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Extreme Weather Preparedness BMPs

Extreme Weather Preparedness BMPs2025-10-27T08:48:40-07:00

The Beneficial Management Practices Program's Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP) category funds projects under four sub-categories: Wildfire Preparedness, Flood Preparedness, Extreme Heat & Cold Preparedness, and Creative Solutions. EWP funds projects such as FireSmart™ BC Farm Building Retrofits (3602), Fill Pad for Farm Buildings (3704.2), Extreme Heat Protection for Outdoor Livestock – Infrastructure (3803.2), and Extreme Cold and unpredictable weather protection for horticultural crops (3805).

The Fall 2025 application intake for Extreme Weather Preparedness will include the EWP sub-category within Plans, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs: FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment (3601) and Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings (3704.1).

To learn more about the BMP program, other BMP categories, program eligibility criteria, and/or notifications & obligations, please visit the BMP page. 

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Area of Interest:

Details

Eligibility

Obligations

Apply

Resources

Category Details

Cost-Shared Ratios:

  • Planning, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs:
    • 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment: 100%
    • 3704.1 – Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings: 80%
  • All other eligible activities within wildfire, flood, and extreme heat & cold preparedness: 40%

Maximum funding amount: 

  • Planning, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs:
    • 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment: $2,000
    • 3704.1 – Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings: $15,000
  • All other eligible activities: up to $50,000, subject to the per-farm annual cap

Applications: Open October 1, 2025. Submissions accepted starting October 8, 2025 at 9am. Sign up for the newsletter to learn when applications will close.

Project Length: 90 days from Project Approval
For the 2025/26 program year, projects in the Extreme Weather Preparedness category (and Extreme Weather activities sub-category within the Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs category) must confirm they can be completed by January 30, 2026 if approved. Projects that cannot be finished by this date may still proceed, but payments will not be issued until April 1, 2026 or later.

See below for activity details – please pay special attention which sub-category the activity you intend to apply for is in, as you will need to select that sub-category when applying on the IAF Client Portal.

Planning, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs: EWP

FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment completed by an approved Local FireSmart™ BC Representative (LFR) or Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS).

Note: The 2025 list of qualified representatives/specialists has been posted. To accommodate the delay in the release of the list, project timelines can be extended by 1-2 weeks; however all projects must still be completed by January 30, 2026.

Cost-share ratio: 100%

Funding amount: Up to $2,000

Connected to:

  • Extreme Weather Preparedness project code 3602 – FireSmart™ BC Farm Building Retrofits
  • Extreme Weather Preparedness project code 3603 – FireSmart™ BC Critical Farm Structures
  • Extreme Weather Preparedness project code 3604 – FireSmart™ BC Addressing Vegetation & Combustible Materials

Additional Resources:

Consultative services for planning, design, and authorizations of fill pad to raise existing farm structures (livestock barns, indoor aquaculture facilities, equipment storage, feed and crop storage, greenhouses) above 200-year flood level.

Cost-share ratio: 80%

Funding amount: Up to $15,000

Plan must include:

  • Declaration of pre-existing farm structure
  • Stamped fill design plans
  • Approval from ALC or confirmation that the project fits the criteria outlined in ALC Information Bulletin 07

Ineligible costs:

  • Any costs or works related to the acquisition or placement of fill
  • Any permit or application fees

Note: New residences in a floodplain (if allowed) are often required by local government building bylaws to be placed on a fill pad. Your local government staff will be able to tell you if they have such requirements in your area, if any permitting is involved, and what qualifications are needed to design/implement fill pads in your area (they may also have a list of contractors that meet those qualifications). Placing fill in the ALR will require either a ‘Notification’ if it meets specified criteria, or an ‘Application’ if it does not meet those criteria (both require extra time to allow the process to be completed). Depending on the location and size of your proposed fill pad, it may also affect the interests/mandates of other government agencies. For these reasons, it is a requirement that any fill projects be planned and designed by a Qualified Person before applying for funding for the on-farm work.

