Farmers such as Jason Stashko and Krystyna Delahaye, who began their first farming venture in less-than-ideal soil, are now thriving at their Seed of Life Farm. The couple found it challenging to find affordable and suitable land in the Lower Mainland until they were matched through the BCLMP to 0.8 hectares (two acres) of fertile farmland in Surrey.

“When we sought to put down our farm roots, we were discouraged by the unavailability of land, rental costs and the various steps involved,” said Krystyna. “When we reached out to the BCLMP, we found help liaising with landholders, lease navigation and helpful advice all delivered with professional knowledge. They helped us begin our journey successfully and made us feel confident in starting Seed of Life Farm.”

Krystyna and Jason are now successfully growing fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers at their farm. By supplying local restaurants, stores and farmers markets, they have fostered local partnerships and offer seasonal community-supported agriculture boxes.

The BCLMP offers one-on-one support through the program’s five land matchers who work to connect farmers with land throughout the province. The supports help new and established farmers start and expand their farm operations and create more regional and sustainable farmland. The result is economic development and greater food security for British Columbians.

“Access to land is the No. 1 barrier facing new farmers today,” said Sara Dent, executive director, Young Agrarians. “With today’s land prices, it is essential that new and established farmers can access affordable land to grow food for the future of our local food systems. We are glad to have the support of the Province in this important work of strengthening B.C.’s food security.”

The program is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Grow BC initiative, which supports young farmers and food producers looking to begin or expand their agriculture business. By addressing challenges such as land access and business planning, the BCLMP seeks to increase the number of new farmers in the province, help grow existing farms and contribute to B.C.’s food security.

Learn More:

For information about the B.C. Land Matching Program, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/land-matching

Young Agrarians B.C. Land Matching Program: https://youngagrarians.org/bc-land-matching-program

For information about B.C.’s New Entrant Strategy for the next generation of agricultural leaders, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/farm-management/farm-business-management/6322_agri_newentrantstrategy_web.pdf

A backgrounder follows.

Backgrounders

B.C. investments in the BC Land Matching Program

• The B.C. government is investing $480,000 in the BC Land Matching Program for 2023-2024, for a total of $2.2 million since 2018.
• The total number of matches (284) made on approximately 4,572 hectares (11,300 acres) in regions throughout B.C. include:
  • Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley: 72 matches on 90 hectares (224 acres)
  • Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands: 86 matches on 139 hectares (345 acres)
  • Thompson-Okanagan: 67 matches on 1800 hectares (4,608 acres)
  • Columbia Basin: 33 matches on 67 hectares (166 acres)
  • Central and northern B.C.: 26 matches on 2,400 hectares (6,025 acres)
• Matches range in size from less than 0.4 hectares to thousands of hectares of farmland.
• The BCLMP is part of the Province’s New Entrant Strategy, which looks to increase the number of new and young farmers working in B.C.’s agriculture sector.
• New farmers typically start out on fewer than four hectares (10 acres), and many of these farms contribute directly to B.C.’s local and regional food supply with an emphasis on direct-to-consumer sales or through farmers markets and restaurants.
• New and small farms are essential to a sustainable and resilient B.C. food system and localized food supply, with 90% of new farmers selling food directly to consumers.

BC Agriculture Day 2022

Statement of the Hon. Lana Popham - BC's Agriculture Minister:

“This year’s B.C. Ag Day is a time to reflect on the challenges faced by B.C.’s agriculture sector over the past year and acknowledge the resilience and strength of the hard-working farmers and ranchers in communities around the province who have overcome extreme weather and pandemic challenges to keep our local food security, economies and communities strong.

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the devastating flooding that accounted for the largest agriculture disaster in B.C.’s history, it is both heartening and inspiring to see so many farmers back on their feet providing food for British Columbians. The Canada-BC Flood Recovery Program for Food Security has provided recovery funding for nearly 400 farms to date, with more to come, and ministry staff continue to work closely with farmers and ranchers to support their recovery to build back stronger.

“B.C. farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land and are acutely aware of the intricacies between climate change and agriculture, often employing regenerative and environmentally sustainable practices. Our government will continue to support them to mitigate the impacts of climate change and look at new tools and programs, like our Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program, that help fund climate adaptation and mitigation projects, such as flood-resilient feed storage, farm building retrofits, improved barn cooling systems, and extreme heat protection for crops and livestock.

