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Peace
Regional Newsletter
November 2025
Feature of the month:
- New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program
Upcoming Events:
- Nov 13: Impact of Invasive Plants on B.C. Grasslands webinar
- Nov 17&18: Producer Emergency Preparedness Sessions
- Nov 20: Building Resilient Forage Systems
- Nov 26: BC South Peace Stockmen's Association AGM
- Nov 27: Peace River Forage Association AGM & Livestock Management Workshop
- Nov 28-29: Livestock Management Workshops
- Nov 12-Dec 3: Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab Webinar Series
Drought and Wildfire Preparedness:
- Why is FireSmart the best defense against wildfires?
Programs and funding opportunities:
- EFP Success Story: Sea Bluff Farm's Sustainable Environmental Practices
- Agriculture Water Infrastructure (AWP) Stream 1 and Stream 4
- The BC Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP)
- BC Producer Survey on New Technologies
Business Risk Management Programs:
- Production Insurance
- AgriStability
Resources:
- Livestock Drought Management series
- Building Reliable Stock Water Systems Through years of Drought
- Pre-winter bin check
The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator (NEFBA) program is now open!
The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator (NEFBA) Program supports the growth of new entrants by providing financial support for the development and implementation of farm business plans and growth strategies. The NEFBA Program supports business planning and cost-shared purchasing of commercial farm infrastructure and equipment needed to accelerate the revenue growth of farm businesses.
Through the NEFBA Program, a new farm business can receive support to develop a growth strategy and to make investments necessary to achieve farm income growth goals, ensure commercial viability and strengthen financial sustainability.
Applications are open from November 3 to November 24, 2025.
Funded in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative
Impacts of Invasive Plants on B.C. Grasslands-Webinar
Join the Invasive Species Council of BC for an engaging session in the Invasive Species in Agriculture webinar series, presented in partnership with the Investment Agriculture Foundation. This series highlights the latest research, field experiences, and management practices to help producers, land managers, and agricultural professionals prevent and manage invasive plants, insects, and pathogens affecting BC’s agricultural systems.
Although grasslands cover less than 1% of British Columbia they are disproportionately impacted by invasive plants, with very few native grasslands without some infestation. Early efforts to control invasives in BC largely focused on the impacts of invasive plants to forage production on grasslands. As we now know, healthy grasslands are also required for biodiversity, traditional uses, wildlife habitat, water cycling, carbon storage and esthetics.
Date: November 13, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Presenter: Mike Dedels, Grasslands Conservation Council of BC
Producer Emergency Preparedness Sessions
Building Resilient Forage Systems-Webinar
Join the Invasive Species Council of BC for an engaging session in their Invasive Species in Agriculture webinar series, presented in partnership with the Investment Agriculture Foundation. This series highlights the latest research, field experiences, and management practices to help producers, land managers, and agricultural professionals prevent and manage invasive plants, insects, and pathogens affecting BC’s agricultural systems.
In this webinar, Catherine will start by reviewing the foundations of integrated weed management. Then, she will go over Forage 101 principles and how to incorporate the foundations of integrated weed management into your forage management practices creating a resilient forage stand. She will present one Case Study from a northern forage producer and how he greatly reduced his weed abundance using a multivariety alfalfa blend.
Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
Presenter: Dr. Catherine Tarasoff, Agrowest Consulting
BC South Peace River Stockmen's Association AGM
Peace River Forage Association AGM & Livestock Management Workshop
Join fellow livestock farmers, ranchers and industry experts on November 27 at the Peace Community Church, 10556 100st, in Taylor for a free day of learning with discussions on seeding, grazing, business decisions, and more!
Livestock Management Workshops in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John
Join fellow farmers, ranchers and industry experts in Fort St. John or Dawson Creek on November 28 and 29 to discuss seeding and grazing, business decisions, and more! Lunch will be provided.
Alberta Agrisystems Living Lab Fall Webinar Series
The Alberta Agrisystems Living Lab is putting on a series of webinars this Fall, including:
- Nov 12: Integrated Weed Management
- Nov 19: Fighting Drought with Silvopasture Solutions
- Nov 26: Drones on the Ranch
- Dec 2: Plot2Farm: small plot research having a big impact on farm
- Dec 3: Adding Annuals to Grazing Plans
All webinars are at 7:00pm MST on the dates listed.
Learn more or register for a webinar on their website
Why is FireSmart the best defense against wildfires?
FireSmart focuses on changes to the area closest to a structure, and the structure itself, to dramatically reduce the risk of wildfire damage.
Did you know that embers are the leading cause of structure ignition?
FireSmart addresses the root causes of structure ignition, including embers that can travel kilometers ahead of a wildfire.
Watch ‘Farmers talk FireSmart’ or apply now below for a FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Assessment.
