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Thompson Nicola Edition
Regional Newsletter
February 2025
Online Soil Health Webinar Series:
All webinars will take place 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (PST), please click on the links below to register for each of the webinars.
- February 24 - The Impacts of Soil Compaction on Soil Health
- February 26 - Managing Forage Stands for Soil Health and Productivity
- February 28 - Managing Vegetation for Snow Capture
Contact Catherine Tarasoff catherine@agrowest.ca if you have any questions.
Updated AgriService BC Website
The AgriService BC website has been updated with improved searchability and accessibility features, an events calendar, an educational videos page and more!
AgriService BC connects you to ministry programs, resources, education and events. Find tools and services to help your farm succeed in B.C.
Back by popular demand,
- Tuesday, February 25, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Thursday, February 27, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Webinars will cover introductory, planning, management-practices and case-study information and materials.
Following the webinars, participants can register for one-one-ones to discuss their own ideas, operations or
questions with topic experts.
All webinars will be held via Zoom. No charge for registration. To register please visit the event landing page and follow the registration link. Register for any or all of the sessions in the series.
Online Event:
Camera-Guided, Tractor-Mounted Weeding Equipment
On March 3rd, join Organic BC for an engaging online session featuring tractor-mounted, camera-guided weeding equipment! This session is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, share experiences, and get answers to all your questions about these weeding systems.
Reps from leading manufacturers (Carre, Einbock, Raven Industries and Lemken/Steketee) will present key specs and capabilities
Three farmers will share their firsthand knowledge of how these systems have performed in different farming environments, plus valuable tips for optimizing their use
Take part in an interactive Q&A where you can ask questions directly to the reps and farmers and really dig into the challenges and advantages of this technology
This event is free but registration is required. Save your spot here.
Financial support was provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Nutrient Management Plan
Training in Vernon
Nutrient management plans (NMPs) are used to help farmers efficiently meet their production objectives and protect the environment. The training program will provide trainees with the expertise to use planning tools and produce NMPs as a service to farmers or for their own farm. Course content focuses on how to build a plan that meets objectives laid out in the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management. Visit the nutrient management plan training website to learn more.
Join us in Vernon for a 2-day accelerated in-person training session from March 4th and 5th to expedite your completion of the NMP course.
This 2-day accelerated in-person training session is FREE. However, participants must be enrolled in the Open School BC Nutrient Management Plan course. Course enrollment is $100.
To attend this 2-day in-person training, you must have completed the self-paced online portion (Step 1) of the course.
For further inquiries, please reach out to Ahmed Lasisi at ahmed.lasisi@gov.bc.ca.
Lunch, coffee, and snacks will be provided at the training.
The Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency Program is no longer accepting new applications, as funding requests have exceeded available funding. We thank all applicants for their interest in the program.
Environmental Farm Plan
Get ready for next year’s Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) funding! Complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) to unlock BMP program funding.
The EFP Program is a no-cost program providing BC farmers and ranchers the opportunity to identify climate risks on their farms. Through this program, you will identify on-farm environmental and climate risks in your operations and learn how these risks can be mitigated, with funding support available through the BMP program.
The BC Agriculture and Food Export Program has extended the deadline for applications to 4:00 pm PST, Monday, February 10, 2025.
BCAFE helps B.C. businesses expand and sustain their export markets. It offers cost-shared funding for market development outside B.C. Funding for this program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Application Dates: January 6 – February 10, 2025.
Find out more by visiting bcagricultureandfoodexportprogram.ca.
Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program
25/26 BMP Program Details Are Here!
The BMP Program is a cost-share incentive program designed to help farm and ranch operations address risks identified in their Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs).
Applications for the 25/26 BMP Program opened on January 14, 2025, beginning with Planning, Technical Assessments, Engineered Designs, and Water Infrastructure BMPs.
Important Dates and Details
Applicants are encouraged to begin drafting their applications as soon as the application window opens.
This preparation will ensure readiness for submission, including addressing questions, gathering details, and obtaining quotes. Submissions will be accepted between 9:00 am PST and 4:00 pm PST on the designated dates.
Intake Windows by BMP Category
- Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs BMPs
- Applications open: January 14, 2025
- Submissions open: January 14, 2025 (Ongoing until funding is fully committed)
- Water Infrastructure BMPs
- Applications open: January 14, 2025
- Submission window: February 10, 2025 – February 21, 2025
- Biodiversity and Riparian & Grazing BMPs
- Applications open: February 20, 2025
- Submission window: March 13, 2025 – March 20, 2025
- Soil Carbon, Energy & Fuel Efficiency, and Nutrient & Waste Management BMPs
- Applications open: March 4, 2025
- Submission window: March 25, 2025 – April 1, 2025
What’s New for 2025/26?