“B.C.’s agriculture sector has shown time and time again it can overcome challenges, whether it be weather events, the pandemic or supply-chain issues, with resiliency and hope. Our government will continue to be there to support and provide new opportunities for the sector through Grow BC, Feed BC, and Buy BC so we can expand local food production, increase access to local food in our public institutions and ensure economic stability.

“On Ag Day 2022, I urge British Columbians to continue to buy local and look for the Buy BC logo when shopping. This is a great way to both thank and show support for our food producers, while strengthening food security and our British Columbia economy.”

BC Beef Day 2022

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The wait is over and the smell of grilled beef is in the air as the B.C. government, ranchers and the public celebrate B.C. Beef Day with a barbecue outside the Parliament Buildings.

“I am so excited B.C. Beef Day is back!” said the Hon. Lana Popham, BC's Minister of Agriculture and Food. “The past few years have been challenging, with a global pandemic and the industry dealing with unprecedented weather-related challenges, including wildfires, drought, heat waves and flooding. B.C. Beef Day is all about celebrating this incredible and resilient sector and saying thank you for their contribution to B.C. agriculture and our province’s food security.”

B.C. Beef Day celebrates the partnerships between government and the BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Association of Cattle Feeders, BC Breeder and Feeder Association, BCMeats and the BC Dairy Association, and the contributions of B.C. ranchers to the province’s communities, food security and food economy.

“It has been a long couple of years waiting for the opportunity to once again host B.C. Beef Day, but there is nothing like a beef barbecue to heal from some of the difficult and challenging times we’ve experienced,” said Renee Ardill, President - BC Cattlemen’s Association. “It’s a great opportunity to show what we can do with a little grass and a lot of care for our livestock and the land. It’s also a very important day for us when we can sit down with our elected officials to discuss how our industry cares for the land and the environment while producing some of the best beef anywhere."

The B.C. beef industry is primarily composed of cow-calf operations, and more than 80% of its cattle are farmed in four regions of the province: Lower Mainland Southwest, Thompson Okanagan, Peace River and Cariboo. In 2021, the sector marketed more than 89,600 tonnes of beef valued at $246 million.

The Province has proclaimed June 2, 2022, B.C. Beef Day. The beef served at the event is from Meadow Valley Meats, whose 63 Acres premium beef is grass-fed and grain-finished on four family-owned farms in B.C.’s southern Interior.

The beef is being grilled to perfection at the Parliament Buildings by the skilled “BBQ Brian” Misko and his House of Q team. This Vernon-based business recently received several awards of excellence from the National BBQ and Grilling Association in Texas.

Learn More:

• Too Close to Home, a short film exploring the role of cattle in mitigating wildfire risk for surrounding urban communities: https://tooclosetohome.weebly.com/
• BC Cattlemen's Association: https://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/
• BC Breeder and Feeder Association: http://bcbfa.ca/
• BCMeats: https://bcmeats.ca/
• BC Dairy Association: https://bcdairy.ca/
• Meadow Valley Meats: https://meadowvalleymeats.com/
• House of Q: https://houseofq.com/

Cariboo RD Agricultural Development Plan Survey Launch

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The development of an agricultural plan for the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is closer to becoming a reality, with a consultant team hired and the first round of community engagement about to take place. The CRD Agricultural Area Plan is funded in part by the Local Government Partnership Program, with funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Government of British Columbia through programs delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.

A team of consultants, led by Upland Agricultural Consulting, has been retained to assist in drafting the plan. Over the course of the year, there will be extensive consultation with the community and stakeholders. The round of engagement includes interviews and a survey launch. Later this spring and summer there will be a virtual Town Hall event and in-person meetings with farmers and ranchers.

The Plan will encompass the entire CRD area, and will build on the Agricultural Land Use Inventory project that was conducted by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the BC Climate Change Adaptation Program, the SPROUT Kitchen food hub and other key agri-food projects completed in recent years in the region.

“So much great work has been done to date by local organizations to explore opportunities for increasing the strength and viability of the Cariboo agri-food sector. The CRD Agricultural Area Plan will build on this strong base to achieve the goals of encouraging, protecting, and celebrating agriculture in the region. Establishing key priority areas and recommended actions will be an important outcome of this process” says CRD Vice Chair and Electoral Area C Director John Massier. “We are encouraged to see the process moving forward and the survey is an important first step in getting input from area residents,” he added.
Recommendations from the Plan will be translated into implementable actions along with a defined funding strategy to ensure they are achieved.