Connected to:

  • Extreme Weather Preparedness project code 3704.2 – Fill Pad for Farm Buildings

Additional Resources:

Wildfire Preparedness Activity Details:

Eligible costs:

  • Roof material and construction:
    • Install class A UL/ASTM fire-rated roof covering (e.g., metal, rated hot lay, clay tile, or asphalt shingles)
    • Remove unrated roof covering (including wood shakes and wood shingle roofs)
  • Roof covering:
    • Ensure there are no gaps or openings that expose combustible building components; or ensure there are no enclosed spaces where embers could accumulate, lodge, or penetrate the Gutter material:
    • If gutters are present, install non-combustible gutters (aluminum, metal, or copper); ensure there is no exposed combustible fascia/roof covering above gutters
    • Remove combustible (plastic, vinyl, wood) and/or exposed combustible fascia/roof covering above gutters
  • Cleanliness of roof and gutters:
    • Remove built-up needles, leaves, or other combustible materials
  • Eaves and vents:
    • Ensure all eaves are blocked or closed (i.e., no gaps, holes, or unprotected areas to the attic or interior of the building)
    • Ensure all vents are ASTM-rated ember-resistant vents OR are covered with 3 mm (1/8”) non-combustible screening. If vents have louvres or flaps, ensure they are operational (self-close when not expelling air)
  • Exterior siding & walls:
    • Upgrade to ignition-resistant (i.e., cement fire board, log) or non-combustible (i.e., stucco, metals, concrete, brick/stone) siding material
    • Ensure there are no gaps or cracks, missing siding, or holes
    • Ensure there is no less than 15 cm of non-combustible vertical ground-to-siding surface. Fire-resistant windows or doors (including large doors/garage doors):
    • Install tempered glass in all windows (including windows in doors)
    • Remove non-tempered glass
    • Ensure there are no gaps in or around any doors
      • Ensure the Immediate and Intermediate Zones are FireSmart™ BC treated – funding available via project code 3604 – Addressing Vegetation & Combustible Materials
    • Balcony, deck, porch, other building extensions, or open foundation:
    • If present (and not open heavy timber, non-combustible or fire-rated construction), ensure the balcony, deck, porch, or other building extension/open foundation is sheathed with fire-resistant/ non-combustible materials, or non-combustible siding, with no gaps or cracks
    • If a balcony, deck, porch, or other building extension or open foundation is present, ensure there is a non-combustible surface and no combustible debris underneath
      • Ensure Immediate, Intermediate, and Extended Zones are FireSmart™ BC treated, and slope setback (if applicable) – funding available via project code 3604 – Addressing Vegetation & Combustible Materials
    • Non-combustible fencing material:
      • Replace wood fences with fire-resistant fencing within the farm home plate or pastures connecting/adjacent to commercial livestock barns

Required documents:

  • Plans, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs prerequisite code 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment

Note: You are only eligible for funding for items that are recommended in your operation’s FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment.

Ineligible costs:

  • Any works that are not directly related to barns, buildings, and structures that are primarily for farm use
  • Residential buildings and structures (e.g., balcony, deck, porch, and other building extensions or open foundations relating to residential buildings)

Additional resources:

Eligible costs:

  • Valve station/substation/propane tanks:
    • Ensure a non-combustible surface is continuous under all combustible infrastructure
  • Utility line poles or critical components (weather stations, antenna masts, cellular towers):
    • Ensure poles/ support structures are constructed of non-combustible material (metal or concrete)
    • Ensure non-combustible or combustible poles or support structures are free of petroleum/ accelerant-based coatings, cracks, and gaps where embers may accumulate, lodge, or penetrate, and non- non-combustible surface is continuous under all combustible infrastructure
  • Critical component:
    • Ensure critical components are not constructed of materials that are susceptible to damage from significant radiant or convective heat fluxes OR if critical components are constructed of materials that are susceptible to damage from significant radiant or convective heat fluxes, ensure the Immediate, Intermediate, and Extended Zones are FireSmart™ BC treated – funding available via project code 3604 – Addressing Vegetation & Combustible Materials
    • Ensure critical components are constructed of materials that are not susceptible to damage from embers; OR if critical components are constructed of materials that are susceptible to damage from embers, ensure they are free of any gaps, holes, or areas where embers could accumulate, lodge, or penetrate

Required documents:

  • Plans, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs prerequisite code 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment

Note: You are only eligible for funding for items that are recommended in your operation’s FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment.

