Kootenay Boundary Edition Regional Newsletter
August | Drought and Wildfire: Upcoming Events: Programs and Services: - The Ministry of Agriculture and Food programs and services
Business Risk Management Programs: Resources and Services: | Taking action to reduce water use in the driest part of the season | Agricultural producers in many regions of the province are being asked to reduce their water use by their water supplier, their local government, or the Province. Water users are all drawing from the same limited water supplies at this time of year and water managers are increasingly concerned about low streamflows and reservoir levels having negative or even irreversible environmental impacts. Your efforts to conserve water can play a critical role in preventing conditions from worsening. Producers are encouraged to: | Drought support for livestock and forage producers | It has been a challenging year for many forage and livestock producers across the province; here are some resources available to support. Drought resources are listed on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Drought in Agriculture page. Resources organized by subject (forage production, livestock management, soil, water storage, etc.). BC Cattlemen Association is administering two supports for all livestock producers funded by the Ministry including: | Wildfires are affecting many parts of B.C. As of August 3, 2026, the BC Wildfire Dashboard is reporting: - Conditions are forecasted to be hot, dry, and windy this week, increasing the potential for fire activity.
- 120 active wildfires in BC.
- Response resources include 1250 personnel, 128 aviation, 157 heavy equipment, and 409 structure protection.
Stay informed - Sign up for local emergency notifications: Check the website of your Regional District, Municipality, or Indigenous Governing Body to sign up for alerts, such as evacuation alerts and orders.
- If you anticipate your commercial agriculture operation will be affected by wildfire: contact your local authority early. These proactive conversations help identify your needs and support coordination with response agencies if/when conditions change.
- Use the BC Wildfire Service Map: Online or download the app on Apple or Android
- Follow EmergencyInfoBC: Find current and verfied updates, safety instructions, and links to offcial sources during emergencies in B.C.:
Get prepared Plan and prepare with a Wildfire Plan: Protect livestock: Prepare for wildfire smoke: Reduce wildfire risk to farm buildings: - Wildfires can leave little time to react. Small actions ahead of time can substantially reduce the risk of structures being damaged from wildfires.
- Focus on applying field-proven FireSmart principles to the structure itself and the area within 30 metres of each structure.
- Simple FireSmart actions include:
- Removing dry leaves, needles, and debris from around buildings
- Moving wood piles, equipment, and fuel away from buildings
- Avoiding storing flammable materials against walls or under decks
Learn more about protecting farm and ranch buildings with FireSmart principles. | Supporting farmers’ mental health | Farm Credit Canada and the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing recently announced a renewed partnership to sustain and expand the National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line, 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701). The renewed investment of $1.8 million over three years ($600,000 annually) will allow the program to continue providing tailored, no-cost mental health and crisis support to Canada's farmers, farm families, and agricultural workers. Since launching in February 2025, the National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line has connected agricultural workers across Canada with licensed mental health professionals trained through the Canadian Agricultural Literacy Program, specialists who understand the unique pressures of farming life. The renewal ensures that this vital service continues uninterrupted. Learn more | Webinar: Indigenous Agriculture Development Network (IADN) | When: August 25, 2026, 10:00 AM -12:00 PM (PT) Where: Online (Zoom) Register | | Why attend? - Learn from Indigenous-led ranch management and regenerative agriculture experts at Xatsull Mountain House Ranch and TRU.
- Explore practical ranching best practices through interactive peer-to-peer learning.
- Connect with Nations, ranchers, and entrepreneurs interested in starting or expanding ranching operations.
| Farm tour and breakfast potluck at BirdTree Urban Farm | When: August 30, 2026, 9:00 –11:00 AM (PT) Where: Sinixt, Secwépemc, Ktunaxa and Syilx Territories, Revelstoke, B.C. Register | | You’re invited to a Farm Tour and Breakfast Potluck at BirdTree Urban Farm! Why attend? - Tour BirdTree Urban Farm and learn how Kristina turned a home garden into a successful urban farming business.
- Gain insights into small-scale market gardening, land sharing, and farming across multiple sites.
- Ask questions, connect with local growers, and enjoy a light breakfast.
Funding is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, with additional support from Columbia Basin Trust, Bullitt Foundation, Cowichan Valley Regional District, and the Real Estate Foundation of BC. | When: October 6, 2026 Where: UBC's Sage Restaurant in Vancouver Apply here | | Join this in-person event at UBC's Sage Restaurant in Vancouver. Why B.C. food and beverage brands should apply to attend: - Learn how to sell to public institutions and access the growing institutional food market.
- Receive training, coaching, and market insights from industry experts.
- Connect directly with buyers, distributors, and food service providers to pitch your products.
| Beneficial Management Practices Program – Extreme Weather: Plans & Assessments | Application deadline: August 31, 2026 - FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment (Practice Code 3601)
- Required to apply for future Wildfire Preparedness BMPs (3602-3604).
- Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings (Practice Code 3704.1)
- Required to apply for the future Fill Pad for Farm Buildings BMP (3704.2).
- Apply now to get ahead of future intakes.
Need Help?
- Book a 10-minute phone consultation about your application with IAF.
- Before booking, start your draft application and have your application ID ready (e.g., BMP-202425-0####).
