Province announces COVID-19 recovery programs to support farmers

The B.C government has announced two new programs, and increased support for a third one, to help improve food security and build a stronger economy following COVID-19.

“During COVID-19, we have seen the incredible importance of having a strong local food economy to put food on the table and keep people working,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “B.C.’s farmers and food producers have stepped up to the challenges of COVID-19, and we are working with them to put us on the path to a strong recovery with investments in new and improved programs that will feed people and strengthen our economy.”

As part of making it easier to get a farm up and running, the new Small Farm Business Acceleration Pilot Program is offering funding up to $800,000 for business plan coaching for small and new farmers, as well as cost-shared funding for commercial farm infrastructure and equipment, to increase productivity and sales.

For this pilot, a small farm is defined as one with a total annual gross revenue of less than $60,000 in the last two years. The program funding will cover 50 per cent to 75 per cent of total approved project costs to a maximum of $17,500 for individual farm businesses.

To help growers increase the acreage planted with raspberry varieties that are ideal for B.C.’s climate and suitable for the fresh and individually quick-frozen raspberry markets, the B.C. government is investing $90,000 in a new Raspberry Replant Program. The program is cost shared with growers, which will result in a minimum of $162,000 of investments in the sector.

“On behalf of B.C. raspberries, I would like to thank Minister Popham and ministry staff for allocating funds toward a raspberry replant program in British Columbia,” said James Bergen, chair, Raspberry Industry Development Council. “It is my hope this program will aid in revitalizing the B.C. raspberry industry.”

Additionally, the province is boosting the Beneficial Management Practices Program, which supports farmers in taking steps to better protect the air, land and water, and aligns with government’s CleanBC climate goals.

The province is investing an additional $800,000 into this program, both this year and next.

To be eligible, farms must have a complete environmental farm plan, and approved projects will address topics identified in these plans.

“We were grateful to see the Province’s Stronger BC plan, which supports farm resiliency while putting food in grocery stores and dinners on tables, “said Stan Vander Waal, president, BC Agriculture Council. “Investment in the agriculture sector right now is critical. Not only is it a core component of the province’s economy, it will play a major role in helping the province weather and recover from the pandemic-induced economic downturn, particularly in rural communities.”

Most B.C. farms, about 98 per cent, are family owned and operated.