AGRICULTURE NEWS

More Farmers Get Access to Affordable, Available Farmland

In July, more than 70 farmers from throughout BC found new opportunities in farming communities through the BC Land Matching Program.

Quick Facts:

• 90% of the matches arranged through the program are in regions with high real estate prices, including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan.

• The total number of matches (81) made in BC: o Metro Vancouver/fraser Valley: 26 o Vancouver Island: 24 o Okanagan: 21 o Columbia Basin: 6 o Central and northern BC: 4

• The new businesses are farming a range of agricultural products, including mixed vegetables, sheep, goats, cattle, grain, hay, flowers, berries, eggs, tree fruits, buffalo dairy, honey, medicinal herbs and mushrooms. news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020agri0044-001399

Canada, BC Support Innovation on the Farm

BC companies continue to bring innovation to the farm, using technology to develop new products and processes that will support food production and food security in British Columbia. The governments of Canada and BC are supporting 14 new projects with more than $2.4 million through the CanadaBritish Columbia Agri-innovation Program to help create opportunities in the province’s agricultural and technology industries.

Surrey-based BC Hot House Foods is widely known for its greenhouse-grown cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. With funding of over $380,000, BC Hot House is working to develop a feasible method to cultivate greenhouse strawberries commercially in BC for people to enjoy year-round. The company is working with experts from Europe who have had success in growing soft fruit in protected environments.