The Farmers Information Service (FIS) has opened to help farmers and other landowners in the Peace River Regional District navigate their interactions with the oil and gas industry.

The objective is a positive outcome for all parties involved.

FIS provides information at no charge to help landowners with questions or challenges they experience with oil and gas development, and to help them access opportunities that come from such development. Farmers and landowners can receive assistance with:

• understanding the regulatory aspects of the oil and gas industry;
• their rights as landowners when working with oil and gas companies;
• support to prepare for meetings with energy companies; and
• referrals to professional services when appropriate.

FIS will be led by Maria Reschke. Reschke has worked directly with landowners and rightsholders affected by oil and gas activity in the B.C. northeast for the past seven years. She is well versed with the challenges rural landowners can face when working with the industry.

The FIS office will be housed in Fort St John. It will be available for virtual meetings for residents throughout the Peace region. It can be reached by phone at 250 329-4686 or by email: farmersinformationservice@gmail.com

The office is developing both web resources and plans for in-person meetings that follow COVID-19 protocols to assist land owners in different communities. 

FIS is jointly funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries; the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; the Peace River Regional District; and the BC Oil and Gas Commission. Similar services were provided in the Peace from 2010-19 through the Farmers Advocacy Office.