British Columbia Agriculture Grants 2026 — 19 Programs for BC Farms & Agribusiness

SCAP is the umbrella framework for most farm programs in British Columbia. It replaced the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) in 2023. In BC, SCAP programs are delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF), which administers cost-share programs for environmental stewardship, market development, innovation, and food safety. IAF serves all agricultural regions from the Fraser Valley dairy corridor through the Okanagan fruit belt to the Peace River grain operations and Vancouver Island specialty farms.

OFCAF provides the highest cost-share rate of any BC farm program at 85%. It covers three practice categories: nitrogen management (precision fertilizer application, variable rate technology), cover cropping (seed, seeding costs, termination), and rotational grazing (fencing, water systems, pasture renovation). If you’re a Fraser Valley berry grower looking to reduce nitrogen runoff into the Sumas Prairie watershed, OFCAF covers 85% of the transition costs. If you operate a Kamloops-area cattle ranch and want to implement rotational grazing across your rangeland, OFCAF funds the fencing and water infrastructure.

AgriInvest is the most frictionless farm program in Canada. You contribute to a savings account, and the government automatically deposits a matching amount equal to 1% of your allowable net sales. Funds can be withdrawn at any time for any farming purpose — no application, no approval, no reporting. Every BC agricultural operation should be enrolled.

Innovate BC Ignite funds technology-driven companies in BC, and agri-tech is a priority sector. If you’re launching an agri-tech startup in the Okanagan — precision irrigation sensors for orchards, AI-powered crop disease detection for vineyards, or drone-based crop monitoring for Peace River grain operations — Ignite provides up to $300K in non-repayable funding.

The ETG reimburses up to 80% of training costs for BC employees, including farm workers. Agricultural operations can use the ETG for precision agriculture training, equipment operation certification, food safety courses, pesticide application certification, and management skills development.

CleanBC provides rebates for purchasing or leasing electric commercial vehicles, including agricultural utility vehicles, electric tractors, and battery-powered farm equipment. As electric farm equipment becomes available, BC farms can reduce fuel costs while accessing provincial rebates.

The EFP is a voluntary, confidential environmental risk assessment for your farm. While free, its true value is as a gateway: completing an EFP is required before you can access OFCAF funding and most SCAP environmental cost-share programs through IAF.

The Core Stream supports industry associations in developing export market strategies. BC wine, tree fruit, berry, and seafood associations are frequent applicants, building the “BC Brand” internationally.

The SME Stream allows individual farm businesses to apply directly. BC wine producers in the Similkameen and Okanagan, specialty berry exporters from the Fraser Valley, organic vegetable growers in the Gulf Islands, and artisan cheese makers from Vancouver Island can use this for trade missions, buyer visits, and marketing materials.

AgriAssurance helps BC farms adopt food safety systems, traceability, and quality certifications including HACCP, GFSI, and organic certification costs.

AgriDiversity provides enhanced funding (70% vs standard 50%) for underrepresented groups including Indigenous peoples, youth, women, and persons with disabilities. BC’s growing number of Indigenous-led agricultural operations — including First Nations farms in the Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and Interior — are a particular target.

The AgriScience Program funds pre-commercialization science in agriculture. BC institutions like the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland, UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and the Agassiz Research Centre participate in AgriScience clusters.

Canada’s protein supercluster funds projects nationally. BC’s growing plant-based food processing sector in the Lower Mainland can access PIC for ingredient manufacturing, novel food development, and crop breeding partnerships.

Beyond BSP, PacifiCan offers community economic development and innovation programs benefiting agricultural communities, including agricultural tourism infrastructure, rural broadband, and community food processing hubs. Some streams are non-repayable.