No images? Click here
Peace Edition
Regional Newsletter
May 2025
In this edition...
Events
- May 15: Rural Minds Matter Town Hall Discussion
- May 20-22: Basic Wildland Fire Training - May 20-22
Funding Opportunities
- B.C. Crop and Livestock Reporter Program
- 2026 Nuffield Scholarship
- Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program
Resources
- Rental Rates vs Farmland Values
- Wildfire Planning
And more!
Time to Scout for Cutworms
Now is the time to scout for cutworms. Watch for fields with dead patches, high apparent winterkill, or that look patchy. Check the first inch or so of soil at the edge of damaged patches. As seeding continues, watch for fields that are not emerging as expected or start to look patchy.
Read more about monitoring and control options:
2025 Invasive Species Research Conference
Date: May 13-15, 2025
Format: Virtual, and in-person at UBC Okanagan Campus (Kelowna)
The Invasive Species Council of BC. is pleased to host the 2025 Invasive Species Research Conference – Getting ahead of the invasion curve: bridging the gap between research and management
Learn more about the event, including ticket prices and the full list of speakers, or register on the BC Invasives website
Free events from The AgLife Network
The AgLife Network is here to support farmers and agricultural workers in BC navigating mental health challenges and suicide prevention supports.
The AgLife Network - Connector Training is a suicide prevention gatekeeper and mental health awareness training for ANYONE who works with or in agriculture. Using the Check, Care, Connect model, participants will be trained in primary skills and a deeper exploration of the agricultural side of mental health.
There are two online training events in May:
- May 20, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM PDT: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1332027362699
- May 27, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM PDT: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1342879341259
In-person Rural Minds Matter Town Hall Discussion:
Join guest speakers Mike Skrypnek (Stigma-Free Mental Health Society) and Wendy Bennett (AgSafe & AgLife) to gather as a community and talk about rural and remote mental wellness. Listen to, and interact with, panelists and hosts as they share lived experience along with strategies and supports to improve mental wellness. The discussion will focus on the realities of living in rural and remote communities as well as building resilience for individuals, families, and the community. Click here for more information about Rural Minds Matter.
- Fort
St John, May 15, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM PDT: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rural-minds-matter-town-hall-discussion-fort-st-john-tickets-1334675031949
Event venue provided by Northern Lights College.
The AgLife Network is developed in partnership with AgSafeBC and the Canadian Mental Health Association of B.C. Support by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.
Basic Wildland Fire Training Course
Date: May 20 - 22, 2025
Timely opportunity to (1) receive training on how to fight fire safely and (2) increase knowledge of fire & fire behaviour.
This is the ONLY Basic Fire Schools being offered by the Peace River Forage Association in 2025.
There are 14 seats available ($500/seat).
2.5 day Basic Fire School:
- the first day will be in-class (9am-5pm, please pack a lunch).
- the second day will be in-class and in the field (9am-5pm, please pack a lunch).
- the third day will be in the field (9am-12pm).
Training will be provided by Northern FireWoRx and will include ICS100, S100 and S185 which are all the basic courses required by BC Wildfire Service standards:
- ICS 100: Incident Command System 100
- S100 Basic Fire Suppression & Safety
- S185 Fire entrapment Avoidance
During the Training: participants will complete written, oral and field exams.
Register or learn more on the PRFA website!
Pasture Calving Tour & BBQ
Join the Peace Country Beef & Forage Association for a hands-on evening at Borderview Farm, near Baytree, AB. The event will focus on pasture calving, alternative grazing techniques, and strategies to enhance herd health and efficiency. The evening will wrap up with a BBQ, please register in advance
When: May 28, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM MDT
Canadian Seed Growers' Association AGM
The Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA) will be hosting their annual general meeting in Victoria, B.C., from July 3 to 5.
Hosted at the stunning Inn at Laurel Point, this year’s AGM will feature inspiring keynotes, expert panels, timely policy discussions, strategic
workshops, and interactive sessions focused on the future of seed certification in Canada. It will be a place to learn, connect, and collaborate with growers, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and seed sector partners.
Learn more about what's on the agenda, and register on their website: CSGA 2025 AGM - Canadian Seed Growers' Association
In July 2024 the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food launched the AgriService BC Crop and Livestock Reporter Program, based on the very successful crop reporting programs in Alberta and Saskatchewan. This program is for any agricultural producer or allied tradesperson who enjoys monitoring agricultural production conditions in their area and would like to be part of a network of people contributing timely, local agricultural intel to raise awareness of growing conditions throughout B.C. and support agricultural information sharing.
