Home »
New program for ag industry to prepare for extreme weather
B.C. farmers and ranchers can help reduce their risks from extreme weather through a new pilot program that is aiming to improve climate-change preparedness and resilience to wildfires, flooding and extreme heat for them.
The Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program will support as much as $1.5 million in projects this year to help famers conduct risk assessments and make infrastructure upgrades on their farms.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen the extreme impacts of climate-related weather events on our farming communities, and we are taking action to support farmers and ranchers with climate-change adaptation tools and projects,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “Agriculture and being able to feed British Columbians is intricately tied to climate change, and by taking increased steps to focus on how we can best prepare for and mitigate future climate impacts, we will be able to better protect the livelihoods of our food producers while strengthening our food security and food economy.”
“Agricultural producers in British Columbia know how important it is to act now so we are better prepared for extreme weather and climate change,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “B.C. is recognized globally for the high-quality food we produce. By working together to reduce these risks, we’re building a more resilient agricultural sector to maintain and enhance that success.”
Examples of projects eligible for funding include:
* FireSmart Critical Infrastructure assessments;
* farm building retrofits for wildfire preparedness;
* improved on-farm fuel storage and well protection for flood preparedness;
* reconfiguration of high-value feed storage for flood preparedness;
* farm building retrofits to improve cooling during extreme heat;
* enhanced watering and shade to mitigate crop and livestock heat stress; and
* infrastructure improvements to support tree and berry canopy cooling as well as shade and heat protection for harvested fruit, berry or vegetable crops.
“It goes without saying that we have experienced some extreme weather in the past, and we will continue to see it in the future,” said Kevin Boon, general manager, BC Cattlemen’s Association. “The best opportunity we have is to be prepared. An investment in preparedness and sound planning on the landscape is crucial to be able to continue to produce high-quality, affordable food for British Columbia’s consumers and steward the land responsibly while we do so.”
The program is open to farm and ranch businesses throughout B.C., with applications initially being accepted from July 25 to Aug. 15.
It is anticipated that the program will continue in 2023 and 2024, with the potential for adjustments based on experiences in the pilot year. Funding for the 2022 pilot intake will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible agriculture businesses.
Eligible applicants can access as much as $35,000 each in cost-shared funding for the first intake of the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program.
The Wildfire Preparedness Stream will be offered in partnership with B.C. Wildfire Service and FireSmart B.C.
To find out more about the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture funding opportunities, visit the B.C. government website.
e-KNOW file photo
e-KNOW
