Upcoming events
- Monday, October 2, 2023 - 09:00 to Friday, October 13, 2023 - 16:00
Farmers! Got unwanted pesticides or livestock/equine medications?
Safely dispose of unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides and livestock/equine medications –
no charge!
Take them to the following locations on the dates noted between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m
Vancouver Island – October 2 to 4
Fraser Valley – October 10 to 13
See attached poster for dates and locations.
Cleanfarms 2023 Unwanted Pesticides & Old Livestock/Equine Medications Collection
- Saturday, November 4, 2023 - 08:30
The Water Availability Workshop is FREE to anyone who would like to participate in the discussion.
Speakers will focus on future water availability needs and challenges, primarily impacting local agricultural and environmental needs.
Lunch will be provided. Participants are encouraged to sign up via Eventbrite and bring a donation for the food bank.
Saturday, November 4th, 2023
Beasley Community Centre
3450 Woodsdale Road
Lake Country, BC
lcwateravailability.eventbrite.ca
- Sunday, December 31, 2023 - 18:00
Food Processing Skills Canada
is accepting application for the Fall 2023 term of our Student Work Placement Program (deadline Dec 31, 2023).
If you are interested in hiring a domestic, Post-Secondary Student to work in your food and beverage or related business, please apply now for the wage subsidy.
This program will reimburse:
• Up to 70% of wages (capped at $7,000) for underrepresented students (Women in STEM, First Year Students, Indigenous, Visible Minority, Newcomers to Canada within the last 5 years, People with Disabilities)
• Up to 50% of wages (capped at $5,000) if not from underrepresented category
The Eligibility checklist is attached, so you can ensure your applications for this term are for eligible student hires and our Employer Guide, outlining the program’s Net New requirements and all the benefits we offer both students and employers.
Those eligible to apply for the program are as follows:
• Food and Beverage Manufactures (all sub-sectors)
• Retail Grocery Stores
• Industrial Catering/Food Service
• Greenhouses and Farmers
• Cannabis Processors
• Food Related Associations
For more information about this program and to START YOUR FALL 2023 APPLICATIONS go to https://swpp-fpsc.com/
Please note: If you have eligible students that you have not yet submitted your applications for, applications are still open for Summer 2023 (April – August).
An added bonus when apply for SWPP with us is that we have added a suite of e-courses to assist employers and students to prepare for a successful work placement and the start of a rewarding career. This training is available at no cost.
- Employer Curriculum consists of Introduction to Emotional Intelligence, Interpersonal Relationships, Empathy at Work, Building Team Resilience, Build a Respectful Workplace, and Supervise Employee Performance.
-Student Curriculum consists of I AM FOOD – Introduction to the Canadian Food & Beverage Manufacturing Industry, Employer and Employee Expectations, Good Manufacturing Practices – GMP’s, Food Safety Culture & You, Food Spoilage & Food Safety, Sanitation Level 1, Workplace and Industrial Safety, Lock-Out Tag-Out (LOTO), and HACCP Fundamentals.
Employers also receive the student curriculum. These suites of e-courses are completely optional but a wonderful bonus if utilized.
Questions? Contact Cynthia Perry - 902-749-7161 cperry@fpsc-ctac.com
- Monday, January 15, 2024 - 12:30
Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture Program
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
In order to provide producers with more time and flexibility to complete their applications and projects,
the current application intake is extended until all funds for this fiscal year have been committed
(note: this means, unlike last year, a second intake of EWP will not be available for this fiscal year and we encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience to secure funding for your extreme weather project)
Receipt of Applications
Applications will be accepted and processed on a continuous basis until funds run out.
Application Review and Decision
Program applications will be reviewed and processed on a first come, first served basis until all program funds have been committed.
Decision letters are issued between 3-6 weeks after applying for the program, so the sooner you apply for the program, the earlier you will receive a decision letter.
Completion of Projects
All projects must be completed by the deadline outlined on the funding Project Approval Letter.
All invoices and proofs of payment, Project Reimbursement Form, and Project Summary Reports (if required in the Project Approval Letter), must be submitted on or before January 15th, 2024 to be eligible for the program reimbursement.
How to apply:
Please visit the program website to submit your application online.
To apply, review the project stream you are interested in and select the “Apply Now” button or scan QR code of each program stream to access the application.
Accessing the online application form requires a Basic BCeID. If you do not already have a Basic BCeID, you will need to register for one at https://www.bceid.ca/.
What is new this year
BC licensed Apiculture, Aquaculture and Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp Producers will now be able to apply for funding through the program.
New project categories added for 2023 include
Exterior sprinkler protection for critical infrastructure
Flood resilient Apiary Overwintering & Equipment Storage
Improved barn and indoor aquaculture cooling systems
Cooling Systems for Outdoor Aquaculture Operations
A new Innovation Project option is also available this year where applicants can propose new project concepts for consideration.
Note: Funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis for all eligible completed applications. There is no guarantee that you will receive funding after you have completed an application to this Program.
For any questions or application support, please email
Extreme.Weather.Preparedness@gov.bc.ca.
1 888-221-7141
Contact BCGA
Post Office Box 1138,
Penticton, BC, V2A 6J9
EMAIL: contact form
PHONE: 1 877 762 4652