Thompson Nicola Edition

Regional Newsletter
February

Feature of the month:

• Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program - Upcoming application dates

Upcoming Events:

• Feb 5 & 10: Interpreting Your Soil Test Report (Version 2) and Managing Crop Nutrient Needs workshop
• Feb 11-12: Southern Interior Horticultural Show 
• Feb 11 & 25 | Mar 11 & 25: Small-Scale Greenhouse Training for Indigenous Communities workshop series
• Feb 19: Develop an Effective Export Marketing Strategy for your Agrifood Business webinar series
• Feb 19: BC HR Toolkit webinar
• Feb 25: Rotational Grazing as a Tool for Weed Control

Funding programs and services:

• 2026 Buy BC Partnership Program - Accepting applications
• Environmental Farm Plan Success Story: Harbour Farm Organics
• B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service Available
• BC Agriculture and Food Export Program - Applications close Feb 13
• Food Safety Program - Accepting applications
• Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program - Accepting applications

Business Risk Management Programs:

• AgriStability - Accepting applications
• Production Insurance - Accepting applications

Resources:

• The 2026 Agriculture Census is coming!
• Unlock Farm Profit Insights with TIP Benchmarks
• Video: Introduction to On-Farm Demonstration Research (48 minutes)

Beneficial Management Practices Program

The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program 2026/27 application dates are now available.

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.

2026/27 Application Dates by Program:

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

Nutrients & Waste Management and Soil Carbon

• Applications open: Feb 18, 2026
• Submissions open: Mar 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM

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)

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####).

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. 

Southern Interior Horticultural Show 

Register today for the Southern Interior Horticultural Show!

The full program including a detailed schedule with topics and speakers is now live on the registration website.

When: February 11 - 12, 2026
Where: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

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.

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.

Small-Scale Greenhouse Training for Indigenous Communities workshop series

When:
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 February 11 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

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.

Develop an Effective Export Marketing Strategy for your Agrifood Business webinar series

Learn how to develop an effective export marketing strategy that can help your business grow and diversify into new markets in this upcoming webinar.

When: February 19, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:30 AM (PST)
Where: Online - Zoom link will be sent to registered attendees

Reaching new customers outside of B.C. requires more than great products. Agrifood businesses need a marketing strategy that accounts for new buyers, pricing expectations, a competitive landscape, and the cost of interprovincial or international promotions.

Join Export Navigator and guest speakers for a practical session on building a marketing strategy for markets beyond B.C. We’ll discuss how to approach interprovincial and international markets, including how to adapt your value proposition, set effective pricing, and choose promotion channels that make sense for your business stage. You’ll also learn about funding and advisory support available to help offset marketing and expansion costs.

Whether you’re planning your first expansion outside B.C. or refining your approach in new markets, this session will provide clear direction and resources on how you can develop an effective export marketing strategy.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the components and considerations required for an export marketing strategy.
2. Discuss pricing and promotion approaches when considering entering new markets.
3. Learn about the Trade Accelerator Program as a hands-on avenue to develop an export strategy.
4. Understand how to leverage provincial and federal programs offered by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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

B.C. HR Toolkit webinar

When: February 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM (PST)
Where: Online (Zoom), register using the button below.

The B.C. Agriculture HR Toolkit is now live, a free online resource for employers across British Columbia.

• 120+ templates, guides & checklists
• HR tools designed for agriculture
• Free access for BC employers

💻 Join CAHRC's free toolkit walkthroughs! Learn the best way to utilize the Toolkit for your operation. Ask your questions and discover the benefits of this FREE resource

The toolkit is designed to be an all-in-one resource for B.C. Agriculture and Food -processing employers. Learn the best way to utilize the Toolkit for your operation. Ask your questions and discover the benefits of this FREE resource.

B.C. HR Toolkit webinar

When: February 25, 2026 at 1:00 - 3:00 PM (PST)
Where: Online

Join the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association and Organic BC for a free online session on using intensive rotational grazing as a powerful strategy for weed control. Rather than viewing weeds as a burden, learn how to use livestock management to improve pasture health and suppress common weeds and invasive species.

The session features Sarah Flack, grazing expert and author, along with BC-specific insights, lessons from a multi-year targeted grazing project, and short, real-world talks from local farmers.

Bring your soil and forage tests—live analysis and practical takeaways will help you apply what you learn right away!

This project was funded by the Climate AgriSolutions Fund. Funding for the Climate AgriSolutions Fund has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions On-Farm Climate Action Fund.

2026 Buy BC Partnership Program

The Buy BC Partnership Program provides up to $2 million annually to producers, processors, and associations to undertake marketing activities that increase consumer awareness and sales of local agriculture, food and beverage products.

The current intake is open from January 26 to February 20, 2026.

Funding is available in two streams:

For Producers, processors, and cooperatives, funding is available from a minimum of $5,000 per year up to:

• A maximum of $15,000 per year for Applicants with an annual gross revenue less than $250,000, and;
• A maximum of $30,000 per year for Applicants with an annual gross revenue over $250,000.

For industry associations, boards, and councils, funding is available from a minimum of $5,000 per year up to a maximum of $75,000 per year.

Note: To be eligible, an applicant must be Buy BC Logo Licensed by February 13, 2026.

Environmental Farm Plan Success Story: Harbour Farm Organics

Located in the heart of Salt Spring Island, Harbour Farm Organics is managed by Red Seal Chef, Brooke Winters. Brooke is an early adopter of the farm-to-fork movement and knows that great ingredients make great food. However, it is difficult to grow great produce when dealing with Salt Spring Island’s annual water security issues.

