Okanagan Edition

Regional Newsletter
April 2025

Welcome to the April 2025 newsletter!  We have several April learning opportunities to highlight and some big funding programs opening for applications soon. 

The April newsletter includes:

Upcoming Spring Events

• Tree Fruit Production Guide Update Meeting

Programs and Funding Opportunities

• Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program 
• Tree Fruit Climate Change Response Fund Update
• The Next Application Intake for the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program 

Resources

• Disposal of Agricultural Vegetative Debris 
• Towards Increased Profits Benchmarks Website
• Farm & Ranch Wildfire Guide & Plan
• More guides to burn safely or explore alternatives

Tree Fruit Production Guide Update Meeting

The BC Fruit Growers' Association is hosting a Zoom Tree Fruit Production Guide update meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 - 11:30 AM. The meeting is open to all growers and industry professionals and will cover updates to the Production Guide. Growers may be eligible to collect PAC points for attending. 

The 2025 Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program is Open for Applications 

The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program (KTTP) provides funding to help organizations host activities and events that strengthen B.C.’s agriculture and food sector. The Program reimburses up to 75% of eligible costs for activities under two streams:  

• Stream 1 (up to $1,500 per project) focuses on Knowledge Development activities, such as Inviting Subject Matter Experts to share their knowledge at various events.  
• Stream 2 (up to $7,500 per project) emphasizes Skill Development of food producers and processors through hands-on activities.  

To qualify, applications must show how the activities will transfer knowledge and/or build the skills of agriculture and seafood producers or processors with active operations in B.C.   

Important Dates  

The Program opened on March 19th, 2025, and will stay open until funds are fully committed. Funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis for all eligible completed applications. Activities must take place between April 16, 2025 - March 1, 2026.  

How to Apply  

1. Download and review the Program Guide (PDF, 506 KB)
2. Get your BCeID – If you don’t have one, register for a free Basic BCeID or Business BCeID at www.bceid.ca.
3. Save your credentials – Keep your BCeID user ID and password safe, as you’ll need them to access your application and to submit your reimbursement claim
4. Select your Stream - Go to the Applicant Portal and scroll down to find application links for Stream 1 and Stream 2
5. Log In – Use your BCeID to access the online application form
6. Use the same BCeID for claims - Reimbursement claims must be submitted 30 days after the project end date

If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to contact us at Knowledge.Transfer@gov.bc.ca.

Funding for this Program is provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Update: Tree Fruit Climate Change Response Fund

Update for the last post regarding the Tree Fruit Climate Change Response Fund 
 
B.C.’s tree fruit growers will soon have access to direct financial assistance to help in strengthening their operations and enhance long-term resilience and sustainability. 
 
The 2025 British Columbia Tree Fruit Climate Change Response Fund is a $10-million one-time payment fund, to support tree fruit growers in response to the significant challenges faced over the past four years, and the ongoing threats impacting the sector. 
 
Payments eligibility will be for those with a minimum of 2.47 eligible acres and will be limited to a maximum of 70 eligible acres.
 
The application process for the 2025 British Columbia Tree Fruit Climate Change Response Fund is still being finalized. However, we can confirm that: 

1. Applications will be submitted through B.C. government PODS applicant portal
2. A BCeID account will be required to access the application form (BCeID - Home)
3. Applicants should gather key documents (such as a property map) to streamline their application.

Relief For Wineries and Tree Fruit Growers Extended

The Province has extended the exemptions to the “50 percent rule” for wineries and tree fruit growers operating on Agricultural Land Reserve land. The exemptions were originally set to expire on March 31, 2025, but have been extended until March 31, 2026. The extension will allow both industries more time to recover and respond to ongoing challenges impacting their industries with flexibility.

The Next Application Intake for
the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program 

The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is accepting applications for its third intake between March 17 - April 28, 2025. Virtual fences and software applications may be considered.

The Program provides cost-shared funding to eligible participants to adopt new technologies on-farm to enhance profitability, productivity, and/or efficiency to help alleviate the impacts of labour shortages and rising operational costs. The program is competitive, and funding is not guaranteed. 
 
B.C.-based farmers can apply, and successful recipients will be awarded up to $100,000 to fund projects to adopt innovative technology that can improve labour efficiency. Financial support is provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, and the program is delivered by Innovate BC. 
 
In case of questions, please contact Innovate BC: integratedmarkets@innovatebc.ca 

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.

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.  

2024 AgriStability Enhancement

• increased compensation rate to 90% on income declines greater than 30%  
• provides up to 75% for early payments (March 31, 2025 deadline), and 
• increased compensation limit ($6.2 Million) 

Through Late Participation, clients have until April 30, 2025, to enrol in AgriStability's 2024 program year. 

Upcoming AgriStability deadlines 

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: https://www.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability   

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

• Berries
• Flower bulbs
• Forage
• Grain
• Grapes
• Tree fruit
• Vegetables 

Upcoming Production Insurance deadlines   

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: https://www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance

Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Innovation Booster Program 

Start your application for the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Innovation Booster Program funding! Applications will be accepted between February 24 - March 25, 2025, and July 7 - August 12, 2025. 
 
The Innovation Booster Program is designed to provide flexible and rapid support to Small or Medium Enterprises as they address food innovation challenges or technical hurdles that have created a barrier for achieving their commercialization goals. Learn more about the program eligibility and funding support on the CFIN website. 

