To help combat the effects of climate change on B.C.’s long-term food security, new funding is helping farmers and ranchers protect their operations by adopting regenerative agriculture practices, improving farms’ drought resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

B.C. farmers and ranchers can reduce their risks from extreme weather through a new pilot program that will help improve farms’ climate-change preparedness and resilience to wildfires, flooding and extreme heat.

More tree-fruit growers and their orchards will benefit from time-sensitive advice about pest management as B.C.-adapted software becomes available in the Kootenays, which will help stabilize the sector and strengthen B.C.’s food security.

British Columbians will soon see more local regions highlighted on wine labels with six new areas in the Okanagan Valley being recognized for their grape growing and wine making.  

Two Vancouver-based agritech businesses are paving the way for stronger food security through B.C.’s Agritech Ramp-Up Pilot Program (Ramp-Up) with robotics and technology to support B.C.’s agriculture sector.

Seventeen British Columbians with diverse backgrounds and expertise in food production will help farmers access the latest technology, create more resilient farms and increase sustainability through their roles on the Minister’s Advisory Group on Regenerative Agriculture and Agritech (RAA).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed that small poultry flocks in the Regional District of Peace River, District Municipality of Sechelt and the Town of Summerland have tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.

New funding for the BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program will help improve access to healthy, locally grown food for lower-income British Columbians and people who are pregnant, while increasing the number of Elders and seniors participating in the program.

The wait is over and the smell of grilled beef is in the air as the B.C. government, ranchers and the public celebrate B.C. Beef Day with a barbecue outside the Parliament Buildings.

British Columbians who own or care for livestock are required to register their premises as of July 1, 2022, to support the Province’s emergency response network.