Ineligible costs:

  • Any works that are not directly related to barns, buildings, and structures that are primarily for farm use
  • Residential buildings and structures (e.g., balcony, deck, porch, and other building extensions or open foundations relating to residential buildings) are not eligible

Additional resources:

Eligible costs:

  • Immediate Zone (0-1.5 m from furthest extent of building or critical structure (includes overhangs or extensions))
    • Ensure there is a non-combustible surface, and there are no combustible debris, materials, fences, or plants present; see FireSmart™ BC Landscaping Hub
  • Intermediate Zone (within 1.5-10 m of building or critical structures):
    • Ensure flammable substances, or other combustible materials (i.e., vehicles, flammable liquids/gases, construction materials, debris, etc.) are stored/located more than 10 m from the structure (i.e., a farm building or a critical farm structure), or are stored in approved and ember-resistant storage containers
    • Ensure there are either no trees present or healthy deciduous only (i.e., poplar, aspen, birch); if conifers are present, ensure they are at least 3 meters apart from crown-to-crown, and all branches within 2 metres of the ground are removed
    • Ensure there are no twigs, branches, logs, and accumulations of tree needles or leaves and other combustible materials; no unmaintained grass (greater than 15 cm in length); no flammable plants; no continuous plants or tall growing plants
  • Extended Zone (within 10-30 m of buildings or critical structures):
    • Ensure there are either no trees present or healthy deciduous only (i.e., poplar, aspen, birch); if conifers are present, ensure they are at least 3 meters apart from crown-to-crown, and all branches within 2 metres of the ground are removed
    • Ensure no surface vegetation and combustible materials

Required documents:

  • Plans, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs prerequisite code 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment

Note: You are only eligible for funding for items that are recommended in your operation’s FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment.

Ineligible costs:

  • Any works that are not directly related to barns, buildings, and structures that are primarily for farm use
  • Residential buildings and structures (e.g., balcony, deck, porch, and other building extensions or open foundations relating to residential buildings) are not eligible

Additional resources:

Flood Preparedness Activity Details:

Eligible costs:

  • Increasing the flood resilience of on-farm storage of pesticides, non-fuel petroleum products, sanitation products for livestock and aquaculture operations, packaged fertilizer, paints, and veterinary products
  • Relocate/elevate existing storage rooms above flood level
  • Installation of solid metal shelves to restrict absorption of floodwater and spilled chemicals
  • Secured waterproof containers & flood bags
  • Racking of packaged fertilizer (including bags, pails, mini bulks, and 1000L totes) above flood level
  • Raising of electrical components above 1:200- year flood levels

Required documents:

  • Declaration of pre-existing on-farm product storage

Ineligible costs:

  • Locks, vents, and signage that are legally required and should already be installed
  • Storage facilities for bulk fertilizer products with storage sizes of greater than 1000 kg (granular) or greater than 1000 L (liquid)

Additional Resources:

Eligible costs:

  • Acquisition and placement of fill that meets all applicable standards (i.e., must be acceptable for the specified use in the approved fill plan and free of contamination)
  • Raising of electrical components above 1:200- year flood levels

Required documents:

  • Plans, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs prerequisite code 3704.1 – Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings
  • Any other permits or authorizations as appropriate

Ineligible costs:

  • Projects without design plans and necessary ALC/Local government approval
  • Farm building construction or renovation costs
  • Construction of dikes, berms, or other fill activities not associated with the raising of farm buildings

Additional Resources:

Eligible costs:

  • Reconfiguration of high-value feed storage for intensive confined livestock and aquaculture operations
  • Bin and leg replacement on existing facilities to elevate above flood levels
  • Flood proofing of above-ground feed or commodity storage bunkers
  • Raising of electrical components above 1:200- year flood levels

Required documents:

  • Declaration of pre-existing feeding system

Ineligible costs:

  • Replacement or retrofitting of in-ground or below-ground level silage or hay storage facilities (i.e., sheds/barns/bunkers)

Eligible costs:

  • Reconfiguration of beehive, overwintering & equipment storage for apiary operations to elevate above flood levels
  • Installation of solid metal shelves to restrict the absorption of floodwater
  • Secured waterproof containers & flood bags
  • Raising of electrical components above 1:200- year flood levels

Required documents:

  • Declaration of pre-existing beekeeping system

Ineligible costs:

  • Replacement or retrofitting of in-ground or below-ground level silage or hay storage facilities (i.e., sheds/barns/bunkers)

Extreme Heat and Cold Preparedness Activity Details:

Eligible costs:

Infrastructure improvements to existing intensive livestock structures to improve animal, poultry, or aquaculture cooling, including:

  • Heat pumps and associated ducting or other works. (Includes cooling of air for aeration of recirculating aquaculture tanks and buildings)
  • Input or upgrades of water chillers for aquaculture tanks
  • Improved ventilation, including:
    • Tunnel or cross ventilation fans
    • Baffles, vents, or other air movement controls
    • Evaporative cooling systems (misters or soakers) for cooling animals or indoor air
  • Improved building insulation
  • Enhanced temperature monitoring equipment and/ or control sensors/systems are required for all improvements listed above

Required documents:

  • Declaration of pre-existing livestock or poultry barns or shelters, or aquaculture recirculation tanks and buildings, verification form of design parameters considered by the HVAC vendor/installer
  • For water-related eligible costs – Declaration that there is sufficient allocation from water license(s) (surface and/or groundwater) or water purveyor (e.g., irrigation district, municipality, Province) to complete the proposed project

Ineligible costs:

  • Any cooling systems for new barn or livestock housing construction, unless replacement is because of catastrophic loss from fire or flood

Additional Resources:

Eligible costs:

  • Infrastructure improvements to existing, licensed aquaculture facilities that have a demonstrated need for supplemental cooling during heat domes, including:
    • Overhead canopy or reflective tarps used for shading of existing outdoor aquaculture tanks or pond culture systems.
    • Enhanced environmental monitoring equipment and/or control sensors/systems for existing, licensed marine-based aquaculture facilities that are vulnerable to marine heat waves.
    • Monitoring equipment must only be installed on pre-existing infrastructure that has been authorized in the tenure management plan.
      • Equipment may include water quality sensors such as temperature, pH, turbidity, and may include other parameters associated with marine heat wave events. This equipment is intended to inform management practices to help protect stocks from the negative impacts associated with marine heat waves.

Required documents:

  • Declaration of pre-existing aquaculture infrastructure and susceptibility to, or having experienced impacts from, extreme heat events.
  • A valid aquaculture license
  • If a marine-based facility, an approved tenure management plan

Ineligible costs:

  • Any costs that would be considered a normal, ongoing cost of production.

Eligible costs:

  • Infrastructure improvements to existing fruit, berry, vegetable, and nursery crop production systems, including:
    • Overhead canopy evaporative cooling/sprinkler systems
    • Fogging systems
    • Evaporative cooling systems, such as cooling walls/towers
  • Shade/heat protection for harvested fruit, berry, or vegetable crops:
    • Modifications to farm vehicles (such as flatbed trucks or trailers) to add roof and curtain walls for shading for harvested crops
    • Addition of roll tarp reflective covers to farm trailers/wagons or harvest equipment to shade harvested crops
    • Reflective tarps
    • Small investments for shade/heat protection practices for unharvested crops may also be considered
  • Reusable reflective tarps to cover harvested crop bins, totes, or lugs
    • Must have tiedowns or be designed to wrap around bins, totes or lugs and provide a minimum of 70% reflectivity (e.g., reflective tarps are made of laminated fabric with a woven polyester core, which is double coated with bright white on the outer surface and a silvered Mylar® or similar material on the under surface)

Required documents:

Additional resources:

Eligible costs:

  • Purchase and planting costs new shade trees and tree protection fencing
  • Sturdy fencing to prevent livestock browsing or rubbing on trees.
    • Irrigation systems establishment and maintenance of trees can be included if they are not within an irrigated livestock confinement area

Note: Trees purchased must meet the following:

Ineligible costs:

  • Trees that are less than 1.5” measured at 6” from the root flare
  • Coniferous or invasive species
  • Tree planting that does not directly benefit commercial livestock animal welfare

Eligible costs:

  • Infrastructure improvements to existing outdoor confined livestock areas, including:
    • Installation of outdoor misters or soaker systems designed for livestock cooling
    • Construction or modification of loafing sheds to provide shade (must have the ability to remove walls or structures must be movable to avoid the accumulation of manure)

Required documents:

Ineligible costs:

  • Shelter for non-commercial livestock

Eligible costs:

  • Installation of additional watering infrastructure, including:
    • Supplying cool fresh water at more points, addressing the needs of higher water demand due to heat
    • Increased water access for young stock
    • Systems can include upgrades to supply, treatment, and distribution as well as permanent and mobile waterers

Required documents:

Ineligible costs:

  • New waterers where there was no pre-existing livestock or poultry drinking water supply

Additional resources:

Eligible costs:

  • Protective covers and associated infrastructure
    • For protective covers and wind machines, it is recommended that the applicant obtain drawings and installation plans from an authorized distributor.
  • Energy efficient heaters (e.g., propane or wood pellet)
  • Wind machines
    • Reconditioned/refurbished wind machines are eligible. The same requirements apply to reconditioned/refurbished wind machines as new machines, including a quote for purchase and proof of payment following approval
    • Stationary compression-ignition (SCI) engines manufactured on or after June 4, 2021, and 2015 all mobile compression-ignition engines are required to meet US EPA Tier 4 SCI emission standards in order to be admissible into Canada.
    • It is the responsibility of the person importing the products into Canada to ensure that those products are compliant with any applicable vehicle and engine emission regulations and to demonstrate compliance.
  • Hail netting and associated infrastructure

Ineligible costs:

  • Fuel tanks required for operating wind machines
  • Wind machines are unable to meet the US EPA Tier 4 SCI emission standards

Additional Resources:

Creative Solutions Activity Details:

This category is open to applications that address projects or situations identified under the BMP: Extreme Weather Preparedness stream but are not represented by any existing EWP practice codes.

For example, if your farm or ranch would benefit from a preparedness activity or technology not listed in the current EWP practice codes—and you can demonstrate how it directly supports preparation for or mitigation of the impacts of extreme weather events (e.g., flood, wildfire, extreme heat, or extreme cold)—we encourage you to apply under the Creative Solutions stream.

Applications will be accepted on a proposal-driven basis and will be reviewed by a technical expert and/or staff at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Required documents:

  • Applicable planning, engineering, or technical design must accompany the application.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must:

  • Typically, applicants to the BMP program must have a valid Environmental Farm Plan, but for 2025/26, applicants applying for the Extreme Weather Preparedness category and associated plans and designs are not required to have an EFP.
  • Be a primary production agriculture business whose primary purpose is the production and sale of agricultural products and must be a BC registered business entity (including sole proprietor, partnership, corporations, cooperatives, Indigenous economic development corporations, and band-owned businesses). Applicants to the program must have farm status and, if you raise livestock, a premises ID.
  • Be a taxable entity (e.g., individual, corporation, or trust), limited partnership, commune, cooperative with a GST and business number, or First Nation Band
  • Have their main farmstead in British Columbia and file farm income tax (form T2042 or T1273) under the Income Tax Act in British Columbia*
    • *Licensed Aquaculture producers, and Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp Producers are exempt from having to meet criteria #3. However, Aquaculture operations will have to provide their valid aquaculture license number, while Cannabis or Hemp producers must provide proof of either their standard-cultivators, micro-cultivators, or industrial hemp license as issued by Health Canada under the Cannabis Act or Industrial Hemp Regulations. The personal production of medicinal cannabis is not eligible for this program.
  • Have completed the prerequisite activities required for the activities applied for.
    • Some BMP activities require assessments, plans, or engineered design that must be completed prior.
    • Prerequisites must be completed and submitted before beginning a project.
    • Concurrent planning/design projects and on-farm equipment/infrastructure projects may be allowed in some cases where projects are not dependent on the final plan or design for the equipment/infrastructure activity or may be waived at the discretion of IAF on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Requirements & Notices

  • Projects activities should not commence prior to approval of the application; retroactive costs are not eligible.
  • Beginning in 2025/26, a per-farm lifetime funding cap of $100,000 has been established for the duration of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) period, which runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. This cap applies across all BMP categories unless otherwise specified. Exceptions:
    • For the 2025/26 program year, the BMP: Water Infrastructure category has a higher per-farm cap of $200,000.
    • For the 2025/26 program year, the BMP: Extreme Weather Preparedness category has a separate annual per-farm cap of $50,000
  • Applicants can only apply for each BMP activity (i.e., Practice Code) once per fiscal year. Example: Applicants may not apply to install a new irrigation system (Practice Code 1804) twice in one year.
  • Stacking of funds from other government programs is permitted so long as the funding received from all government sources does not exceed 100% of project costs.

Ineligible Activities and Expenses

Unless specified in a BMP Practice Code, the following costs are ineligible:

  • GST
  • Fertilizer, seed, and crop protection products
  • Fees for permits, approvals, or legal activities
  • Typical farm equipment and related accessories or attachments (including tractors, skid steers and trailers)
  • Costs of ongoing activities
  • Maintenance or repair costs
  • Financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees
  • Maintenance or extended warranties on equipment, electronics, or technology purchases
  • New building construction, including sheds, barns, or storages (for products or by-products)
  • Expenses incurred before approval or expenses after the project completion date unless consent is received from the program.
  • Monthly or annual subscription fees (e.g., satellite, cellular or internet uplinks for data transmission) or monthly or annual rental fees for equipment (e.g., orchard heaters)
  • Costs associated with removing and disposing of old equipment (e.g. renting a crane to remove a decommissioned wind machine)

Program policy sets a percentage maximum amount of government funds which can be used towards the total project costs. For the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this has been set at 100% of the total eligible costs of the BMP Project.

