British Columbia’s agriculture industry is on a path toward greater environmental stewardship, and Foxburrow Farm stands as a shining example of how Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs) are making a big-picture impact across the province.
Nestled in the Okanagan, Foxburrow Farm is a family-operated orchard specializing in apples, vegetables, poultry, and cider production. Like many BC farms, Foxburrow recognized their need to safeguard their land for future generations while maintaining a thriving, productive operation. That’s where the Environmental Farm Plan program came in.
Working with their EFP Advisor, Foxburrow Farm undertook a comprehensive assessment of their operations: identifying climate and environmental risks specific to fruit and poultry farming. With guidance from their EFP workbook, the farm adopted targeted strategies to reduce water consumption, enhance soil health, and protect nearby waterways. These included improvements to waste management, better materials storage, and the adoption of beneficial management practices (BMPs) that support both productivity and sustainability.
Reflecting on their EFP journey, Peter & Virginia Palma of Foxburrow Farm shared, “We were very fortunate to be able to enrol in the EFP, allowing for a review of our …farm in Lake Country. The program accelerated our knowledge and planning as new farmers and orchardists in the area. Since then, we have been able to implement many of the recommendations made to improve our farm and the environmental issues on our land. The EFP program is very beneficial for new farmers and the land.”
Foxburrow Farm shows that when BC farmers embrace innovation and environmental responsibility, the entire province reaps the rewards.
Funding for the Environmental Farm Plan program has been provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. The program is delivered by IAF.
