British Columbia farmers get help building more resilient, sustainable practices

Farmers and ranchers are receiving additional assistance to prepare for, adapt to and lessen the impacts of climate change so they can better protect their farms and livestock and continue growing food for people in British Columbia.

The Regional Extension Program is supporting 16 regional projects through a second round of funding with $1.5 million from the governments of Canada and British Columbia. Farmers can improve things like soil health, water supply and management, greenhouse gas emissions and the impact from drought and wildfire. The regional projects will take place in communities throughout the province in the coming year.

Several projects from the first round of funding focused on helping regions prepare for and adapt to drought. One project focused on providing drought workshops for farmers with livestock in regions most adversely impacted by drought, so farmers are now better prepared to implement new strategies and best management practices that will help them adapt to climate change. 

Another project focusing on drought preparation was launched in the Koksilah River watershed on Vancouver Island. Funding was used to support producers with an irrigation-scheduling project to help them be better prepared for drought conditions.

Farmers and ranchers throughout British Columbia were also able to attend field days and workshops for water management and training so they can be better prepared for prolonged dry periods.

Program funding is from the Province’s CleanBC initiative and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). Sustainable CAP is a 5-year (2023-28), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.