Last call for Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Foodtech Next Program 

Last call for Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Foodtech Next Program Funding! Applicants can submit an Expression of Interest between February 24, 2025, - April 7, 2025. The full application deadline is May 26, 2025. 
 
The Foodtech Next Program is a unique funding opportunity for early-stage Canadian technology firms who seek to be part of -- or sell to -- the wider food industry. The program allows companies to demonstrate and pilot their innovation in operational environments to prove their solutions and validate the return on investment for the food sector. Learn more on the CFIN website. 

Early Season Drought Preparedness Tips and Resources

The March 1 snow conditions and water supply bulletin indicates that the provincial snowpack is below normal in many parts of B.C. While it’s still too early to know what the situation may look like this year, it’s never too soon to think about how you can prepare your farm to best cope with changing drought conditions.

• Visit our Drought in Agriculture webpage for current information, resources and tools including: water management considerations, irrigation scheduling and water use calculators, links to current weather data, soil and crop management tips, livestock considerations, and links to relevant programs and financial supports.
  • Producers have until April 30, 2025 to enroll in 2024 BC AgriStability Enhancement Program for the 2024 Program Year!
• Visit the B.C. Drought Information Portal for the latest information on drought levels, groundwater monitoring, streamflow and snow basin indices maps.
• Visit our Agricultural soil and nutrients webpages to learn more about how to manage your soils to reduce drought impacts including how to monitor and maximize soil water retention

Disposal of Agricultural Vegetative Debris - Reminder

Remember to follow any relevant provincial and local regulations when you dispose of agricultural vegetative debris, including fruit trees and grape vines that you have removed. Make sure that you separate the vegetative debris from other materials such as treated wood, irrigation tubing, wire, PVC pipe, plastic, rubber, etc. Consider re-using the vegetative materials beneficially by chipping/mulching it or using an off-farm disposal option.

If you must burn, do your homework and make sure you follow provincial and local government regulations and restrictions. Checking with your fire department and local government for their burning requirements is a good place to start.

Open Burning Alternatives for Agricultural Producers in British Columbia is a helpful resource for further information.

Open Burning Practices for Farmers & Ranchers

Spring clean-up is here! Before lighting that burn pile, ensure you're following safe practices to protect your farm, livestock, and community. Check your local bylaws and regulations and remember to remove any prohibited materials (e.g. treated or painted wood, plastic, rubber, etc.) from the burn pile. Escaped fires can be devastating—check out these guides to burn safely or explore alternatives: 

• Alternatives to Open Burning 
• Open Burning Practices for Farmers & Ranchers

New Video from Organic BC: 
Rotational Grazing as a Tool in
Climate Change Adaptation

In Organic BC’s newest video, visit Blue Sky Ranch in the Nicola Valley, where farmer Julia Smith is working hard to keep a healthy pasture in the face of climate change by following the principles of rotational grazing. Learn more about these practices and how she’s building up the land to be more resilient!

Produced in collaboration with the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association.

This video was funded in part by through the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.

Watch the video here.

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Take control of your farm’s future—start using AgriShield today!
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Use the PASSCODE: BCFarmers

Towards Increased Profits Benchmarks 

Want to know more about commodity-specific returns in different income ranges?  
Then go to the Towards Increased Profits (TIP) website: Towards-Increased-Profits (TIP)

What’s new? The 2022 Program Year Benchmarks are now available (as well as the 2020 & 2021 Program Year Benchmarks).   
This information is what producers file to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
You now can look up: 

15 Crop Types, including:

• Apples, Berries (Blueberries, Cranberries), Cherries
• Floriculture, Forage, Grains & Oilseeds
• Grapes, Mushrooms, Nursery
• Potatoes, Tree Fruits, Vegetables (Field & Greenhouse)

10 Livestock Categories, including:

• Apiculture, Dairy, Swine
• Cattle (Cow/Calf, Feeder), Poultry (Chickens, Layers, Turkeys)
• Other Livestock

5 Income Ranges:

• $0–50k, $50–100k, $100–500k, $500k–1M, $1M+
• (unless they must be grouped together to obtain a large enough sample size to address privacy concerns). 

Please don’t hesitate to contact Gary Flaten if you have any questions.  

Farmers & Ranchers: Prepare with a Wildfire Plan

• Your local government is your key source of information during emergencies - are you registered to receive their updates? (Regional district, municipality, or First Nation) 
• How will you protect livestock—relocate? Shelter in place? 
• Have you taken steps to reduce the risk of losing critical farm & ranch structures? 

Build your personalized Wildfire Plan today to 

• Share and receive information from key contacts involved in wildfire response 
• Take effective action before and during wildfire 

Reduce risks, protect what matters, and recover when the smoke clears: Farm & Ranch Wildfire Guide & Plan 

Business Advisory Service Offerings

The Province of BC is now offering free business advisory services. 
Business advisory services include: 

• Free one-on-one consultations with expert advisors
• Access to resources designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive
• Guidance on navigating government programs and funding opportunities 

Fighting Grapevine Root Diseases
Research Summary

Researchers in Kelowna tested the role of cover crops in fighting fungal diseases and parasitic nematodes in BC vineyards. 
 
Some brassica cover crops have a special ability to suppress the growth of bacteria, fungi, nematodes, weeds, and insect pests through chemicals that they naturally produce! The researchers tested four brassica species: white mustard, tillage radish, shepherd’s purse, and rockcress. 

Missed the last e-bulletin? Catch-up on previous issues here.