BCAC

With the generous support of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program started accepting applications for the 2012/13 year three months earlier than in previous years. This allowed producers to start work on projects before the busy production season. Increased funding limits for some types of projects also encouraged producers to invest in environmentally beneficial projects.

As a result, funding for this year’s BMP program is currently fully allocated. There are 222 projects still in progress. We estimate that B.C. farmers are investing $1.5M of their own money in addition to the funding provided by Government. Program staff will monitor actual costs and, as projects are completed, surplus funds will be reallocated to additional projects.

In the meantime, producers are encouraged to take advantage of the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program. This free, confidential Plan is available for every B.C. farmer. It provides access to a qualified Planning Advisor (trained consultant) to help identify environmental strengths and potential risks on their farms. Completing an EFP will enhance producer’s environmental stewardship practices and their reputation (and Canada’s) as being environmentally responsible businesses. 

For more information on the EFP Program, please visit the program’s website at www.bcefp.ca, or call the ARDCorp office at (604) 854-4483.