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Cariboo Central Coast Edition
Regional Newsletter
January
Feature of the month:
- Weed of the Month: English Holly
Upcoming Events:
- Jan 14 & 28 | Feb 11 & 25 | Mar 11 & 25: Small-Scale Greenhouse Training for Indigenous Communities workshop series
- Jan 15: Expand Your Agrifood Business Across B.C. webinar
- Jan 22: Ready for Retail: Pre-Tradeshow Market Readiness webinar
- Jan 22-24: Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference
- Feb 3, 4, 5 and 11: Dam Safety Management Training workshops
- Feb 5 & 10: Interpreting Your Soil Test Report (Version 2) and Managing Crop Nutrient Needs workshop
- Feb 11-12: Southern Interior Horticultural Show
Programs and funding opportunities:
- Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program - New Applications Dates
- Environmental Farm Plan Success Story: Black Cat Crossing Farm
- B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service Available
- Northern Development Initiative Trust - Accepting Applications
- BC Agriculture and Food Export (BCAFE) Program - Accepting Applications Jan 19
- Food Safety Program (FSP) - Accepting Applications Jan 20
Business Risk Management Programs:
- AgriStability - Accepting Applications
- Production Insurance - Accepting Applications
Resources:
- Long-term Bale Grazing and Soil Moisture: What B.C. Peace Region Producers Have Learned
- Small-Scale Greenhouse Training Guide for Indigenous Communities in British Columbia
Weed of The Month: English Holly
Tis the season for many people across British Columbia to purchase this month’s invasive weed to decorate their homes for the holidays. English holly (Ilex aquifolium) may be a beautiful, festive plant to decorate with, but did you know it can become highly invasive under the right circumstances?
When purchased from a store, a patch of English holly will have white sweet-smelling flowers, glossy green, spiky leaves that grow1-3 inches in length, and bunches of red, yellow, or orange berries. The berries of English holly are toxic to humans and most pets; however, they are not toxic to birds in BC which is a major factor that helps them spread. When planted, English holly grows between 7-10 meters tall and produces hundreds of berries. Its massive size and tolerance to shady conditions allow this plant to quickly establish monocultures and uses huge amounts of available moisture present in the soil. This is turn, affects the health of native plant communities.
Fortunately, we have no known English holly outbreaks in the Cariboo, but if you do happen to spot this plant it is very important that you report it immediately. Reports can be made to the Cariboo Regional District or by using a reporting app such as reportinvasives.bc.
If you are trying to remove an English holly plant from your property, you can remove small seedlings rather easily by hand. Larger plants can be cut at ground level and monitored for re-sprouting. If you notice any suckers sprouting on or around the stump, cut them at the base immediately. Always remember to be plantwise and dispose of any invasive plants appropriately by putting them in your garbage and not your compost pile.
Small-Scale Greenhouse Training for Indigenous Communities workshop series
When:
January 14 & 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM (PST)
February 11 & 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM (PST)
March 11 & 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM (PST)
Where: Online (Zoom), register using the button below.
Join Julian Napoleon, P.Ag. for interactive virtual workshops focused on the Small-Scale Greenhouse Training Guide for Indigenous Communities in British Columbia. These online sessions will run from January 14 through to March 25, 2026.
Workshops will focus on:
- Planning and design
- Greenhouse crop selection & management
- Sustainable growing practices
- Native food plant propagation
- Business planning and management
- Staffing and capacity building
Participants may Register for all six Zoom sessions by clicking on the button below.
Thank you to the B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF) for supporting this free opportunity.
Financial support for this project has been provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Expand Your Agrifood Business Across B.C. webinar
When: January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (PST)
Where: Online - Zoom link will be sent to registered attendees
Join B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Export Navigator, and Stong's Market for a 60-minute session on scaling your agrifood business across British Columbia.
B.C. shoppers are actively seeking out local food and beverages, looking for convenient ways to discover, try, and buy from producers and processors within their own communities. For B.C.’s agrifood businesses, the “shop local” mindset creates a major growth opportunity to move beyond your immediate region and start selling province-wide.
Whether you’re currently selling at farmers markets, local shops and online, or preparing for your first provincial retail pitch, this session will offer clear guidance and actionable steps to help you grow your footprint across B.C. with confidence.
Learning Points
- Identify tools and supports available from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, including Buy BC and Feed BC programming
- Know what it takes to make the leap from selling locally to sell provincially
- Learn what B.C retailers look for when considering new products to add to their banners
- Choose the right retail banner for your business and be successful when delivering for a provincial-level retailer
Explore the series. This session is part of a five-part series for B.C.'s agrifood businesses looking to grow and diversify into new markets. Visit exnav.co/education for more information.
