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Islands Edition
Regional Newsletter
November 2025
Feature of the month:
- AgriServiceBC Agriculture Educational Videos
Upcoming Events:
- Nov 8: Land Sharing Workshop in Duncan
- Nov 19: BC Living Lab Field Vegetables - Cover Crop Variety Trial Field Day
- Nov 25-27: 2025 BC Organic Conference
- Jan 22-24: Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference
- Jan 30-31: Island Agriculture Show
- Feb 11-12: Southern Interior Horticultural Show
Drought and Wildfire Preparedness:
- Why is FireSmart the best defense against wildfires?
Programs and funding opportunities:
- Enhanced Replant Program (ERP)
- New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA)
- The BC Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP)
- Agriculture Water Infrastructure (AWP) Stream 1 and Stream 4
- BC Vegetable Marketing Commission (BCVMC) Industry Consultation
- EFP Success Story: Sea Bluff Farm's Sustainable Environmental Practices
- BC Producer Survey on New Technologies
Business Risk Management Programs:
- Production Insurance
- AgriStability
Resources:
- Livestock Drought Management series
AgriServiceBC Agriculture Educational Videos
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has been working with industry experts and organizations to produce a series of short videos on a wide range of topics for agriculture producers and food processors. This is one of the features we have added to improve our AgriServiceBC website and make it more informative and accessible to support other resources such as production guides, factsheets, workshops, and funding programs.
Some topics covered in the short videos produced so far include: orchard and crop management for cherries or grapes, as well as agricultural soil management practices such as interpreting soil tests or using techniques to field evaluate soil structure. Others include installing and maintaining planted hedgerows or implementing innovative weed control technologies, while some cover different on-farm demonstration research trials or water management strategies such as irrigation efficiency or salinity monitoring.
You can find all of the completed videos on our AgriService BC Agriculture Educational Videos page. This project is on-going, so watch for the new ones that were produced this year and for ones that will be produced in the future.
Land Sharing Workshop in Duncan
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM PST
Location: Quw’utsun Territory. The HUB at Cowichan Station, 2375 Koksilah Rd, Duncan, B.C.
Calling all farmers and landholders on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands! Join Young Agrarians at their upcoming Land Sharing Workshop in Duncan on Saturday, November 8th to learn how you can access farmland or share your land with a farmer in the region.
Ari (Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands Land Matcher) will guide you through activities to help you create an action plan for your own land sharing journey – you’ll leave the workshop with the knowledge, resources and connections needed to turn your plan into reality. There will also be plenty of time to ask questions and connect with other community members over light refreshments.
The B.C. Land Matching Program is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, with additional support from Columbia Basin Trust, Bullitt Foundation, Cowichan Valley Regional District, and the Real Estate Foundation of BC.
BC Living Lab Field Vegetables - Cover Crop Variety Trial Field Day
Date: Wednesday, November 19
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Sam Enterprises, 3275 Boundary Rd, Abbotsford
On November 19, join the BC Living Lab Field Vegetables group for a Cover Crop Variety Trial field day hosted by the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust. The field day will showcase 22 cover crop varieties and combinations seeded at two different dates. Come see how the different types of winter cover crops compare when grown on a local field!
Refreshments provided. Please come dressed for the weather!
This is a free event that is open to all. Registration is required.
This event is supported by BC Living Lab and the Climate Agri-Solutions Fund with funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions - Living Lab program and On-Farm Climate Action Fund. These programs are delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.
2025 BC Organic Conference
Don’t miss the 2025 BC Organic Conference! Join Organic BC in Harrison Hot Springs from November 25 - 27 to farm ideas and build community.
This year’s highlights include:
- Keynotes: Jacob Beaton, Gillian Flies, Brent Preston and virtual keynote, Paul Holmbeck
- Workshops: 20+ sessions featuring practical, hands-on learning
- Trade show: The latest products, services, equipment and more
- Organic banquet: A delicious feast featuring local, organic products
- Farm tours: A close-up look at innovative practices, techniques, and tools
- Seed swap table: Bring seeds. Take seeds. Share stories!
Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference
When: January 22 - 24, 2026
Where: TRADEX, Abbotsford
The Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference provides producers the opportunity to get the latest information on research, farming practices and market opportunities from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts.
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.