Take control and make your property a wildfire-resilient operation to protect your people, animals, and livelihood.
EFP Program Success: Sea Bluff Farm
Robin Tunnicliffe, an organic vegetable farmer and the chair of the Metchosin Agricultural Committee, with her Master of Arts in food policy from the University of Victoria recently completed an Environmental Farm Plan for her farm, Sea Bluff Farm Ltd. Robin expressed reassurance in the sustainability of her farming practices thanks to the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program.
"I really enjoyed the process of doing the environmental farm plan. It was an afternoon of visiting with a retired farmer, and we worked together through the workbook," she said. "I'm confident that anyone can succeed at this."
The ease with which Robin found the EFP process gave her the confidence to apply for the Beneficial Management Practices program (BMP) this January.
The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program is a confidential, no-cost initiative that helps BC farmers and ranchers identify environmental and climate-related risks on their farms. Through the planning process, many participants find practical ways to improve their operations—supporting sustainable practices and helping farms remain efficient and competitive in a changing agricultural landscape.
To learn more or begin your own EFP, visit Environmental Farm Plan Program – Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
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).
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) Stream 1 opening November 18
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) will be accepting funding applications on November 18 under Stream 1 (Producer Projects) and Stream 4 (Strategic Projects).
Stream 1: Producer Projects
Stream 1 provides cost-shared funding support for large-scale water infrastructure projects led by producers with a focus on water storage and conveyance system improvements.
For more information on Stream 1 including a list of eligible activities and eligible applicants, please visit the links below:
Stream 4: Strategic Projects
Stream 4 focuses on supporting strategic and collaborative community projects in areas with high water use conflict, risks to the aquatic ecosystem (e.g., environmental flow needs), existing and potential risks of agricultural water shortage, and/or opportunities to expand water availability through community-led strategic projects.
For more information on Stream 4 including eligible activities, eligible applicants, and priority watersheds being considered for Stream 4, please visit the links below:
Prospective applicants with questions are encouraged to reach out to IAF by email (awp@iafbc.ca) or by phone (250) 940-6150 and (or) book a 10-minute appointment (completed by phone) with an IAF staff member.
The BC Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) is opening soon!
The BC Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) will open for applications on November 17th, 2025. Funding is available under two streams:
- Stream 1: Agri-business skills and leadership development
Funding up to 70% to a maximum contribution of $2,000
- Stream 2: Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery
Funding up to $7,500 for individual business
Program funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants until the application deadline on 4:30 pm on December 08, 2025, or the funding has been fully allocated.
Applications are open from November 17 to December 8, 2025.
BC Producer Survey on New Technologies
We invite you to take part in a short survey for a research project led by Royal Roads University and the University of the Fraser Valley. This survey looks at how fruit and vegetable farmers in BC are using or may be interested in using different types of farming technology. These technologies include digital tools, controlled environment agriculture systems, and agri-genomics. Your responses in this survey will be used to help improve farming policies, tools, and support programs for BC farmers.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your answers will be kept private. Names or any other personal identifiers will not be collected. When reporting on the outcomes of the study, the results will be aggregated and not linked to any individual.
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.
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:
Upcoming application deadlines
November 30:
- Forage application and renewal deadline
- Tree fruit application and renewal deadline
Need Help? Production Insurance Representatives are available to help with the application and renewal process.
- Phone: 1-888-332-3352 toll-free
- ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca
- Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance
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 offers enhanced benefits for 2025:
- 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
December 31:
- 2025 Enrollment fee deadline (with penalty) – last chance to ensure coverage is in place for the 2025 year!
- 2024 Statement A Submission Deadline (with penalty) - the supplemental page must be completed for you to be eligible.
- Individuals: Supplemental page is Page 7 of the Statement A (T1273)
- Corporations: Supplemental page is Page 5 of the Statement A (1373-E) Corporations can easily submit Statement A details using our online form.
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
Livestock Drought Management Series
What if your hay barn could save you thousands every year? Learn how strategic investments in forage and feed infrastructure can pay off for decades in Article 6 of the Livestock Drought Management Series.
Building Reliable Stock Water Systems through Years of Drought
Read this article on the Beef Cattle Research Council website to learn about how a Saskatchewan farm managed to fortify against water scarcity
Pre-winter bin check
As days get colder, this is a good time to check canola bins for spoilage and heating. It is important to monitor bins closely during the first six weeks after harvest and then continue to check stored canola regularly until delivery. This is especially true for canola at higher risk of spoilage.
The ideal situation for safe long-term storage is canola seed moisture of eight per cent or less and temperatures of 15°C or less. If stored canola temperatures plateau or start to rise while outside air cools through the winter, it can signal the start of spoilage. It only takes one small hot spot to start a chain reaction that can spoil a whole bin.
Missed the last e-bulletin? Catch-up on previous issues here.