The project webpage is: https://www.cariboord.ca/en/business-and-development/agricultural-area-plan.aspx

Residents with questions can contact:

Shivani Sajwan

Planning Officer II

Cariboo Regional District
250-392-3351
ssajwan@cariboord.ca

Helping BC Farmers' with COVID-19 Safety Expenses

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Farms that employed seasonal workers from other parts of Canada are eligible to receive support for some of the costs they incurred to keep their workers safe and ensure British Columbians could enjoy local fruits and vegetables this summer and fall.

The B.C. Seasonal Domestic Farm Worker COVID-19 Safety Program offers farmers up to $2,000 reimbursement for on-farm expenses that helped farms comply with COVID-19 health and safety measures between April 1 and Oct. 31, 2021.

The program compensates expenses for sanitation priorities, such as the purchase, rental or scheduled cleaning and disinfecting of handwashing stations, bathing and laundry facilities, and bathrooms, portable or compost toilets, as well as cleaning, disinfecting and sanitization products used to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It also offers reimbursed costs for infrastructure expenses that helped workers stay on-farm during their employment period, such as cooking facilities, shelters for shade and rain, and added Wi-Fi access to worker areas.

Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 seasonal workers from other parts of Canada help harvest B.C. fruit and grapes in the Okanagan and Creston areas each year. The B.C. government has worked with fruit growers to ensure COVID-19 health and safety guidelines have been met at designated worker camps near Oliver and Summerland since 2020, as well as offering support for on-farm camping in the Okanagan and Creston Valley, all to help keep people safe and support B.C.’s economy and food security.

More information and application packages for the B.C. Seasonal Domestic Farm Worker COVID-19 Safety Program are available online:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/bc-seasonal-domestic-farm-worker-covid-19-safety-program

Quick Facts:

• The program offers up to 70% reimbursement for eligible purchases between April 1 and Oct. 31, 2021, to a maximum of $2,000 per farm.
• For the purposes of this program, a seasonal domestic farm worker is defined as a worker who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, who is not a permanent employee of the applicant and does not permanently reside on the applicant’s farm.
• Eligible on-farm improvements must support the employer and the workers to comply with their obligations under the Industrial Camp Order, and/or the employer’s Infection Prevention and Control Plan or Communicable Disease Prevention Plan.
• Applications must be received by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries no later than Oct. 31, 2021 (11:59 p.m.) and claim forms no later than Nov. 30, 2021 (11:59 p.m.).
• If the maximum program budget of $50,000 is allocated before Oct. 31, 2021, the application intake will close.

Learn More:

Support for domestic seasonal farm workers in 2021 - Supporting a safe 2021 fruit harvest in B.C. - on BC Gov News: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AFF0040-001266

Financial support, emergency feed available for B.C. Farmers/Ranchers

Courtesy of the Governments of BC/Canada:

The governments of B.C. and Canada are providing financial support for B.C. farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses through wildfires, record heat and prolonged drought in 2021.

The support is being delivered through several programs to help sustain farmers’ and ranchers’ livelihoods, family farms and contributions to the province’s food security.

“The B.C. government has a dedicated team working closely with ranchers and farmers to respond to emergencies like wildfires and to create programs that help preserve their businesses and our local food supply,” said the Hon. Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “The losses B.C. farmers and ranchers have experienced this year have been heartbreaking, and recovering from them will take time, commitment and support, for which the B.C. government will be there for the whole way.”

The governments of B.C. and Canada are creating a federal-provincial AgriRecovery response to help producers who are experiencing extraordinary recovery expenses due to fire and drought.

“We are working closely with the Province to get B.C. farm families the support they need as soon as possible,” said the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “By unlocking more AgriStability funds through interim payments and invoking late participation, we can get more cash in hand for farmers who are making tough decisions in a difficult situation. We will continue to support farm families to get them through the challenges we face today, and position them for a sustainable future, since we know climate change will continue to pose challenges."

The Province has also taken steps to provide farmers and ranchers with additional and immediate support by implementing “late participation” in the federal-provincial AgriStability program for 2021. The program provides funding to farmers who have experienced income declines due to crop or livestock losses or market conditions. Late participation means B.C. farmers not enrolled for the 2021 program year can apply to enrol until Dec. 31, 2022.