To plan for upcoming water challenges, she applied to complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) for Harbour Farm Organics, to see if there were any environmental or health concerns she and her team had overlooked.

In August of 2024, Brooke met with her EFP advisor, Melanie Dyson, who helped guide her through the workbook. Water scarcity on Salt Spring Island was a concern of Brooke's. Melanie made suggestions to water storage in her EFP, which would help to address water scarcity and give guidance to water management strategies that would prioritize sustainable farming practices. With the completion of her EFP, Brooke now has a map for planning water storage.  

Brooke found the process enjoyable, "The experience was very positive, the EFP advisor was extremely knowledgeable," she exclaimed, "Made it easy for us to understand our agricultural impact on the environment. We are very proud to be a part of this program!" 

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).

B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service

The B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service is a single source for support and referral to help navigate the relevant information, tools and funding available to start or expand activities in Indigenous food systems, food sovereignty, food security and the agriculture and food sector.

Staff provide provincial wayfinding services and program referrals as required to connect people to current supports and other available opportunities including:

• Support for navigating existing programs, services and funding opportunities
• Support navigating government’s organizational structure
• Coaching through project development and planning
• Connections to sector organizations, potential industry partners, and other collaborators

To access this free service, email IndigenousFoodSystems@gov.bc.ca or call 236-426-5024 and a staff member will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

BC Agriculture and Food Export Program

Applications close February 13!

The BC Agriculture and Food Export (BCAFE) Program 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.

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

Funding for the BC Agriculture and Food Export Program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, a joint federal-provincial-territorial initiative. 

Food Safety Program

Accepting applications!

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.

Important Dates:

• Applications Close: Closure is announced when funding is fully subscribed - sign up to the Food Safety Newsletter
• Project Start: On or after April, 2026
• Project Completion: Within 5 months of approval or by January 30, 2027, whichever is first
  • If you are unable to complete your project within 5 months, please contact an IAF staff. Provided the additional time is reasonable and your project can be completed prior to February 28, 2027, extensions are eligible

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 now. 

Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program

Accepting applications!

The Student Summer Farm, Food and Fisheries Bursary Program (SSB) supports summer labour needs, youth engagement and work experience in the agricultural sector in BC. Full-time students employed in BC agriculture, food, beverage or seafood processing, fishing and aquaculture sectors during the summer season are eligible to apply for a bursary of up to $3,000.

Applications are open until funding is fully subscribed. Notification of the closing date will be provided via the program webpage and newsletter.

Students can contact ssb@iafbc.ca or 250-940-6150 with any questions about the program or to receive support with their application.

The Student Summer Farm, Food and Fisheries Bursary Program is funded under the Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI). AWDI is funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement. 

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

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

To apply: 
Fill out our PDF form and submit by email to AgriStability@gov.bc.ca or submit 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. 

To join:
Submit your application using our Online form if you already have an AgriInvest/AgriStability PIN.

If you do not have a PIN or prefer paper copies fill out our PDF form and submit by email to 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
• Website: AgriStability - Province of British Columbia

Production Insurance

Upcoming Production Insurance Deadlines:

March 31, 2026:

• Strawberry crop application and payment deadline
• Vegetable application and payment deadline

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

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

The 2026 Agriculture Census is coming!

In May 2026, some farm operators across Canada will receive an invitation in the mail to complete the Census of Agriculture questionnaire. Respondents will be able to complete their questionnaire online using their Secure Access Code (SAC) included in the invitation letter.

Filling out the Census of Agriculture questionnaire is important for supporting the agricultural industry and local farming communities across Canada. Since 1921, the Census of Agriculture has provided a detailed portrait of the agricultural industry across Canada.

The data produced are key to supporting economic growth and sustainability for the businesses in this sector and can support decision-making around international trade, competitiveness and technological progress.

Farm organizations are also heavy users of census data and draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, develop communications and outreach activities, and conduct market research.

Statistics Canada has been working hard to make it easier for farm operators to complete their 2026 questionnaire. It is now shorter, faster and easier to complete. Farm operators are now required to only answer questions relevant to their operation's activities.

Unlock Farm Profit Insights with Towards-Increased-Profits Benchmarks

2023 Program Year Benchmarks are now available, along with 2020, 2021, and 2022 data.

The TIP benchmarks are built from information producers already submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for tax purposes, which is then securely shared with provincial AgriStability administrations. The result is a trusted, data‑driven look at real farm financial performance—while respecting privacy requirements.

Towards Increased Profits (TIP) website:  Towards-Increased-Profits (TIP)

What Can Producers Explore?
🌱 Crop Benchmarks (15 Categories)

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

🐄 Livestock Benchmarks (10 Categories)

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

💰 Income Ranges
Benchmark data can be viewed across five income levels:

• $0 - 50k
• $50 - 100k
• $100 - 500k
• $500k - 1mil
• $1 mil to infinity

(Data may be grouped where necessary to ensure adequate sample size and protect confidentiality.)

If you have any questions or would like help navigating the TIPs data, please contact Gary Flaten: (236) 766-7068 or gary.flaten@gov.bc.ca.

For more information, click the button below. 

Video: Introduction to On-Farm Demonstration Research

Check out this webinar video offered on our YouTube channel. This video is a part of B.C. Ministry of Food and Agriculture's regional extension and programming and provides a comprehensive introduction to on-farm demonstration research, highlighting three B.C. specific examples that showcase how on-farm demonstration research empowers farmers to make informed, data-driven decisions to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of their farm businesses.

Click the button below to watch the video. 

Financial support for this project has been provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

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