- "Book a Call" Feature
Starting on the application open date, applicants can book a phone consultation with IAF staff to discuss their BMP application. - EFP Expiry Grace Period
A 6-month grace period is available for EFP renewals in 2025/26 for delays due to circumstances beyond the applicant’s control. Return of the Farm Cap
A $100,000 farm cap applies to most categories, with an exception for Water Infrastructure, which has a $200,000 cap.
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted through the IAF Client Portal.
- Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis according to the schedule.
- Visit www.iafbc.ca/bmp/ to explore opportunities for your farm or ranch.
Subscribe to IAF’s program newsletter or Growing Today to stay informed about the BMP Program.
Don’t Miss Out!
The BMP Program is a multi-year funding opportunity with annual intakes. If you miss this intake, you can apply in the next round.
Prepare early, stay informed, and make the most of the BMP Program to benefit your farm or ranch operation!
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program
Stream 3: Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans
Applications for Stream 3 of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program are open!
Are you a Producer, Improvement District, Local Government, Non-Profit, or Community Group looking to complete an assessment, engineering study or plan before starting a water infrastructure project? You could be eligible for cost-shared funding!
Applications are open until funding is committed.
Business Risk Management
Programs
Business Risk Management Programs 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 is a low-cost program that helps farmers manage large income losses. When your income drops because of disaster, poor production, rising costs, or bad market conditions, AgriStability can help.
2024 AgriStability Enhancement
- AgriStability 2024 enrollment deadline extended to April 30, 2025
- up to 75% for early payments (application deadline March 31, 2025)
- increased compensation rate (90% for every dollar of margin decline), and
- increased compensation limit ($6.2 Million)
Upcoming AgriStability deadlines
March 31:
2024 early payment (interim) application deadline
April 30:
- 2024 late participation deadline
- 2024 program fee deadline (with penalty)
2025 program year and fee deadline
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: www.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability
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 B.C. Production Insurance is available for Berries, Flower bulbs, Forage, Grain, Grapes, Tree fruit and Vegetables.
Upcoming Production Insurance deadlines
March 31:
- Strawberry crops application and renewal deadline
Vegetables application and renewal deadline
April 30:
- Grain application and renewal deadline
- Silage corn application and renewal deadline
- Forage spring plantings application and renewal deadline
Staff are available to help with the application and renewal process.
Phone: 1-888-332-3352 toll-free
Email: ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca
Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance
Looking for information
on Snow Conditions?
Please see the Current Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletins for 2025
Uncovering GAP:
New Mini-series from Organic BC
If you’re interested in pursuing GAP certification but are feeling overwhelmed by the process, then be sure to tune into the Organic BC podcast for three brand-new episodes on demystifying this certification! Join us as a BC farmer takes us through her journey to become GAP certified—the process, the expense and the pain points. (And, stay tuned for more information on our in-person field days coming up in early March, featuring mock GAP audits.)
Listen now at: organicbc.org/podcast
Innovative Weed Management
Check out our Innovative Weed Management Series of videos, podcasts, and webinars to learn more about promising developments in weeding technology.
Videos
These videos will be shared through AgriServiceBC shortly – for now you can check them out in our TEAMS folder:
Podcasts
- Controlling Weeds with Electricity in Perennial Systems
- Robot Weeding Tech: A look at some promising options
Past Webinars
- Advancing Weed Control: Agritech weeders in B.C. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmQr-OxgHV0
- Innovative Weed Management: Tackling Thistle and Bindweed in Agriculture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOrNjv4Ihis
Other resources
Winter Manure Management
in the Interior
In the winter months, and during certain conditions applying manure will increase the risk of manure runoff into ditches and streams, leading to the contamination of our surface water and other negative environmental impacts.
Manure should not be applied during the following conditions:
- When the ground is frozen or snow-covered
- When soil is saturated with water
- During adverse weather conditions (strong winds and/or intense rainfall)
For more information see:
Practical Tools to Protect Canadian Livestock from Foot and Mouth Disease
BCRC has released a set of tools for the prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease including biosecurity information.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly infectious virus that has serious consequences for the beef industry and populations of beef cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals worldwide, including severe economic and animal health impacts.
Follow the link below, follow, like and share!
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