Agriculture Grants and Benefits

Currently Accepting Applications

Description:
The B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP) provides land matching and business support services to new farmers looking for land to farm as well as landowners interested in finding someone to farm their land.
The benefits of land matching are hands on, personalized support services to new farmers and landowners to better understand regulations, evaluate opportunities, access resources, and ultimately find a land match partner.  The program is administered by the Young Agrarians and addresses the significant barrier to land access for those seeking to enter the B.C. agriculture industry.

• Eligibility:
  New farmers seeking land to set up their agricultural business
• Landowners looking for someone to farm their land

Application process: 

Contact a Land Matcher in your region:

Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley – Fai Hui: fai@youngagrarians.org
Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands – Azja Jones Martin: azja@youngagrarians.org
Okanagan – Thompson – Tessa Thompson: tessa@youngagrarians.org
Columbia Basin – Hailey Troock: hailey@youngagrarians.org
Central & Northern B.C. – Morgan Kitchen: morgan@youngagrarians.org
B.C. Land Matching Program Manager – Darcy Smith: land@youngagrarians.org

If you aren’t sure which Land Matcher to contact, please reach out to land@youngagrarians.org or call 1.855.561.4633. (If leaving a voicemail, please leave a detailed message with your name, location, and what you are calling about so we can direct your call to the best staff member. Thank you!)

Important dates: –

Links: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/land-matching
https://youngagrarians.org/tools/land/bc-land-matching-program/

Currently Accepting Applications

Description:
Through the Greenhouse Carbon Tax Relief Grant Program (GCTRG), the B.C. government provides carbon tax relief to B.C. commercial vegetable, floriculture, wholesale nursery and forest seedling operations.

*APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR 2022* Re-Opens 2023 January

Eligibility:
To qualify to receive a 2021 GCTRG, an Applicant must have met all of the following criteria at the time of the application submission:

• is a corporation, partnership or individual(s) operating a commercial greenhouse in British Columbia for the entire 2021 production year
• is using natural gas or propane in the operation of their Eligible Production Area for heating or the production of CO2 for Eligible Crop fertilization, or both
• had sales in 2020 exceeding $20,000 (for start-ups or new purchases, an operator anticipates sales exceeding $20,000 in 2019) from the production of Eligible Crops
• has a minimum of 455 square metres (5,000 square feet) of Eligible Production Area
• is using at least 75% of their total Eligible Production Area for the production of Eligible Crops
• is producing an Eligible Crop
• has completed and submitted the online survey by May 10, 2021

Important dates:
Applications for 2022 closed. Will open for 2023 next year.

Link: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/greenhouse-carbon-tax-relief-grant

Description:
Agriculture producers can get compensation due to wildlife damage to some harvested and unharvested crops by enrolling in the Agriculture Wildlife Program.
Only losses caused by the following wildlife, which are not held in captivity will be considered:

• Bison
• Bear
• Cranes
• Deer
• Elk
• Moose
• Mountain sheep
• Waterfowl

Eligibility:
Compensation may be restricted to agriculture producers who follow best management practices in crop loss prevention. Agriculture producers must provide proof of:

• BC Assessment Farm Status
• Private land ownership and/or lease confirmation along with a tax reporting number for any potential payments

Although purchasing crop insurance is encouraged, it is not a requirement for enrollment in the Agriculture Wildlife Program. If you purchase crop insurance you will automatically be enrolled. 

• Purchase production insurance

Important info:

• Email: Abbotsford
• Toll-Free Phone: 1-888 221-7141
• Local Phone: 604 556-3001

Link: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agriculture-insurance-and-income-protection-programs/crop-loss-damage-due-to-wildlife

Description:
The B.C. Raspberry Replant Program is intended to increase the competitiveness of the B.C. raspberry industry in local and global markets.

The goal of the Raspberry Replant Program is to revitalize the B.C. raspberry industry with raspberry varieties suitable for fresh and Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) raspberry markets. 

The priority for 2022/23 is to provide cost-share funding for eligible raspberry fields that will be planted in the spring or fall of 2023. Successful applicants will be reimbursed for a portion of their plant costs following planting and a satisfactory field inspection.

The Raspberry Replant Program will be accepting applications from May 20, 2022 to October 31, 2022.