Farmers enrolled in the AgriStability 2021 program year will be eligible to receive a much higher interim payment within a few weeks of completing the application forms. Increasing the maximum interim payment from 50% to 75% of the estimated final payment will improve cashflow for farmers and help them continue operations this year.

B.C. ranchers and farmers who have suffered a decrease to their available feed supply and require emergency support as a result of this summer’s wildfires may also be eligible to receive hay through the Emergency Feed Program established by the Province, ensuring continued care for their animals.

The 2021 Wildfire Emergency Feed Program will provide emergency feed support for up to 14 days for commercial livestock businesses unable to access their normal feed supply, or if their current forage has been burned or is unsafe. The program will also support businesses forced to use forage or feed resources normally required to feed livestock through the rest of their yearly production cycle.

Agricultural producers who require emergency assistance or information, including assistance with livestock relocation, emergency feed, permission for re-entry into evacuation-order zones, or other emergency issues related to the wildfire situation, should contact their First Nation or local authority for the area where their operation is located. Local authorities and First Nations are responsible for emergency management decisions within their areas of jurisdiction and are supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and the Emergency Management BC Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre.

Quick Facts:

• The AgriStability program is funded by the governments of Canada and B.C. through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
• AgriStability protects agricultural producers against declines in their net farming income due to market conditions, production loss or increased costs of production.
• Late registrants in the 2021 program will receive a 20% lower payment rate than those who enrolled on time.
• The 2021 Wildfire Emergency Feed Program is separate from the Livestock Relocation Program.
• Crop producers enrolled in the ministry’s Production Insurance (PI) program who have experienced losses due to heat or fires should contact their local PI representative to begin the claims process and access support.

Learn More:

To enrol in AgriStability, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agriculture-income-protection-agristability

Federal government news release about its commitment to $100 million in national 2021 AgriRecovery funding:
https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2021/08/government-of-canada-announces-100-million-in-agrirecovery-funding-to-further-support-farmers-facing-continued-extreme-weather.html

For information about the 2021 Wildfire Emergency Feed Program, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/embc-wildfire-2021-emergency-feed-program

For information and resources for farms/livestock producers, including the livestock relocation program, visit: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/business-market-development/emergency-management 

New BC Meat Licensing Regulations

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

It will be easier for B.C. families to buy, serve and enjoy beef, pork and poultry raised in their own communities under a new meat licensing system that supports farm businesses in rural parts of the province and makes it easier to sell locally raised meat in B.C.

“We’ve worked with ranchers, abattoir operators, health authorities and local governments to increase the amount of locally raised meat in rural communities,” said the Hon. Lana Popham, BC's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “The new meat licensing system will increase food production, support regional food security, stimulate local economies and prioritize food safety.”

The system will use three licence categories that recognize and support the different sizes of meat processing and livestock businesses in the province.

A farmgate licence has been created to help new and small-scale producers sell their products locally and fill the demand for local meat products in rural communities. With this licence, producers can sell from their farmgate or at farmers markets within their regional district and at farmers markets within a 50 kilometre radius of their farm if they border a different regional district.

A second category, farmgate plus, will replace current Class D and E licences. It will be available provincewide and will help alleviate ranchers’ and producers’ concerns about accessing processing services, as well as provide new sales opportunities at farmers markets, retail shops and restaurants.

A new abattoir licence will replace current Class A and B licences. It is synchronized with existing business and licence procedures, and will continue to offer fully inspected meat production with no restriction on volume or sales within B.C.

All licences will be valid for a five-year term and will be effective Oct. 1, 2021, with existing licensees transitioning automatically. The new licence framework follows in-depth consultation with ranchers, abattoir operators, local governments and meat producer organizations, including the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, BC Association of Abattoirs, BC Cattlemen’s Association, First Nations Agricultural Association of BC, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Small-Scale Meat Producers Association.

The changes are the latest the B.C. government has made since 2017. They are part of an ongoing partnership with B.C. ranchers, abattoir operators and local governments to increase food production and security in rural communities.

Learn More:

Further details about the new licences and requirements are available at:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/food-safety/meat-inspection-licensing

Buy BC has information on local meat products and other B.C. agriculture, food and beverage products: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/

Learn more about local meat producers providing sustainable and safe meat products to B.C. families: https://bcmeats.ca/

The Small-Scale Meat Producers Association represents B.C. farmers and ranchers who are raising meat on a community level: https://smallscalemeat.ca/

Backgrounders on this item (What people are saying about this initiative & New Meat Licensing Categories) can be viewed here)