Questions? Contact info@exportnavigator.ca or visit exportnavigator.ca.
Can't join live? Register using the button below to receive a recording after the session.
Ready for Retail: Pre-Tradeshow Market Readiness webinar
When: January 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST)
Where: Online
Is your company ready to maximize success at major trade shows like Canadian Health Food Association NOW and Grocery & Specialty Food West? This comprehensive two-hour webinar equips emerging and growing food and beverage brands with the essential knowledge and practical strategies needed to convert trade show participation into measurable sales growth and return on investment.
Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference
When: January 22 - 24, 2026
Where: TRADEX, Abbotsford
There is still time to register for this year's Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference!
The Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference is a three-day conference held in conjunction with the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford.
The conference features informative sessions on production practices, pest management, water management, innovation, farm business management and market insights. There is a focus on the blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, potato, field vegetable, greenhouse vegetable, floriculture, ornamental, and organic sectors in the Lower Mainland.
Ticket Pricing: $85
Register today using the button below.
The Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference is delivered by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association and the Pacific Agriculture Show.
Funding for the conference is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial- territorial initiative.
Dam Safety Management Training Workshops
Join us in February for FREE Dam Safety Management Training Workshops for agricultural dam owners, prospective dam owners, and producers! Training will be delivered by the Dam Safety Training Coordinator with support from Dam Safety Officers from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
You'll cover topics such as the Dam Safety Regulation, emergency planning and emergency response, dam surveillance and inspection, early maintenance, vegetation and animal management, and more! In-person and online workshops are being offered at the following locations:
In-person events:
Princeton: February 3 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (PST)
Merritt: February 4 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (PST)
Vernon: February 5 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (PST)
Province-wide online workshop: February 11, 2026 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (PST) *in person viewing in Williams Lake
For more information and to register, click the buttons below
Interpreting Your Soil Test Report (Version 2) and Managing Crop Nutrient Needs workshop
Did you miss the first session of “Interpreting Your Soil Test Report Workshop”? Do you have a soil test report but aren’t sure what it means? Do you know how to determine cost effective nutrient sources for your crops?
Join Ahmed Lasisi and Josh Andrews from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for additional sessions on how to decode soil test results and learn how to use them for better crop, fertilizer, and land management decisions.
Participants will learn how to:
- Interpret numbers and identify soil test limitations and nutrient imbalances
- Use a soil test report to evaluate management practices
- Understand how to select fertilizer products and alternatives
When:
Interpreting Soil Test Reports:
February 5, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (PST)
Managing Crop Nutrient Requirement and Fertilizer Needs:
February 10, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PST)
Where: Zoom (workshop link upon registration)
Contact Clare Dwyer at events02@vgnresources.ca with enquiries.
Register for the events using the buttons below.
Southern Interior Horticultural Show
When: February 11 - 12, 2026
Where: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre
Register today for the 2026 Southern Interior Horticultural Show! Early bird ends January 16th.
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show is a B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food delivered project organized in partnership with the tree fruit and grape industries. This show offers producers a unique opportunity to get the latest information on research, innovation and farming practices directly from industry experts.
This two-day event will cover a variety of important horticultural topics through extensive speaker sessions, evening networking event and an impressive tradeshow where exhibitors will showcase their products and services supporting the tree fruit and grape industries in B.C.
Register today:
Early Bird registration rate (before January 16, 2026): $50 + tax
Regular registration rate (after January 16, 2026): $75 + tax
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show is delivered by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with the B.C. Cherry Association, B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association, B.C. Grapegrowers’ Association, B.C. Wine Grape Council, Sustainable Wine Growing B.C., Wine Growers B.C., Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program, Summerland Variety Corp., and Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project.
Funding for the conference is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program
The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program 2026/27 application dates are now available.
Apply to the BMP program via the IAF Client Portal. You can start your application (i.e, draft, edit, and view) before the submissions open! You can submit your applications at 9:00 AM PST on the dates outlined below. Applications will be accepted until funding is fully subscribed. Full details: Beneficial Management Practices Program – Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
Key Dates:
For Biodiversity, Energy & Fuel Efficiency, Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP), and Extreme Weather: Plans and Assessments
- Applications open: Feb 11, 2026
- Submissions open: Mar 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM
For Nutrients & Waste Management and Soil Carbon
- Applications open: Feb 18, 2026
- Submissions open: Mar 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM
For Riparian & Grazing, Water infrastructure, and Planning Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs (P&D) (Basic, Complex, and Biogas)
- Applications open: Feb 25, 2026
- Submissions open: Mar 18, 2026, at 9:00 AM
All Applications are open until funding is fully committed.