To apply for the program, please submit the following:

• A completed and signed 2022/23 Raspberry Replant Program Application Form (DOCX, 734 KB)
• A complete and accurate map of the farm showing location of new planting, location of irrigation water source and road access to the field. A satellite image or a city webmap with field area outlined is preferred
• A copy of a detailed soil sample results including macronutrient and micronutrient analysis taken from the planting site in the previous 3 years
• A copy of the nursery plant order
• Confirmation of ownership/lease of the land; and 
• Confirmation of relationship with a processor/packer (previous year’s contract and payment summary slip, or letter from processor/packer) if varieties are intended for Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) markets

Applications will be received by email to raspberryreplantprogram@gov.bc.ca or can be mailed to: 

Abbotsford Agriculture Centre,
1767 Angus Campbell Road
Abbotsford, BC V3G 2M3
ATTN: Raspberry Replant Program

Important info:

• The Raspberry Replant Program will be accepting applications from May 20, 2022 to October 31, 2022
• Contact details:
  Abbotsford Agriculture Centre,
  1767 Angus Campbell Road
  Abbotsford, BC V3G 2M3
  ATTN: Raspberry Replant Program

Link: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/raspberry-replant-program

Description:
The Hazelnut Renewal Program provides funding to remove infected trees to mitigate the spread of Eastern Filbert Blight and to incentivize the planting of new disease-resistant hazelnut trees in British Columbia.

Eligibility Criteria:
For the purposes of this program, eligible hazelnut trees are defined as hazelnut varieties released by the Oregon State University hazelnut breeding program that have resistance to Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB). Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a new or existing hazelnut grower in the province of British Columbia (A-B)
• The applicant must be the owner (or lessee) of the land to be planted (A-B)
• The minimum eligible acreage for new planting new orchards and removal projects in 2022/23 is one acre (A-B)
• The maximum eligible acreage for 2022/23 planting is 10 acres for double (maximum 269 trees/acre) or single density planting and 20 acres exclusively for single density planting (maximum 134 trees/acre) per farm operation (A)
• The maximum eligible acreage per applicant for removal of EFB infected hazelnut trees in 2022/23 is 10 acres (B)
• Approved applicants must plant EFB-resistant varieties, and must obtain planting stock according to the instructions of the CFIA Directive D-00-03 (A)

For complete eligibility criteria, including a list of resistant EFB Hazelnut varieties, please consult the 2022/23 BC Hazelnut Renewal Program Requirements (PDF, 293 KB).

Application process:
The ministry will be accepting applications for the Hazelnut Renewal Program.
The application deadline is March 28, 2022.  Applications will not be accepted after this date.
To apply for the program, please submit the following:

• A completed 2022/23 Project Application:
  • 2022/23 Hazelnut Renewal Program Application Form_New Planting (DOCX. 732 KB)
  • 2022/2023 Hazelnut Renewal Program Application Form_Removal (DOCX. 727 KB)
• Please ensure that you are applying as a taxable entity of your farm or orchard
• Confirmation of ownership/lease of the land (A-B)
• Confirmation of nursery tree order or copy of stock planting purchase- assurance that the plants will be available (A)
• A cost estimate for contaminated orchard destruction by a recognized contractor (B)
• A copy of the business licence of a recognized contractor. Contractor must have been in business for at least one year (B)
• A burn permit issued by the local fire marshal (B)

Completed applications can be submitted in two ways:

By email no later than 4.30 p.m. Pacific Time March 28, 2022 to:

1. AGRI.HazelnutRenewal@gov.bc.ca or
2. By mail, arriving no later than 4.30 p.m. Pacific Time March 28, 2022 to:
   Abbotsford Agriculture Centre
   1767 Angus Campbell Road
   Abbotsford BC V3G 2M3
   ATTN: Hazelnut Renewal Program

Important dates:
The program will be accepting applications from February 2, 2022 to March 28, 2022 for planting or removal projects that occurred or will occur between March 2022 and June 2022.

Link:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/hazelnut-renewal-program

Description:
The Bee BC Program provides up to $100,000 in funding over two years to support small scale regional/community-based projects to research, explore, field-test and share information about best management practices associated with bee health.
The objective of the Bee BC Program is to enhance bee health throughout the province. Bee health is important, not only for the production of honey, but also for the contribution that bees make to the pollination of many crop species and to the wider environment.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Regional/community beekeeping associations or groups
• Beekeepers with permitted hives
• Groups of beekeepers with permitted hives working together
• First Nations/Indigenous Peoples organizations

Important dates:
There is one annual application window; the deadline to apply is February 12th, 2021 at 16:30. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. All applications received by the deadline will be collectively reviewed and evaluated based on merit. The deadlines for applications for the 2020 – 21 fiscal year are as follows:

• Application Window: January 11th, 2021 – February 12th, 2021
• Application Deadline: February 12th, 2021 @ 16:30 PST
• Project Start Date: April 1st, 2021

Link:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/bee-bc
https://iafbc.ca/bee-bc/

Description:
The OFFS Program, with a budget of approx. $2 million provides 70% cost-shared funding up to a maximum of $10K to eligible B.C. farm-based businesses (i.e. growers, packers and ranchers) to address existing food safety issues, increase implementation of food safety practices and to meet national (e.g. SFCR came into effect Jan 15, 2019) and international food safety requirements.

