B.C. farmers getting $2.5 million in funding support against ‘climate impacts’

B.C. farmers are getting some timely financial support from the provincial government.

According to a release, the $2.5 million in funding via the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program is directed at helping farmers and ranchers strengthen their defences against wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, and “future climate impacts.”

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The program started in 2022 with a $1.4 million dose of funding that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food says helped “129 projects in the poultry, dairy, beef, tree fruit and berry sectors” by supporting barn cooling systems and more.

“Climate change and extreme weather pose an array of challenges for people throughout British Columbia, including our farmers, ranchers, and food producers,” said B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food, Pam Alexis.

“It is important that we support them with programs like this so they can be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and better protect their livelihoods while ensuring we have a stable, sustainable food supply.”

The Ministry says this year’s rendition of the program has expanded to include other sectors in the industry like beekeeping, licensed cannabis and hemp producers, and aquaculture producers.

Farmers, ranchers, and others eligible for the program have from May 23 to June 14 to apply and can get up to $35,000 in funding per project.