Government fund helps farmers, ranchers in extreme weather

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The provincial and federal governments are providing B.C. farmers and ranchers access to a fund to help in extreme weather conditions.

The Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program supports producers with projects that will help prepare farms for wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat.

Funding opened on Tuesday and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with up to $50,000 available per applicant and project category.

The B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have allocated $2 million through the program.

The fund began in 2022 and supported over 150 projects on B.C. farms.

The funding has been utilized since last to improve barns’ cooling systems, shade protection, FireSmart critical infrastructure assessments and retrofitting farm buildings in preparation for wildfires.

According to the government, the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program is part of B.C.’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy and is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.

The funding comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and CleanBC.

For more information about the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program, visit the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.’s website.