South Coast Edition

Regional Newsletter
February 2025

Groundwater Licensing
Drop-in Session

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.

www.gov.bc.ca/agriservicebc

LARGE-SCALE IRRIGATION WORKSHOP

Join us at Southern Irrigation in Chilliwack, BC, and learn how to manage your large-scale irrigation system to boost yields while conserving water.

This is the perfect workshop for dairy farmers, forage growers and those who own or are interested in a pivot or irrigation reel!

RSVP Deadline: February 7, 2025

Register

Tickets

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.

Learn More

Virtual Nutrient
Management Plan Training

Nutrient management plans (NMPs) are used to help farmers efficiently meet their production objectives and protect the environment. This NMP 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.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Food is organizing a one-full day online facilitated session of the NMP training course. Visit the nutrient management plan training website to learn more.

Date: February 26, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm PST

Participants will receive the Zoom link prior to the event day.

For further inquiries, please reach out to Ahmed Lasisi at ahmed.lasisi@gov.bc.ca.

Register

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.

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!

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

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

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

BC ARM Tool

Want to spread manure this February and March? Use the BC ARM Tool

During the shoulder season, it becomes even more important to plan manure spreading around the changing weather conditions. Make sure manure and its nutrients will stay on the field by assessing the risk of runoff and nutrient loss before you spread using the BC ARM Tool.

For producers in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, the BC ARM Tool can help you complete a risk assessment prior to manure application. Risk assessments must show a ‘Low’ risk of runoff and nutrient loss prior to application under B.C.’s environmental legislation.

The BC ARM Tool uses upcoming precipitation and your current field conditions, such as soil moisture and soil cover, to determine the risk of manure loss after application. Risk assessments should be completed within 24 hours for each field that will receive manure applications.

Try out the BC ARM Tool here: https://agri-nmp-msa.apps.silver.devops.gov.bc.ca/

More info:

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

Past Webinars