Farmers beginning operations in British Columbia are getting help to plan and grow their agricultural businesses so they can succeed and offer B.C. families fresh and local food.

“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.”

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

“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.”

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.

Farmers that participated in the last intake of the program have succeeded in increasing farm income and productivity. For example, Mikayla MacLeod of Charnwood Flowers in Chilliwack received support to purchase a large cold-frame greenhouse so she could extend the growing season. This new addition on the flower farm helped the business increase sales by having more flowers to sell throughout the year.

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.

In Duncan, Cowichan Station Creamery received funding to purchase hay feeders that reduce the hay waste lost from their current dairy-cow feeding system. This has helped the owners, Henry Rekers and Renee Davy, increase efficiency by making it easier and quicker to feed their dairy cows and improve labour productivity.

Applications are open Nov. 3-24, 2025.

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.

Quotes:

Mikayla MacLeod, co-owner, Charnwood Flowers –

“We were able to use the funding from this program to build a cold-frame greenhouse, which has been instrumental in expanding our business and growing season. We are very grateful that this program is available to new farmers to help with the costs of adding necessary infrastructure.”

Louise Lecouffe, owner, Elderberry Grove Farm –

“We’re so grateful for the support we received. It feels amazing to have a space that works perfectly for elderberry. Having the right facility makes our work easier and helps us share even more of this wonderful berry.”

Henry Rekers, owner, Cowichan Station Creamery –

“We are very grateful for how the program helped streamline our operation. Not only did we exceed our goal of reduction of feed waste, the addition of our new feeders allowed us to switch to 100% machine handling of our feed. This is huge labour savings.”

Learn More:

For more information about New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program, visit:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/new-entrant-farm-business-accelerator-program

To learn more about Canada and B.C. supporting new and young farmers, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/29756

For more information about the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agri-business-planning-program

A backgrounder follows.