Register today:
Early Bird registration rate (before January 9, 2026): $60 + tax
Regular registration rate (after January 9, 2026): $85 + tax
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.
Islands Agriculture Show
The 2026 Islands Agriculture Show will be held at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds in North Cowichan on January 30th and 31st, 2026.
For registration forms and full details, visit: www.iashow.ca
The 2026 Islands Agriculture Show will be organized and presented by the Islands Agriculture Show Society. If you would like to find out more, please contact cowex@shaw.ca.
Southern Interior Horticultural Show
When: February 11 - 12, 2026
Where: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show provides producers with the opportunity to network and access the latest information on research, innovation, and farming practices from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts.
The ever-popular tradeshow and sponsorship opportunities are back!Click the link below to apply to exhibit. Exhibitor early-bird rates end on Friday November 28, 2025, 5:00 PM PST. If this is of interest to you, please reach out to sihs@pacegroup.com and we will add you to our distribution list.
The event is delivered by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with: B.C. Cherry Association, B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association, B.C. Grapegrowers’ Association, B.C. Wine Grape Council, Wine Growers British Columbia, Sustainable Winegrowing B.C., Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release, Summerland Varieties Corp., and the Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project.
Register today:
Early Bird registration rate (before January 16, 2026): $50 + tax
Regular registration rate (after January 16, 2026): $75 + tax
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.
Why is FireSmart the best defense against wildfires?
FireSmart focuses on changes to the area within 30 meters of a structure—especially the structure itself and the first 1.5 meters around it—to have the greatest potential to reduce the chances of a structure igniting.
Did you know that embers are the leading cause of structure ignition? FireSmart addresses the root causes of structure ignition, including embers that can travel kilometers ahead of a wildfire.
Watch ‘Farmers talk FireSmart’ or apply now (button below) for a FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Assessment.
Take control and make your property a wildfire-resilient operation to protect your people, animals, and livelihood.
Enhanced Replant Program
B.C. berry, wine grape and tree fruit producers will receive more support to replant their farms, vineyards and orchards with climate-resilient fruit that will increase regional food supply, grow the economy and ensure people in British Columbia continue to enjoy fresh, local fruit and wine.
Upcoming Application Dates
Stream 3: Berry Replant
Applications Open!
Submissions opened: November 3, 2025, 9 AM Pacific
Stream 1: Tree Fruit Replant
Applications opened: October 28, 2025
Submissions open: November 12, 2025, 9 AM Pacific
Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal
Applications open: November 12, 2025
Webinar: November 13, 2025, 12 PM Pacific (Register)
Submissions open: November 25, 2025, 9 AM Pacific
Stream 2: Wine Grape Replant
Applications open: November 18, 2025
Webinar: November 20, 2025, 12 PM Pacific (Register)
Submissions open: December 2, 2025, 9 AM Pacific
The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator (NEFBA) program is now open!
The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator (NEFBA) Program supports the growth of new entrants by providing financial support for the development and implementation of farm business plans and growth strategies. The NEFBA Program supports business planning and cost-shared purchasing of commercial farm infrastructure and equipment needed to accelerate the revenue growth of farm businesses.
Through the NEFBA Program, a new farm business can receive support to develop a growth strategy and to make investments necessary to achieve farm income growth goals, ensure commercial viability and strengthen financial sustainability.
Applications are open from November 3 to November 24, 2025.
Funded in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative
The BC Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) is opening soon!
The BC Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) will open for applications on November 17th, 2025. Funding is available under two streams:
- Stream 1: Agri-business skills and leadership development
Funding up to 70% to a maximum contribution of $2,000
- Stream 2: Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery
Funding up to $7,500 for individual business
Program funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants until the application deadline on 4:30 pm on December 08, 2025, or the funding has been fully allocated.
Applications are open from November 17 to December 8, 2025.
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) Stream 1 and Stream 4 opening November 18
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) will be accepting funding applications on November 18 under Stream 1 (Producer Projects)
Stream 1: Producer Projects
Stream 1 provides cost-shared funding support for large-scale water infrastructure projects led by producers with a focus on water storage and conveyance system improvements.