IAF expects funding to be subscribed quickly, many of the categories within the BMP program are extremely competitive. Closing dates will be shared on the BMP website.
Funding Highlights:
- Cost-share ratios: Up to 100% for planning activities; 30-60% for most on-farm projects (depending on category)
- Lifetime funding cap: Up to $100,000 per farm
- Project timelines: 90-140 days approval or by January 31, 2027 (depending on category)
Visit the website by clicking the button below for more details.
New in 2026/27:
- Water infrastructure funding cap: $70,000 per farm
- Water infrastructure prioritization: Water storage activities are prioritized for funding within the Water Infrastructure category. IAF will review and adjudicate eligible applications for codes 0903, 0904, and 0905 (water storage activities) prior to reviewing and adjudicating the remaining Water Infrastructure activities.
- A portion of BMP Program funding is provided by CleanBC and is reserved for select activities that demonstrate a significant and measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or an increase in carbon sequestration. If funding is limited, projects eligible for CleanBC funding may be prioritized over projects that are not.
Important Details:
- A valid Environmental Farm Plan is required, unless otherwise specified
- Project activities should not commence prior to approval of the application; retroactive costs are not eligible
- Applicants can only apply for each BMP activity (i.e., Practice Code) once per fiscal year
Need Help?
Starting on the application open date for each category, you can book a 10-minute phone consultation with an IAF staff member. Prior to booking an appointment, please start your draft application and provide the ID number (similar to: BMP-202425-0####).
Environmental Farm Plan Success Story: Black Cat Crossing Farm
Thanks to support from the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Agricultural Partnership Initiative, Shari McDowell and her team have made significant strides in sustainability and efficiency.
With guidance from their EFP Planning Advisor, they completed their Environmental Farm Plan workbook and accessed crucial funding for transformative upgrades. The installation of solar panels on their barn and coop marks a major milestone in their journey toward energy independence.
This shift not only enhances their reliability but also empowers them to implement new initiatives, such as electric fencing for livestock protection, improved heating, and the introduction of meat birds! They are even planning to expand into heritage bird hatching eggs next year!
To learn more about the EFP program and to read the full story, click the buttons below.
EFP Program Funding has been provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Additional funding has been provided by CleanBC. The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF).
Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program
Calling all aspiring farmers! Applications are now open for the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program.
Young Agrarians apprenticeships are paid opportunities on host farms across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Lasting between 4 and 8 months, apprentices work alongside seasoned farmers, who offer specialized learning opportunities in regenerative agriculture. No prior experience is required.
Applications close January 31, 2026. Visit the button below to learn more and apply.
B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service
Looking to start or grow Indigenous food systems initiatives? The B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service is a free, concierge-style support to help you navigate:
• Programs, services, and funding opportunities
• Government structures and processes
• Project planning and development
• Connections to organizations, partners, and collaborators
Who can access?
Indigenous farmers, food producers, businesses, entrepreneurs, economic development corporations, non-profits and communities in B.C.
Contact us:
Email: IndigenousFoodSystems@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 236-426-5024
Funding for the B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Northern Development Initiative Trust
Northern Development Initiative Trust has $30,000 grants available to businesses who are seeking professional support to address tariff related impacts and for sustaining and/or creating employment opportunities.
The Business Advisory Supports program is currently accepting applications through the Rural and Remote Employment Initiative (RREI)!
Funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, the Business Advisory Supports program helps small businesses access the professional expertise they need and hire third-party advisors to move forward while experiencing tariff-related impacts.
Applications will be accepted onto an ongoing basis until all of the funding is allocated and will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis.
Visit the button below to apply today!
BC Agriculture and Food Export (BCAFE) Program
The BC Agriculture and Food Export (BCAFE) Program, funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP), helps agriculture, food, beverage, and seafood exporters grow sales and reduce market risk. It provides cost-shared funding for market development activities outside B.C. to help businesses and associations maintain, expand, or diversify export markets. The next intake will open January 19, 2026.
This year, the program has expanded eligible activities, including export-focused tradeshows, food fairs, sales exhibitions, consumer-focused promotional activities, marketing collateral, advertising or social media campaigns, market information and intelligence, product adaptation planning, and inbound missions (associations/boards/councils only).
Funding is available in two streams:
- Producers, processors, and cooperatives – 50/50 cost share.
- Minimum of $5,000 up to $50,000/year or 30% of the previous year’s annual revenues (whichever is lower)
- Industry associations, boards, and councils – 30% industry/70% government cost share.
- Minimum of $5,000 up to $75,000/year.
Note: The program website and guide will be updated closer to the intake opening.