The Program shall have the authority to deny an application if there is evidence of misrepresentation of pertinent information.

Applying to the Program

Accessing the IAF Client Portal

REMINDER: Do not wait to start this process – it can take up to two business days to validate your organization!

To apply to the program, you must first create an IAF Client Portal account and register your organization by navigating to the IAF Client Portal and selecting “Create an account now.” Once you confirm you are a BC-based business/farm/individual, you will then need to complete two sections:

This is the information needed for your account:

  • Name
  • Job Title
  • Phone Number
  • Email

This is the information needed for your organization to be validated in the IAF Client Portal:

  • Legal Organization Name (either Federal or BC)
  • Operating Name (if different from legal)
  • Organization Type (select from set options)
  • Organization Address, Email, Phone number and website
  • Organization Registration Date (either Federal or BC)
  • Head Office Location
  • BC Registration ID (to look up your BC ID click here)
  • CRA Business Number
  • NAICS Code 6-digit (select from set options – click here for guide)
  • Primary Purpose of Operation (select from set options)
  • Sector Group (select from set options)
  • Region (select from set options)
  • Brief Business Profile

IAF Client Portal emails are sent from do-not-reply.grants@fluxx.io, please save this as a contact in your email.

It can take up to two business days to validate your organization. If you haven’t received an email in 3 – 5 business days check your spam folder, then contact IAF.

Starting your Application

Applicants are invited to start (i.e. draft, edit & view) their application prior to the submission window opening. Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.

To find the application navigate to the ‘Funding Opportunities’ tab in the IAF Client Portal and select the appropriate program. When filling out your application you will complete six sections:

This section is where you will provide program-relevant organization information that were not collected when you registered your organization with IAF. For BMP this includes:

  • Organization Name (select the organization applying for funding)
  • Primary and Secondary Contact Information
  • Business Type
  • Farm Status
  • Premises ID (if applicable)
  • Opportunity to confirm the following is accurate:
    • CRA Business Number
    • Organization Type
    • Sector Group
    • Primary Purpose
    • Organization Registration Date

As this program is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, you are required to provide additional demographic information. The demographic information is collected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and must be done before submitting your application. To provide your demographic information:

  • Start drafting your application in the IAF Client Portal.
  • Copy your application ID (it will be provided to you at the Demographic data section of the application or see the top of your application form). You will need to put this ID into the Ministry’s form.
  • Visit the Ministry’s webpage through the link on the application and complete the form. (Note: this will open a new browser tab).
  • Once the form is complete, copy the Ministry’s confirmation number and enter it in the application form. It should look something like this AB123456

Note: Demographic information will not be used to assess eligibility for the program.

This section will require:

  • Your EFP Workbook Number (unless applying to the Extreme Weather Preparedness category or the Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs Extreme Weather Preparedness sub-category)
  • Your Planning Advisor’s Name
  • Name on EFP Statement of Completion

Please note: An Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is not required for Extreme Weather Preparedness projects; however, certain prerequisites apply for some categories within the program.

After, you will be asked for a project summary that will require information such as your farm breakdown by hectares, a brief overview of the environmental issues this project will address, a description of your project, steps to complete your project, a list of materials and equipment needed, contractors you plan on using, and start & end dates of your project.

Break down your project costs into the applicable project codes. If your proposed project has multiple components that would fit under two or more practice codes, please include a budget summary in your project documents that specifies what quoted costs reflect your selected project codes.

This section is where you will review and sign the terms and conditions for applying to an IAF Program.

The following documents should be submitted with your application.

Mandatory

  • Property Assessment Notice (current year)
  • Legal Lease Agreement/ Proof of Ownership
  • Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Statement of Completion
    • Reminder: An EFP is not required for Extreme Weather Preparedness projects
  • Quotes for the work to be completed

If Applicable

  • Supporting Lease Documentation
  • Proof of water licence for proposed use
  • Water licence for proposed storage volume
  • Water Management Plan and/or Irrigation system assessment and/or technical design
  • Assessment/approval/authorization from the Dam Safety Program staff
  • Change approval to make changes in and about a stream
  • Easement
  • Maps/Sketch/Photos

IAF recommends clicking ‘Save’ frequently as you work on your application in case of an unexpected disconnection. Once you are finished editing, click ‘Save and Close’ to minimize the editing panel and take you back to looking over your application.

