The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program will be opening for eligible farmers in B.C. to apply to develop or update a farm business plan and prepare a growth strategy for their farm operations.

Eligible farmers will also be able to apply for funding to implement their growth strategy, including support for on-farm infrastructure and other investments, in spring 2026.

“New and young farmers are the future of agriculture in Canada,” said Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Investments through the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program are helping early-stage B.C. farmers with planning and pursuing new growth opportunities that will support their long-term success.”

“B.C. farmers play a key role in our regional food systems, and it is crucial that we support the next generation of farmers so they can continue to feed British Columbians,” said Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food. “The program is helping new and young farmers plan and then invest in the tools they need to be successful in their farm businesses, while supporting economic growth and food security in B.C.”

Farmers who participated in the last intake of the program have succeeded in increasing farm income and productivity. For example, Louise Lecouffe and Jed Wiebe of Elderberry Grove Farm in Salmon Arm received support to build a larger on-site facility with better storage and processing space. These improvements make it possible to offer more elderberry products to consumers.

Applications are open Nov. 3-24.

The program is supported by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-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 cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by Provinces and territories.

What to know about New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program

* This is the third round of program funding and will support eligible applicants with $120,000 in Phase 1 and $600,000 in Phase 2 through Sustainable CAP.

* The first intake, the pilot program, supported 64 applicants.

* The second intake supported 75 participants in Phase 1 and 53 participants in Phase 2.

* Other participants used the funding to invest in on-farm infrastructure, such as greenhouses, tractors, irrigation systems, a flash freezer and cold storage, pens for smaller animals, such as chickens and hogs, and a rainwater harvesting system.

* A new entrant farm business is defined as a farm that has not yet reported farm income to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or has reported annual farm income to the CRA for five years or less.

* The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program supports agricultural producers and food-and-beverage processors with agri-business skills, leadership development and specialized planning, such as disaster preparedness and recovery.

The next intake is planned for November 2025. Check the website for updates.

e-KNOW file photos

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