For more information on Stream 1 including a list of eligible activities and eligible applicants, please visit the links below:
Stream 4: Strategic Projects
Stream 4 focuses on supporting strategic and collaborative community projects in areas with high water use conflict, risks to the aquatic ecosystem (e.g., environmental flow needs), existing and potential risks of agricultural water shortage, and/or opportunities to expand water availability through community-led strategic projects.
For more information on Stream 4 including eligible activities, eligible applicants, and priority watersheds being considered for Stream 4, please visit the links below:
Prospective applicants with questions are encouraged to reach out to IAF by email (awp@iafbc.ca) or by phone (250) 940-6150 and (or) book a 10-minute appointment (completed by phone) with an IAF staff member.
BC Vegetable Marketing Commission (BCVMC) Industry Consultation
Vegetable Grower Consultation:
The BC Vegetable Marketing Commission is looking for feedback from growers who could be affected by proposed revisions to the commission’s general order.
The Commission hosted town hall meetings this fall to walk through the Task Force’s suggested changes and give growers a chance to ask questions or share comments. Growers can also send feedback by email (info@bcveg.com) until November 21.
A summary of the proposed changes are available in the Licensing Changes Table, comparable with the Current BCVMC General Order.
Vegetables that are subject to the General Order are as follows:
Storage Crops - Regulated for fresh and processing use
- Beets (tops off)
- Green Cabbage
- Red Cabbage
- Carrots (tops off)
- Parsnips
- Potatoes (all types, varieties)
- Rutabaga
- White (purple top) turnips
- Yellow onions
Greenhouse Crops - Regulated for fresh and processing use
- Cucumbers (all types)
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes (all types)
- Peppers (all types, including hot/spicy varieties)
Processing Crops - Regulated for processing use only
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Corn
- Peas
- Strawberries
EFP Program Success: Sea Bluff Farm
Robin Tunnicliffe, an organic vegetable farmer and the chair of the Metchosin Agricultural Committee, with her Master of Arts in food policy from the University of Victoria recently completed an Environmental Farm Plan for her farm, Sea Bluff Farm Ltd. Robin expressed reassurance in the sustainability of her farming practices thanks to the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program.
"I really enjoyed the process of doing the environmental farm plan. It was an afternoon of visiting with a retired farmer, and we worked together through the workbook," she said. "I'm confident that anyone can succeed at this."
The ease with which Robin found the EFP process gave her the confidence to apply for the Beneficial Management Practices program (BMP) this January.
The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program is a confidential, no-cost initiative that helps BC farmers and ranchers identify environmental and climate-related risks on their farms. Through the planning process, many participants find practical ways to improve their operations—supporting sustainable practices and helping farms remain efficient and competitive in a changing agricultural landscape.
To learn more or begin your own EFP, visit Environmental Farm Plan Program – Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
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).
BC Producer Survey on New Technologies
We invite you to take part in a short survey for a research project led by Royal Roads University and the University of the Fraser Valley. This survey looks at how fruit and vegetable farmers in BC are using or may be interested in using different types of farming technology. These technologies include digital tools, controlled environment agriculture systems, and agri-genomics. Your responses in this survey will be used to help improve farming policies, tools, and support programs for BC farmers.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your answers will be kept private. Names or any other personal identifiers will not be collected. When reporting on the outcomes of the study, the results will be aggregated and not linked to any individual.
Production Insurance
Insurance and Income Protection 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.
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 application deadlines
November 30:
- Forage application and renewal deadline
- Tree fruit application and renewal deadline
Need Help? Production Insurance Representatives are available to help with the application and renewal process.
- Phone: 1-888-332-3352 toll-free
- ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca
- Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance
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 offers enhanced benefits for 2025:
- 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
December 31:
- 2025 Enrollment fee deadline (with penalty) – last chance to ensure coverage is in place for the 2025 year!
- 2024 Statement A Submission Deadline (with penalty) - the supplemental page must be completed for you to be eligible.
- Individuals: Supplemental page is Page 7 of the Statement A (T1273)
- Corporations: Supplemental page is Page 5 of the Statement A (1373-E) Corporations can easily submit Statement A details using our online form.
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
Livestock Drought Management Series
What if your hay barn could save you thousands every year? Learn how strategic investments in forage and feed infrastructure can pay off for decades in Article 6 of the Livestock Drought Management Series.
Missed the last e-bulletin? Catch-up on previous issues here.
