Programs

AGRI-ECOSYSTEM STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE

The Agri-Ecosystem Stewardship Initiative (AESI) works with farmers to enhance natural values on their land through a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model.

AGRICULTURAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

 Through the program, primary and Indigenous Producers, conservation groups, water purveyors and Indigenous Communities will have access to cost-shared funding to adapt to climate change by investing in water infrastructure.

AGRICULTURE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

This program aims to increase adoption of efficient irrigation infrastructure and improved agricultural water supply and management in British Columbia.

BC CLIMATE AGRI-SOLUTIONS FUND

The BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund help farmers tackle climate change by adopting beneficial managing practices (BMPs).

BC LIVING LAB / AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

In collaboration with our sector stakeholders, IAF is receiving funding from the federal government to establish a Living Lab in British Columbia.

BEE BC

This program supports small scale regional/community-based projects to research, explore, field-test and share information about best management practices associated with bee health in British Columbia.

BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The BMP program is a complementary, on-farm cost-shared incentive program to assist farm and ranch operations to mitigate some of the risks identified in the farm-specific Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs).

ENHANCED REPLANT PROGRAM

The Enhanced Replant Program provides support to help wine grape, berry, and tree fruit producers replace existing acreage with climate-resilient varieties that produce in-demand, premium fruit.

ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN

The Environmental Farm Plan and Beneficial Management Practices Programs enhance the capacity of producers to maintain competitiveness by adapting and responding to ever-changing environmental conditions.

EXTREME WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

The Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture Program is a program which BC-based farm and ranch businesses can apply for cost-shared funding that aims to increase farm-level climate resistance to extreme weather events.

FARMED ANIMAL DISEASE

The Farmed Animal Disease Program provides funding to the BC livestock and poultry industry to invest in planning, preparedness, prevention, and mitigation for farmed animal diseases.

FOOD PROCESSING GROWTH

The Food Processing Growth Fund supports projects in BC’s diverse value-added food processing sector to scale up operations to increase productivity, business opportunities and competitiveness.

FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM

The Food Safety Program (FSP) seeks to increase adoption of new or improving existing food safety practices and systems by BC on-farm businesses and BC post-farm to enable the BC agrifood sector to meet existing and new national and international food safety regulatory requirements.

FOOD SECURITY EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS FUND

This program allows agricultural producers, industry associations and local authorities to develop emergency plans and preparedness strategies with a unique focus on food security and agricultural resiliency.

FOOD STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND RETAIL

The Food Storage, Distribution and Retail Program (FSDR) supports food systems partnerships in BC to advance practices, processes, infrastructure, and collaborations that will strengthen and streamline food system logistics, storage, and transportation and address supply chain bottlenecks.

FRASER VALLEY FLOOD MITIGATION

Working with Indigenous and local communities, the program will provide funding to agricultural producers at high-risk of flooding for solution-focused flood mitigation projects including riparian and ecosystems/habitat restoration.

HUMAN RESOURCES FOR AGRICULTURE EMPLOYERS

Equipping agriculture employers in BC with the knowledge to create the right HR policies for their business.

INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS & AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIP

The Indigenous Food Systems & Agriculture Partnership Program (IFSAP) supports First Nations and Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations within the agriculture and food sector.

INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS & AGRICULTURE SKILLS & TRAINING

The Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Skills and Training Program (ISAT) supports Indigenous Nations, communities, businesses, and organizations in increasing Indigenous participation in agriculture, seafood, food processing and related community economic development initiatives.

LIVESTOCK WASTE TISSUE

This program is now available to help BC-based abattoirs and meat processors directly improve the accessibility and affordability of animal tissue waste disposal.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

The Mental Health Wrap Around Supports Program is funding the expansion of AgSafe’s mental wellness in agriculture initiative that encourages producers to reach out for help and offers mental wellness resources for the agricultural community.

PERENNIAL CROP RENEWAL

The Perennial Crop Renewal Program supports producers to remove unproductive, diseased, or unmarketable cultivars and to adopt growing systems that are better suited to environmental conditions and market demands.

POULTRY BIOSECURITY

This program was created to help the BC industry develop enhanced on-farm biosecurity programs and an emergency response program that can be immediately activated to prevent a detected outbreak from spreading.

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND INNOVATIVE SKILLS

The Recruitment, Retention and Innovative Skills Program (RRIST) supports industry to adopt, implement and scale innovative tools, processes, practices or resources to raise awareness of, attract, retain, and develop the domestic workforce in agriculture and food.

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION OF VETERINARIANS

The Regional Recruitment and Retention of Veterinary Service Delivery for Food Animals (VET) Program supports organizations and veterinary practices to increase the availability of veterinary services for food-producing animals in underserviced communities and regions.

SCALING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RIPARIAN RESTORATION

The Scaling the Implementation of Riparian Restoration (SIRR) works with farmers to enhance natural values on their land through a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model.

SMALL FOOD PROCESSOR SCALE-UP

The Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program (SFPS) supports projects in BC’s diverse value-added food processing sector to scale up operations to increase productivity, business opportunities, and competitiveness.

SUMMER STUDENT FARM WORKER BURSARY

Are you a secondary or post-secondary student interested in or planning to work in BC’s agriculture sector this summer? You could receive a $3,000 bursary!

TRACEABILITY ADOPTION PROGRAM

The Traceability Adoption Program (TAP) seeks to build public confidence in foods and beverages that are processed or handled for consumption and trade by BC businesses along the agrifood value chain.

TREE FRUIT CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

British Columbia Tree Fruit Climate Change Response Fund is a 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. IAF is supporting the administration of this fund, visit the Ministry’s website for more information.

TREE FRUIT STABILIZATION

The Tree Fruit Industry Stabilization Plan funds initiatives with sound business rationale and whole sector benefits based on recommendations of the Tree Fruit Industry Stabilization Plan.

WORKFORCE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING

The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) supports industry and labour market partners in the development of market intelligence, domestic workforce strategies and implementation plans to better respond to the growing labour challenges in BC’s agriculture and food industry.