More than 70 farmers from throughout British Columbia have found new opportunities in farming communities through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP).

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for farmers this year, farm-sales numbers from 2019 show that there is a solid foundation in place to build a path to economic recovery.

Farmers on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands will have more support to adapt to climate change following the development of the Vancouver Island Adaptation Strategies plan.

Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, has appointed Rayna Gunvaldsen as British Columbia’s new chief veterinarian.

More opportunities are coming for B.C.’s Indigenous entrepreneurs interested in developing food and agriculture businesses and supporting local food security in their communities.

Updates to Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Act regulations will make it more affordable for multi-generational farmers on the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to apply to build housing that meets their needs.

More locally raised meat will be available for restaurants and retail outlets following provincial government efforts to establish a more resilient B.C. food system.

To help more lower-income British Columbians, people expecting children and seniors gain access to healthy, locally grown food, the Province has provided approximately $1.88 million in funding to the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

Due to high demand from B.C. farmers and food companies, additional funding has been added to support more of the Buy BC e-commerce applications that were received after the initial funding was committed.

In recognition of the significant role the province’s honey bees and native pollinators play in B.C.’s agricultural industry and the lives of British Columbians, May 29 is proclaimed Day of the Honey Bee.