BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative

posted Sep 5, 2019 | closing Oct 1, 2019 view as single page

Request for Proposals: Fraser Valley Agricultural Water Supply Assessment

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Proposals are being sought for a contractor to work with local producers, regional governments and industry groups to assess the future of the agricultural water supply in the Fraser Valley.

The successful proponent will be required to review existing information and consult with local partners to evaluate the current state of knowledge, identify particular threats or issues of concerns, and evaluate – using the Agricultural Water Demand Model – the impact of climate change on future agricultural water supply.

This project includes:

• identifying agriculturally relevant gaps and issues of concern in current water supply knowledge base
• summarizing recent water supply and quality challenges facing agricultural producers
• analyzing climate change impacts and water supply/demand projections
• identifying key hot spots (geographic areas or specific supply resources) that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts
• identifying potential solutions and opportunities to address water supply vulnerabilities and challenges

The project fulfills a priority action of the Fraser Valley Adaptation Strategies and will enhance the ability of producers in the Fraser Valley to adapt to the impacts of climate change. All work will be overseen by a committee that includes representatives from BC Dairy Association, BC Blueberry Council, BC Poultry Association, the BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative, local governments and the BC Ministry of Agriculture.

The successful contractor will have a minimum of three years direct experience conducting similar projects, including background scans, research and consultation, data compilation, agricultural water supply, hydrological mapping (GIS), irrigation, crop water demands and report writing.

View the PDF: Request for Proposals – Fraser Valley Agricultural Water Supply Assessment (closes October 1, 2019)

posted Aug 11, 2019 view as single page

News Release: New Plan Outlines Climate Adaptation Strategies for Bulkley-Nechako & Fraser-Fort George Producers

Farmers in the Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser-Fort George regions will have more support to adapt to climate change, following the development of the Bulkley-Nechako & Fraser-Fort George Regional Adaptation Strategies plan (9 MB PDF).

The provincial and federal governments are providing $300,000 in funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support projects identified in the plan as priority actions for increasing the resilience of producers in the region.

Funded projects would help farmers respond to four priority impact areas affecting the region: increasing wildfire risk, increasing variability and shifting crop variability, warmer and drier summer conditions, and changing pest dynamics.

“It’s great that government is supporting farmers and ranchers in the Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser-Fort George regional districts in dealing with challenges due to climate change, because it is our new reality,” says Megan D’Arcy, a local farmer and member of the advisory committee for the Bulkley-Nechako & Fraser-Fort George Regional Adaptation Strategies.

“Information exchange, increased collaboration and the development of new systems and best management practices will be key to ensuring that the agriculture sector in these two regions remains resilient.”

Priority Project Implementation

The Bulkley-Nechako & Fraser-Fort George Regional Adaptation Strategies planning process, managed by CAI, began in summer 2018 and brought together farmers from both regions to work with local governments and provincial and federal agencies to identify priorities for agricultural adaptation as well as strategies and actions for strengthening resilience.

A 14-member working group with representatives from the agricultural sector and regional and provincial governments will oversee development of priority projects, and CAI will manage project implementation. Up to six projects will be completed in the region by 2023.

The Bulkley-Nechako & Fraser-Fort George Regional Adaptation Strategies plan is the eighth regional plan developed across the province as part of the Regional Adaptation Program delivered by CAI.

Quick Facts:

• The total farmland in the Bulkley-Nechako region, the Stikine region and the Fraser-Fort George region was over 330,000 hectares in 2016.
• The regions employed over 2,600 people in the agricultural sector (both farm operators and employees) in 2016.
• Agriculture in the regions is predominantly focused on poultry, cattle, hay and field crops.
• Other notable crops include: greenhouse flowers and greenhouse vegetables (in the Bulkley-Nechako region).

Contacts:

• Samantha Charlton, Project Manager (Regional Adaptation Program), BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative, 778-676-7657
• Robert Boelens, Communications Manager, Ministry of Agriculture, 250-356-1674

Read the Ministry of Agriculture news release in the BC Government newsroom.

The BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative (CAI) develops tools and resources that increase the capacity of agriculture to adapt to climate change. Guided by industry, CAI brings together producers, government and researchers to develop a strategic, proactive and pan-agricultural approach to climate adaptation.

posted Jul 4, 2019 view as single page

News Release: Adaptation Strategies Increase Resiliency of Kootenay & Boundary Producers

A new plan outlines climate adaptation strategies and actions for strengthening the resilience of agriculture in the Kootenay & Boundary region.

“We all now realize that climate change is a reality,” says Faye Street, who represented the Kootenay Livestock Association on the advisory committee for the Kootenay & Boundary Regional Adaptation Strategies.

“It is important for agriculture to get a head start on dealing with the negative consequences that climate change will bring. Lack of water and the extreme fire situation are some of my biggest worries.”

Regional impacts of climate change

download the full report

The Kootenay & Boundary Regional Adaptation Strategies (8 MB PDF) development process brought together producers, local governments and provincial and federal agencies to identify the highest priorities for agricultural adaptation in the region.

In addition to wildfire risk and lack of water, producers also identified changing insect and pest pressure, increasing seasonal flood risk and increasingly unpredictable variable weather conditions as key challenges facing the local agriculture sector.

The planning process, managed by CAI, resulted in strategies and actions for strengthening resilience in response to the identified climate impacts.

Funding for priority projects

The provincial and federal governments are providing $300,000 in funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support projects identified as priority actions.

A working group with 14 member representatives from the agricultural sector and regional and provincial governments will oversee development of these projects, and CAI will manage project implementation. An estimated 4-6 projects will be completed in the region by 2022.

The Kootenay & Boundary Regional Adaptation Strategies plan is the seventh regional plan developed as part of the Regional Adaptation Program delivered by CAI.

Quick Facts:

• The total farmland in the Kootenay & Boundary regions in 2016 was over 127,000 hectares.
• The region employed over 3,700 people in the agricultural sector (both farm operators and employees) in 2016.
• Agriculture in the region is predominantly focused on cattle and hay.
• Other notable sectors include: field vegetables, tree fruits and dairy (in Central Kootenay), mixed livestock (sheep, alpacas, pork and poultry) and Christmas trees (in East Kootenay).

Contacts:

• Rachel Penner, Communications, BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative, 778-679-8040
• Blake Bilmer, Junior Public Affairs Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, 250-880-0439

Read the Ministry of Agriculture news release in the BC Government news room.

The BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative (CAI) develops tools and resources that increase the capacity of agriculture to adapt to climate change. Guided by industry, CAI brings together producers, government and researchers to develop a strategic, proactive and pan-agricultural approach to climate adaptation.