Kootenay & Boundary Edition

Regional Newsletter
April 2025

Spring seems to be coming on fast so our April intro will be succinct.  A preview of the content you can find in the April edition:

Upcoming events

• Kootenay School Food Gathering
• Tree Fruit Production Guide Update Meeting
• Boundary Region Watershed Forum
• BC Cattleman's AGM in Cranbrook

Programs and Funding Opportunities

• Tree Fruit Climate Change Response Fund
• Knowledge and Technology Transfer funding
• On Farm Technology Adoption Program
• OFCAF Rotational Grazing Funding
• AgriStability and Production Insurance
• Food Innovation Booster Program

Resources

• Extension of ALC Exemption of the '50% rule' for Tree Fruit and Wineries
• Free AgriShield Subscription
• Towards Increased Profits benchmarking
• Emergency Preparedness
• Grapevine Disease Research

You are invited to the inaugural Kootenay School Food Gathering, a dynamic event bringing together school food advocates and stakeholders from across the region. This is an opportunity to collaborate, exchange ideas, and shape the future of sustainable and impactful school food programs in the Kootenays. 

• Date: Monday, April 7, 2025 
• Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM  
• Location: Creston, BC 
• Cost: Free 

Expect a full day of facilitated discussions, engaging presentations, and knowledge sharing. All fueled by refreshments and a nourishing meal—because what’s a school food gathering without great food? 

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. 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.

No registration needed, access the meeting via the link below.

Boundary Region Watershed Forum

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is excited to announce the upcoming Watershed Forum, taking place May 1 – 2, 2025, in Grand Forks, BC. 

This year’s forum will focus on building resilient watersheds and communities, bringing together experts, practitioners, and community members to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and explore a diversity of approaches for the Boundary Region and Kettle River Watershed. 

More information and their stellar agenda is available at the link below.

Save The Date: BC Cattlemen's 2025 AGM and Conference

June 5, 6 & 7 - Cranbrook, BC 

Early Bird Registration March 1 - April 15, 2025  

'Never Too Late to Learn Something New' is the theme for the 2025 AGM & Conference being hosted by the Kootenay Livestock Association in the city of Cranbrook, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Kootenay Rockies.

* Residents of the Columbia Basin receive a $100 subsidy per individual thanks to the generosity of the Columbia Basin Trust. Please refer to the Columbia Basin Trust map to see if you're are a resident and qualify for the subsidy: https://ourtrust.org/about/basin-map/

Schedule available at their Eventbrite page.

Update: 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: 

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

The 2025 Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program 

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.

Accepting application now - this year the program is using an ongoing intake until funds are fully committed for activities that take place before March 1, 2026. 

Review the 2025 Program Guide (PDF, 506 KB)

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.

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 

CFGA's 2025 Rotational Grazing Implementation Funding Now Available

The Canadian Forage & Grassland Association is pleased to announce the upcoming application intake period for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) dedicated to rotational grazing implementation. Producers across Canada can apply for this valuable funding opportunity from April 1 through April 30, 2025.

This program supports farmers in implementing effective rotational grazing systems that can improve soil health, enhance carbon sequestration, and increase overall farm sustainability.

Resources Available:

Detailed program information and eligibility requirements: On-Farm Climate Action Fund

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. 

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.

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

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!
Visit  www.fmc-gac.com/agrishield-subscription to subscribe for free!
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 

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

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.