Submit an application: Click ‘Save and Close’ when you are finished editing your application. Then click ‘Submit’. The ‘Submit’ button will only appear from the date and time of Submission Open to Application Close.

New This Year! Book a Call

Starting on October 1, you can book a 10-minute phone consultation with an IAF staff member to discuss your BMP application.

Prior to booking an appointment, you must start your draft application and provide the ID number (BMP-202425-0####). This gives you and the IAF staff member a specific application to reference and provide support for during the 10-minute phone call.

Applicants are limited to one phone call appointment.

Review and Adjudication

Applications will be accepted on set open and close dates or until funding is fully committed. Upon submission of an application, all BMP applications will be reviewed under the first-come, first-served model for 2025/26 intakes. Project applications are screened and reviewed by IAF. This review involves:

  • Ensuring application completeness.
  • Organization/Applicant eligibility check.
  • Project alignment and eligibility check.

IAF staff will return incomplete applications to applicants via the IAF Client Portal for resubmission with missing information/clarifications requested.

Need help with IAF’s Client Portal?

We’ve created a number of tutorials and FAQs about the IAF Client Portal to help guide you in creating an account, registering your organization, starting your application, and more!

Want to speak to someone regarding your application?

Email us with your application questions or call us at 250.940.6150 to speak to a member of the IAF Team.

Notifications & Obligations

Review and Adjudication

Applications will be accepted on set open and close dates or until funding is fully committed. Upon submission of an application, all BMP applications will be reviewed under the first-come, first-served model for 2025/26 intakes. Project applications are screened and reviewed by IAF. This review involves:

  • Ensuring application completeness.
  • Organization/Applicant eligibility check.
  • Project alignment and eligibility check.

IAF staff will return incomplete applications to applicants via the IAF Client Portal for resubmission with missing information/clarifications requested.

Funding Notifications & Contracts

IAF will contact the applicant with the details of a funding decision and any associated terms and conditions by email via the IAF Client Portal.

Funding decisions for complete applications will be communicated to applicants within 8 weeks of a complete application submission. If funding is fully committed, applications may be placed on a waitlist pending additional funding becoming available.

Funding is application and project-specific. It must be used for the approved project and related expenses, and it is non-transferable.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must complete a final report before receiving funds from the program. This report must be filled out and submitted via the IAF Client Portal, with all invoices to be considered for funding reimbursement. It is important that the final report is submitted on time and with all required information. Expenses will be reimbursed based on the submitted receipts, the approved project budget, and the corresponding cost-share ratio. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.

 

Funding Acknowledgements

This program is funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. As such, acknowledgement of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgement, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Materials can be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.

Changes to Contracted Projects

If you are not able to complete your project or require a change, please inform the IAF Team as soon as possible using the IAF Client Portal.

Project Profiles & Successes

Legacy Farms Ltd

June 18, 2025|

Farmers and ranchers are being supported with a new round of funding to help strengthen their resilience to wildfires, flooding and extreme heat, and mitigate future climate impacts. In the summer [...]

Wollen Sons Ranch Ltd

June 18, 2025|

Farmers and ranchers are being supported with a new round of funding to help strengthen their resilience to wildfires, flooding and extreme heat, and mitigate future climate impacts. Wollen Sons Ranch [...]

Apply to the BMP Extreme Weather Preparedness category

BMP: EWP Category

Applications Open: October 1, 2025 | Submissions Accepted: October 8, 2025 | Applications Close: October 9, 2025 at 4 PM PST

BMP: Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs EWP sub-category

Applications Open: October 1, 2025 | Submissions Accepted: October 8, 2025 | Applications Close: Ongoing until funding is fully committed

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Resources

FAQ

Yes. Licensed Aquaculture producers are able to apply to this program and

  • must provide their valid aquaculture license number
  • are exempt from having their main farmstead in BC/income tax filing in BC

Yes, Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp Producers are able to apply to this program and

  • must provide proof of either their standard-cultivators, micro- cultivators, or industrial hemp license as issued by Health Canada under the Cannabis Act or Industrial Hemp Regulations
  • are exempt from having their main farmstead in BC/income tax filing in BC

The personal production of medicinal cannabis is not eligible for this program. 