The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF). Funding is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Additional funding has been provided by Clean B.C. Learn more | 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. | Important 2025 Deadline Reminder and 2026 Late Participation Opportunity Farming comes with many uncertainties. While you can't predict extreme weather, rising costs, or market fluctuations, AgriStability can help protect your farm operation from severe income declines and provide greater financial stability when challenges arise. Important: 2025 Statement A Filing Deadline The final deadline to submit your 2025 Statement A with penalty is September 30, 2026 (previously December 31, 2026). Learn How to file your Statement A. To make filing easier, the AgriStability Forms and Prices page now includes online forms for submitting information. If you need assistance with your Statement A or have questions about the program, our staff are available to help. Agristability 2026: Late Participation Available If you are not currently enrolled in AgriStability for the 2026 program year, you can still join through the Late Participation option until November 30, 2026. AgriStability provides financial support when a farm's profit margin declines by more than 30% and may help protect your operation during difficult production or market conditions. Eligible participants may also qualify for Advance Interim Payments of up to 75% of their estimated final benefit. Need Help? For enrollment, claims filing support, or more information, call: 1-877-343-2767 or e-mail: AgriStability@gov.bc.ca Learn more | Production Insurance helps producers manage their risk of crop losses caused by hail, spring frost, excessive rain, drought, flooding and other extreme weather events. Check out our updated Production Insurance website to learn about the products available for Berries, Flower bulbs, Forage, Grain, Grapes, Tree Fruit, and Vegetables. Please note that October 31 is the application and payment deadline for the following policies: Grapes, Flower bulbs and Berries (including strawberry plants). If you have Production Insurance, file a Notice of Loss as soon as crop damage is suspected. Once your claim is submitted, an insurance adjuster will inspect the crop and assess any losses. Learn how to file a claim. Need Help? Production Insurance Representatives are available to help with claims, application and renewal process. If you need assistance, please contact us at 1-888-332-3352 or ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca Learn more | Agriculture ministers advance a shared vision for the Next Policy Framework | Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture recently concluded their annual conference in Halifax. As the five-year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) comes to an end in 2028, Ministers issued the “Halifax Statement”, which outlines the shared vision, principles and key priorities that will guide the development of the Next Policy Framework (2028-2033). The Halifax Statement recognizes the importance of FPT governments working together to support economic growth and competitiveness while maintaining the various business models that help create a vital agriculture and agri-food sector. Learn more | Access Canadian Food Inspection Agency business enablement support | If you are interested in trading food in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) business enablement team can: - Walk you through the CFIA’s Safe Food for Canadians licence application process and the process for setup of CFIA accounts (MyCFIA, accounts payable, etc.)
- Work directly with you as you complete your preventive control plan.
- Be your point of contact for any questions related to federal licensing and interprovincial trade.
If you have questions about our services or for more information, email: CFIA.internaltrade-commerceinterieur.ACIA@inspection.gc.ca Learn more | Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) | The Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) is an online survey designed for the collection and reporting of weather and climate impacts on-farm operations across Canada. It is a tool to help connect Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) with people in Canada's agricultural community. AAFC relies on its network of AIR volunteers to provide information regarding agroclimate impacts on farm operations across the country. The AIR network provides valuable and reliable data that are mapped and used in the assessment and development of policies and programs including AgriRecovery and the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, which can provide assistance to the industry during extreme weather and climate conditions and events. Learn more | New tools for navigating watercourse regulations in agriculture | Two new resources are now available to help B.C. farmers and landowners navigate watercourse stewardship and restoration projects. These practical guides provide clear, agriculture-focused information on regulatory requirements, permitting pathways, and responsibilities related to work in and around streams and watercourses, helping reduce uncertainty and support more effective project planning. Legislative Guide to Watercourses on Agricultural Lands - Clear overview of legislation, roles, and responsibilities associated with agricultural watercourses
- Agriculture-specific context and definitions
Changes In and About a Stream (CIAS) Guide for Agricultural Users - Step-by-step guidance on permitting pathways under the Water Sustainability Act
- Supports stronger, more efficient CIAS applications
Learn more | New World Screwworm information and resources | As of July 22, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reporting 32 active cases of New World Screwworm, 4 of those cattle in Texas. Stay up to date with the latest information: | Organic Innovation Video Series: Low Input Farming at Helmer's Organic Farm | Low inputs, extensive cover cropping and long rotations—these are all key to building soil health and fertility. In this episode of Organic BC’s Organic Innovation series, visit Helmer’s Organic Farm in Pemberton, where Anna and Doug Helmer share details of their farming practices and how they provide their crops with most of what they need with little to no external fertilizers. Then, take a deeper dive with Teresa Porter, Master of Soil Science and Articling Agrologist, as she shares her expert knowledge about what might be happening in the soil as a result of these practices. This episode was produced with the support of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Watch the video | Preparing for new worker standards: engagement summary | Last summer, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food partnered with the Ministries of Health and Citizen's Services to deliver a survey and engagement to assess the current state of on-farm worker housing in relation to new standards set by Employment and Social Development Canada. A finalized public report has now been published and is available by clicking the button below. If you have any questions or comments, please submit them to Andrea.Palmer@gov.bc.ca Read the report | Missed the last e-bulletin? Catch up on previous issue here. | Contact your local Regional Agrologist Jeff Nimmo
Email: Jeffrey.Nimmo@gov.bc.ca
Lindsay Hainstock
Email: Lindsay.Hainstock@gov.bc.ca AgriService BC connects farmers, food processors and new entrants to agricultural services, programs and information that can help them succeed. | | | | | |
.png?1775852616602)
.png?1785957148916)
.jpg?1783463917614)