Each week from May to November, Reporters will spend about 5 minutes filling out an easy online survey that collects information on rainfall, topsoil moisture conditions, seeding progress, crop development, crop damage, harvest progress, livestock feed and water supplies, and pasture conditions. This information will be used in B.C. by producers, producer organizations, government, and others interested in keeping informed of current agricultural production findings in regions across B.C.
Please visit the program website here: B.C. Crop and Livestock Reporter Program - Province of British Columbia for more information and to register as a Crop and Livestock Reporter.
2026 Nuffield Scholarship Applications Are Now OPEN
Nuffield Canada’s scholarship is an opportunity to develop global perspectives, expertise and leadership capacity in Canadian agriculture. The scholarship includes:
An 8-day Contemporary Scholars Conference with scholars from around the world (location TBD)
Global Focus Program, where small groups of 8 to 10 scholars may spend six weeks on the road together
Individual Research Travel anywhere in the world within a 2-year timeframe, for a period of no less than 10 weeks, to study their chosen topic, with six weeks of that being consecutive travel, culminating in a final report
Application Intake: April 1 - June 30 each year.
Who is eligible: Canadians between the ages of 25 – 50, from primary production to value-added processing to governance or communications
Value: Six Canadian scholarships are awarded per year, valued at $20,000.
The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program - Apply Now
The 2025–26 Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program (KTTP) is experiencing strong interest, and we encourage applicants to apply now while funding is still available.
The program provides up to 75% in cost-shared funding to support events and activities that build practical skills and knowledge among B.C. producers and processors. Eligible activities include workshops, farm tours, field days, and speaker events.
Organizations working to strengthen B.C.’s agriculture and food sector are encouraged to apply soon. Completed applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program intake will close once all funding has been committed.
Apply by visit the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program webpage (Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program - Province of British Columbia)
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 Enrolment Deadline Extension for 2025
The 2025 AgriStability enrolment deadline has been extended to July 31, 2025. This extension provides additional time for producers to register as they manage challenges such as production loss, increased costs, and changing market conditions.
Sign up for AgriStability using our online form or by sending the completed printable/fillable PDF to BC AgriStability.
Rapid Support Available
The interim rate for the 2025 Program Year has increased from 50% up to 75%. Farmers experiencing losses can apply for interim payments under AgriStability for quicker financial assistance.
Utilize Risk Management Programs
Producers are encouraged to use the comprehensive suite of business risk management (BRM) programs, including AgriStability, to protect their operations and contribute to a resilient agriculture sector.
Have questions about AgriStability?
- Call 1-877-343-2767,
- Email: mailto:AgriStability@gov.bc.ca, or
- Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability
We’re available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Service is available in English and Punjabi.
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:
Need help with Production Insurance?
- Phone: 1-888-332-3352 toll-free
- Email: ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca
- Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance
Staff are available to help with the application and renewal process.
Icebergs and Native Forages- What you can't see can sink you
This interesting article on the effects of drought and overgrazing on forage stands is posted by the Beef Cattle Research Council and can be found on their website
Rental Rates vs Farmland Value
For the past five years, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has been closely monitoring Canadian farmland rental rates and examining the impact of farmland value growth on these rates. According to the FCC Farmland values report, there was a significant increase of 9.3% in average farmland values in 2024. While this growth rate is slower compared to recent years, it remains notably high. In contrast, the trends in cash rental rates have been more moderate.
Renting land is an important business decision to manage financial risk. The duration, conditions and options negotiated when renting land has a large impact on the rental market trends. This can lead to rental agreements lagging farmland value changes in the short term.
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. Staff provide provincial wayfinding services and program referrals as required to connect people to current supports and other available opportunities.
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.
WorkWell by AgSafe
Many temporary foreign workers (TFWs) come from regions where occupational health and safety regulations are less stringent or inconsistently enforced. In some cases, workplace hazards are viewed as unavoidable, and safety measures may be neglected due to economic constraints or a lack of employer accountability. These differences in safety culture create challenges for employers striving to provide effective orientation and training.
Recognizing the critical role of TFWs in Canada’s agricultural industry, AgSafe BC sought to enhance existing safety education methods. The result is WorkWell, a FREE mobile app designed to reinforce safety education in a way that is continuous, engaging, and personalized. WorkWell complements traditional training programs by delivering bite-sized courses and interactive quizzes to ensure ongoing learning. Additionally, the app allows workers to log their hours and track workplace incidents, helping to secure fair wages and provide reliable documentation for injury claims.
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