No, an EFP is nor required for the 2025/26 BMP Extreme Weather Preparedness category or the BMP Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs Extreme Weather Preparedness sub-category. Other BMP categories still require a valid EFP.

No, only extreme weather preparedness costs related to wildfire, flood or extreme heat and cold preparedness are eligible for EWP funding. Preparation for any other extreme weather conditions (e.g. drought, hail, wind) would not be eligible through this program.

For financial assistance for drought preparedness and agricultural water infrastructure, see the Beneficial Management Practices Program.

Yes, applicants to this program must have Farm Status.

No, a FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment is a prerequisite for the following activities, meaning that it must be completed prior to the application for the activities below:

  • 3602 – FireSmart™ BC Farm Building Retrofits
  • 3603 – FireSmart™ BC Critical Farm Structures
  • 3604 – FireSmart™ BC Addressing Vegetation & Combustible Materials

No, provided the last time you completed the form was in the same fiscal year, you can input the confirmation number provided by the Ministry into another application form. If you last completed the form a year or more ago, please complete a new Demographic Data Collection Survey through the application.

The FireSmart™ BC Farm and Ranch Assessment is a process that is intended for assessing vulnerabilities of barns, buildings, and structures that are primarily for farm use.

There is no difference, one is just an updated name. The FireSmart™ BC Farm and Ranch Assessment (formerly known as FireSmart Farm and Ranch Critical Infrastructure Assessment) is a process that is intended for assessing vulnerabilities of barns, buildings, and structures that are primarily for farm use.

Applications open October 1, 2025, with submissions starting October 8, 2025, at 9 AM PST. The program will close when funding is fully committed.

Cost-Shared Ratios:

  • Planning, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs:
    • 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment: 100%
    • 3704.1 – Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings: 80%
  • All other EWP activities: 40%

Maximum funding amount: 

  • Planning, Technical Assessments, and Engineered Designs:
    • 3601 – FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment: $2,000
    • 3704.1 – Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings: $15,000
  • All other EWP activities: up to $50,000, subject to the per-farm annual cap

Projects must be completed within 90 days of approval. For the 2025/26 program year, projects in the Extreme Weather Preparedness category (and Extreme Weather activities sub-category within the Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs category) must confirm they can be completed by January 30, 2026 if approved. Projects that cannot be finished by this date may still proceed, but payments will not be issued until April 1, 2026 or later.

Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP) is now a member of the BMP family! On top of this, a new sub-category of Extreme Heat and Cold has been added, expanding on the previous Extreme Heat activities.

Yes, if the on-farm project is not dependent on the final plan or design then you would be able to have a concurrent application.

Yes, but total government funding cannot exceed 100% of eligible project costs.

Yes, 10-minute consultation calls are available after applications open on October 1, 2025, before booking an appointment, you must start your draft application and provide the ID number (BMP-202425-0####). This gives you and the IAF staff member a specific application to reference and provide support for during the 10-minute phone call. Applicants are limited to one phone call appointment.

The 2025 list of qualified representatives/specialists has been released. If a producer proceeds without confirmation that their contractor is on the finalized list, they do so at their own risk and may not be eligible for reimbursement under the program. To accommodate the delay in the release of the list, project timelines can be extended by 1-2 weeks; however all projects must still be completed by January 30, 2026.

Beneficial Management Practices Program Guide

Download the Beneficial Management Practices Program Guide.

Extreme Weather Preparedness Appendix

Download the Beneficial Management Practices Program Extreme Weather Preparedness Appendix.

Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs Appendix

Download the Beneficial Management Practices Program Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs Appendix.

List of FireSmart™ Approved Local FireSmart™ BC Representatives (LFR) or Wildfire Mitigation Specialists (WMS)

Visit FireSmart™ BC to find a verified assessor for your FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment

Need a Contractor?

IAF has assembled a list of verified contractors that are able to help execute your plan/design.

Land Owner Statement

Download the Land Owner Statement for the Beneficial Management Practices Program.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Water Licenses and Approvals Guide

Visit the Ministry’s website for their water license and approval guide.

Funding Acknowledgement Requirements

Download the Funding Acknowledgement Requirements for the Beneficial Management Practices Program.

Have an Active Project?

Please visit the program’s Project Resource Hub for more information.

Have a Question?

Contact the IAF Team

The Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) is honoured to reside and operate across traditional and unceded Indigenous territories throughout British Columbia.

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