Criteria:

Eligible Activities:
Cost-shared funding will be available for a range of eligible activities under two distinct categories:

• Food safety improvements;
  • Equipment purchase and facility; and
  • Other food safety improvements.

Note: A gap-assessment is needed in order to access Food Safety Improvement funding.

• One or more OFFS or HACCP final audit(s) and certification(s).

Eligible participants
Eligible Participants may include the following agrifood businesses based and operating in B.C. and who are provincially or federally licensed:

• Farmers/growers producing crops for human consumption;
• Producers/ranchers raising animals for human consumption; or
• Packers or co-packers that handle food for human consumption.

In order to be eligible for the OFFS Program, participants will:

• have an active nine-digit business registration number (BN) with CRA or have an active GST number and file business or farm income taxes in B.C.;
• constitute a legal entity;
• be based and operating in B.C., and be provincially or federally licensed (or registered);
• follow all requirements of the law and agree to remain in compliance for the term of the CAP funding agreement (if the application is approved between the participant and the Recipient); and
• be registered with the Premises Identification Program livestock and/or poultry

Ineligible participants
Examples of ineligible participants include:

• operations that grow, process or handle health or nutrition supplements;
• operations producing pet food or food not intended for human consumption;
• businesses only involved in food beyond primary production (e.g. processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, farm input providers);
• retail, restaurants or other food service operations;
• unlicensed, unregistered or uninspected facilities;
• aquaculture and seafood production/processing businesses; and
• any other business deemed ineligible by the Province.

Application process:
http://bconfarmfoodsafety.com/

Important dates:
Applications will open for 2023.

Links: 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/on-farm-food-safety

https://bcfoodsafety.ca/

http://bconfarmfoodsafety.com/

Description:
The program is meant to provide feed for commercial livestock businesses in situations where due to wildfire and related activities:

• a) they cannot access their normal forage/feed supply, and
• b) in order to keep their livestock safe, they are forced to use forage or feed resources that are normally required to feed livestock through the rest of their yearly production cycle.

This program is NOT a feed supply program to address drought conditions.

Criteria:
Eligibility:

• The livestock operation must be a commercial livestock-based farm business. Farm business operations are defined by the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act as business operations where there is a reasonable expectation of income based on sales of commercial livestock. (and/or their products)
• The livestock operation must be prepared to provide proof of filing 2020 income tax as farm operation or provide proof of recent purchase of farm operation
• Applies in cases where:
  • The current forage or feed resources (pasture or range) has been burned or deemed unsafe and,
  • No alternative forage resources are available (i.e., grazing rotation adjustments) and,
  • Livestock are being “sheltered in place” at the home ranch, other land held by the livestock business or, by agreement, other land deemed safe for the interim where the forage/feed being consumed is the fall/winter forage supply, i.e., fields that provide late fall/winter forage.
• There are many registered Indigenous farm operations in BC as well as several First Nations led operations that provide food to a community.  To determine eligibility for this program, First Nations operators are encouraged to apply for an assessment of eligibility.

Application process:
Program access is initiated by the farm business by requesting assistance through the local EOC (Emergency Operation Centre), agreeing to program conditions, providing and validating the necessary information and ongoing communication with the program’s staff.
Note:
This program is distinct from the Livestock Relocation Program, consequently livestock engaged in one program cannot also receive duplicate support from the other program.
Each application will be adjudicated based on each situation.
Be aware that being located within an evacuation alert or order area does not automatically make you eligible for the program.