Food Safety Program (FSP)
The Food Safety Program (FSP) seeks to increase adoption of new or improving existing food safety practices and systems by B.C. on-farm and B.C. post-farm businesses to enable the B.C. AgriFood sector to meet existing and new national and international food safety regulatory requirements. Apply for up to $25,000 in cost-shared funding for food safety assessments, improvements, and certifications.
Two funding streams are available: On-Farm and Post-Farm.
One application form is used for both On-Farm and Post-Farm. If you would like to apply to both, two unique applications are required.
Stream 1: On-Farm for growers, packers, and ranchers.
Stream 2: Post-Farm for processing, packaging, warehousing, transporting, distributing, and importing operations.
Cost-shared funding is available for eligible activities under three categories: Assessments, Improvements, and Certifications. Each eligible participant may apply for and receive up to a total funding limit of $25,000 during the program term, which began on November 28, 2023, and ends on March 31, 2028.
Applications are reviewed and adjudicated on a first-come, first-served basis.
All spending for 2026/27 projects must take place on or after April 1, 2026.
Applicants can apply via the IAF Client Portal starting on January 20th, 2026, visit the button below to get started.
Insurance and Income Protection Program are an important part of a farmer's overall risk management strategy. AgriStability and Production Insurance work together to provide the best coverage for producers.
AgriStability
AgriStability helps stabilize farm income by managing the risk of large income declines. The AgriStability program is based on the income and expenses of individual farms.
AgriStability is continuing to deliver enhanced benefits for those enrolled in the 2025 program year:
- Increased compensation rate to 90% (on income declines greater than 30%)
- Provides up to 75% for early payments
- Maximum payment limit increased to $6 million
Upcoming AgriStability Deadlines
March 31, 2026: 2025 Advance (Interim) Payment Deadline
Have you experienced a significant loss in your net income in 2025? AgriStability participants can apply for an early payment to get the financial assistance they need more quickly.
Apply now:
- Use our PDF form and submit it to us by email at AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
- Use our Digital form
April 30, 2026: 2026 New Participant Deadline
If you are not an AgriStability participant, but would like to join, you must submit a new participant form to us by April 30, 2026.
Join now:
- Use our Online form if you already have an AgriInvest/AgriStability PIN
- Use our PDF form if you do not have a PIN or if you just prefer paper copies and submit it to us by email AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
Staff are available to answer questions and help with the enrollment process.
- Phone: 1-877-343-2767 toll free. Support is available in English and Punjabi.
- Email: AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
- Visit: AgriStability - Province of British Columbia
Production Insurance
Production Insurance helps producers manage their risk of crop losses caused by hail, spring frost, excessive rain, drought, flooding and other extreme weather events.
In British Columbia, Production Insurance is available for:
Upcoming Production Insurance Deadlines
March 31, 2026:
- Strawberry crop application and payment deadline
- Vegetable application and payment deadline
Need Help? Production Insurance Representatives are available to help with the application and renewal process.
- Phone: 1-888-332-3352 toll-free
- Email: ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca
- Visit: Production Insurance - Province of British Columbia
Long-term Bale Grazing and Soil Moisture: What B.C. Peace Region Producers Have Learned
Watch the latest video produced by AgriServiceBC on Bale Grazing and Soil Moisture.
The video features Josh Stobbe and Rob Larson, two livestock farmers located in the B.C. Peace Region. With the help of the Peace River Forage Association of B.C. they integrated bale grazing onto their farms to grow drought resilience by increasing soil water infiltration and retention.
To learn more about Stobbe and Larson's experiences, and for more information on the benefits of bale grazing, click the buttons below.
Small-Scale Greenhouse Training Guide for Indigenous Communities in British Columbia
The Small-Scale Greenhouse Training Guide has been created to empower communities to build capacity and make informed decisions when establishing and managing greenhouse operations that are aimed at bolstering Indigenous food sovereignty. The guide also has an accompanying video available to view and a dedicated webpage has been created and more resources will be added throughout the year.
The document and video were prepared by Julian Napoleon, P. Ag. Napoleon is Dane-zaa and Cree and runs Amisk Farm in Moberly Lake, BC. Amisk Farm is a diverse market farm, focusing on growing vegetables and raising livestock using sustainable practices. Amisk Farm is also a training site for delivering farm and trades job skills to Indigenous people. Napoleon has previously worked as the head grower at Twin Sisters Native Plant Nursery, and as a field crop technician at University of British Columbia (UBC) Farm.
Julian will be also leading online sessions running January 14th through to March 25, 2026 for Indigenous greenhouse operations to participate in virtual group training. Participants may Register for all six Zoom sessions. Thank you to the B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF) for supporting this free opportunity.
Financial support for this project has been provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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