Important dates:
None Found

Link: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/embc-wildfire-2021-emergency-feed-program

Description:
The Farm Adaptation Innovator Program (FAIP) seeks to build adaptive capacity and encourage the adoption of effective farm practices to help mitigate impacts related to climate change by supporting projects that:
Promote innovation in farm practices, approaches and technologies that support climate change adaptation
Demonstrate farm practices that reduce weather related production risks, and identify new production opportunities
Develop informational and knowledge sharing resources and support increased sector capacity to support adaptation

Criteria:
Eligible activities
Project types supported through the program include applied research, pilots, demonstrations, and adoption facilitation. Funding is available to support projects in four different farm practice categories:

• Soil and Crop Management (includes horticulture, orchards, viticulture, seeded forage and forage grown for seed)
• Livestock, Pasture and Range Management (includes livestock water)
• Water Management
• Whole Farm and Business Management

Eligible applicants

• Individual B.C. agri-foods sector producers or groups of B.C. agri-foods sector producers
• B.C. agri-food industry associations/organizations
• Input, technology, support and advisory services providers
• Academic institutions and/or other organizations and private sector businesses
• B.C. First Nation governments, organizations, individuals and corporations
• B.C. local governments, including regional districts and municipalities

Important dates:
–
Links:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/farm-adaptation-innovator-program

https://bcclimatechangeadaptation.ca/

Description:

The B.C. Tree Fruit Replant Program is funded by the B.C. government and provides financial help for growers to replace fruit trees with varieties that will meet consumer demands for high-value, high-quality B.C. fruit.

Criteria:

• Applications must be complete, horticulturally acceptable and reviewed by a horticultural advisor
• Incomplete applications or projects not horticulturally sound may be returned
• Quality applications may take time to gather all the requisites to apply for funding. Producers are encouraged to plan in advance for future funding year

Important dates:
Contact your horticultural advisor for more information.
If you do not have a horticultural advisor to help complete and sign the Replant Plan, please contact the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) at (250) 762-5226 Ext.1.

Link:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/treefruit-replant

Description:

The Youth Employment and Skills Program provides a wage subsidy to employers who hire youth for agricultural jobs. The program offers support for 50% of wages to a maximum of $14,000.

If approved, the following employers are eligible to receive 80% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum of $14,000:

• Indigenous individuals or organizations
• Employers who hire a youth facing barriers

For employers who hire a youth facing barriers, the program can also provide up to $5,000 in additional support to offset the employment barrier faced by the employee hired. Applications will be reviewed on a priority basis relative to the barrier faced by the employee that is expected to be hired, as indicated by the Applicant on the application form. Refer to the Applicant guide for a full list of barriers. Projects may also be prioritized by submission time to equitably distribute funding.

Criteria:

Eligible employers
Eligible employers are agricultural related organizations such as farmers, food processors and agricultural related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who can offer opportunities that will give youth agriculture career-related work experiences and skills in Canada.

Eligible employees
Eligible employers are responsible for hiring and verifying the eligibility of participants for the Youth Employment and Skills Program activities. Only one (1) employee may be assigned to each project. The employee may be hired for all kinds of employment statuses (part-time, full-time, casual, seasonal, etc.). To qualify, the employee must be:

• between the ages of 15 and 30 inclusive when the project started
• unemployed or underemployed.
• Underemployed includes:
  • students or individuals who are currently employed and are taking on significantly greater responsibilities and complexity in their employment duties or more hours of work during the project.
  • employees who are occupying a position for which they are overqualified, as per their education.
• a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or a refugee under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• not in receipt of Employment Insurance during the work term

Applications will be prioritized based on the intention of the Applicant to hire youth facing employment barriers. Refer to the Applicant guide for a full list of barriers. Projects may also be prioritized by submission time to equitably distribute funding.

Eligible projects

Projects may start no earlier than April 1, 2022 and must be completed by March 31, 2023. Projects must offer the employee agricultural work that is of meaningful length of 3 months or more. Applicants who have recently hired youth may claim costs starting April 1, 2022.

Examples of typical projects include:

• farmers who wish to hire farm workers for planting and harvesting crops or managing livestock
• agricultural businesses, such as greenhouses, orchards, vineyards, or vegetable producers who have labor needs
• small businesses who supply agricultural products or services
• food processors in need of labor

Application process:
Before you apply, please read the Applicant guide for detailed information on eligibility criteria, support and funding details, and the application process. Funding is limited and preference will be given to projects that employ youth facing barriers.

1. Complete the application form and required documents
To apply, complete the following forms:

• Project Application Form (PDF) (required)
• A copy of the organization’s Certificates or Articles of Incorporation (if available).

2. Submit your completed application form and documents
To apply online, download, complete and submit the Project Application Form (PDF) and other required documents.

Online applications should be processed within 50 business days.

To apply by email, submit the completed Project Application Form and required documents to aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca.

To apply by mail or fax, submit the completed Project Application Form and required documents to the regional office nearest you.

Important Dates:
To stay up-to-date about important dates for the program, subscribe to the Youth Employment and Skills Program mailing list.

Subscribe to the mailing list

• send an email to: AAFC_YESP-PECJ_AAC-subscribe-request@www.agr.gc.ca
• you will receive an email which will contain a second link. Select the second link to confirm your subscription

Mail:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Youth Employment and Skills Program
301-2010 12th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 0M3

Toll Free Number:
1-866-452-5558

TDD/TTY:
613-773-2600

Fax:
306-780-7353

Email:
aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca

Link:
https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/youth-employment-and-skills-program

Description:
The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a federal loan guarantee program which provides agricultural producers with easy access to low-interest cash advances.

Under the program, you can access up to $1,000,000 per program year in total advances based on the value of your eligible agricultural products, with the Government of Canada paying the interest on the first $100,000 of your advance. Advances are repaid as you sell your agricultural products, with up to 18 months to fully repay the advance for most commodities (up to 24 months for cattle and bison).
APP advances can provide you with cash flow to meet your financial needs until you are able to sell your agricultural products. The program can provide marketing flexibility so you can make the decision to sell your agricultural products based on market conditions rather than the need for cash to meet your immediate financial obligations.
APP advances are available through 33 participating producer organizations, that is, APP Administrators, across Canada

Criteria:

Producers
To be eligible you must be:

• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; or
• a corporation, cooperative or partnership of which the majority interest is held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

You must also:

• be the age of majority in the province of operation;
• have produced/be producing and own the agricultural product; and
• be responsible for its marketing.

For a corporation, cooperative or partnership, one or more of the stakeholders must be the age of majority in the province of operation.

Eligible agricultural products
Agricultural products that are currently eligible for an Advance Payments Program (APP) advance include:

• Crops
• Grains and oilseeds
• Fruits and vegetables
• Livestock (cattle, hogs, sheep, bison, rabbits, red deer, boar, goats, elk)
• Certain breeding animals intended to be marketed during the production period (cattle, goats, sheep, hogs)
• Bees intended to be marketed during the production period
• Fur pelts and cervid antler velvet
• Honey and maple syrup

If you do not see your agricultural product listed above, you should contact an Advance Payment Program Administrator to discuss whether or not an advance could be issued on the product.
Livestock that have been sent for slaughter, animals under supply management (for example, dairy cows and poultry), and breeding animals that are not intended for market during the production period are not eligible under the program.

Application process:
Participating producer organizations act as Advance Payments Program (APP) Administrators and deliver the program on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
You can apply for an APP advance through 33 Advance Payments Program Administrators across Canada. Their staff will guide you through the application process and advise you of any administration fees that they may charge.

Important info:

Contact details:
Advance Payments Program
1341 Baseline Road, Tower 7, 7th Floor
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0C5
Toll Free Number: 1-866-367-8506
TDD/TTY: 613-773-2600
Email: aafc.fgp-pgf.aac@agr.gc.ca

Our goal is to respond to general inquiries made to our phone number or email address before the end of the next business day. Or contact one of our Advance Payment Program Administrators.

Link:

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/advance-payments-program/contact-information

Currently Accepting Applications

Description:
This insurance offers protection against an unexpected drop in prices over a defined period of time. Livestock producers can purchase price protection on cattle and hogs in the form of an insurance policy. Coverage is based on a number of market driven factors and can be managed on-line.
The Livestock Price Insurance Program is available in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Criteria:
Important dates:
Link: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agriculture-insurance-and-income-protection-programs/livestock-price-insurance

Description:
AgriInvest helps you manage small income declines, and provides support for investments to mitigate risks or improve market income.

Criteria:

Eligible Activities:
Each year, producers can deposit up to 100% percent of their Allowable Net Sales (ANS) into an AgriInvest account and receive a matching government contribution for the first 1.0%. For example, a producer with $100,000 in ANS could deposit up to $100,000 and federal and provincial governments would make a matching contribution totaling $1,000.
Producers have the flexibility to withdraw funds at any time.

Eligible applicants:
Individuals, partners in a partnership (except in Quebec), co-operatives, corporations, estates, trusts, limited partnerships (except in Quebec), and landlords in a joint venture are eligible to participate. To be eligible, you must have been engaged in the business of farming and reported sales of eligible commodities for tax purposes.
Status Indians farming on reserves in Canada who do not file a tax return are also eligible to participate in AgriInvest.

Important dates:

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/agriinvest/resources/agriinvest-fact-sheets#a2

Link: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agriculture-insurance-and-income-protection-programs/agriinvest

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/agriinvest