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Extreme Weather Preparedness BMPs

Extreme Weather Preparedness BMPs2026-01-30T11:59:33-08:00

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).

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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Category Details

Sub-Categories Cost-Share Ratio Maximum Funding Project Length
Extreme Heat and Cold Preparedness 40% Up to $50,000 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first.
Flood Preparedness 40% Up to $50,000 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first.
Wildfire Preparedness 40% Up to $50,000 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first.
Creative Solutions 40% Up to $50,000 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first.
Extreme Weather: Plans & Assessments 80-100% Varies by plan (see below) 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first.

Applications open: February 11, 2026
Submissions open: March 4, 2026, at 9 am
Applications close: Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed

For some activities, a plan, technical assessment or engineered design is required. You can independently attain the required plan/assessment/design or check for funding opportunities via BMP: Planning, Technical Assessments and Engineered Designs (P&D) category. The prerequisite must be completed prior to applying for the activity below. To learn more about the requirements for professionals to complete a plan/assessment/design and/or to find a qualified professional, visit our Qualified Professionals page.

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.

Wildfire Preparedness Activity Details:

The Wildfire Preparedness Stream is offered in partnership with BC Wildfire Service and FireSmart™ BC. Applicants who have completed a FireSmart™ BC Farm and Ranch Assessment within the last 5 years will be eligible to apply for select on-farm Projects to address recommendations from the assessment. Approved applicants will receive 40% cost-share reimbursements for select on-farm Projects up to a maximum of $50,000.

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:

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:

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:

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:

With a large portion of BC’s highest-capability agricultural land located in floodplains, much of the province’s most productive agricultural land is increasingly vulnerable to extreme flooding. The Flood Preparedness Stream provides cost-share payments to increase on-farm flood resiliency. Approved applicants will receive 40% cost-share reimbursements for select on-farm projects up to a maximum of $50,000.

Flood-Related Project Prioritization (Sumas Prairie)
For the 2026/27 intake, applications addressing flood-related risks within the Sumas Prairie area may be prioritized within the Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP) category, subject to available funding. This prioritization is intended to support projects that mitigate ongoing flood impacts and enhance regional resilience. All applications must continue to meet program eligibility requirements and will be assessed in accordance with the program’s adjudication criteria (on a first-come, first-serve basis).

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:

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:

Livestock, horticulture, and seafood farming operations are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and cold events. The Extreme Heat and Cold Preparedness Stream targets farmers who are most at risk of extreme heat and cold events and aims to support infrastructure and equipment upgrades that will reduce on-farm vulnerabilities. Approved applicants will receive 40% cost-share reimbursements for select on-farm projects up to a maximum of $50,000.

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:

  • Declaration of area under horticulture crop production
  • 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

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:

  • Declaration of existing commercial livestock normally held outdoors in a confined area
  • 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:

  • 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:

  • Declaration of existing livestock or poultry watering systems
  • 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:

  • 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:

If your agriculture or aquaculture operation would benefit from a different preparedness activity or technology, not listed above, and can demonstrate how it addresses a need directly related to the preparation/mitigation of the impacts of extreme weather events (flood, wildfire, extreme heat, and cold). We encourage you to apply to the creative environmental solutions stream of funding. Approved applicants may receive 40% cost-share reimbursements for select on-farm projects up to a maximum of $50,000.

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.

Extreme Weather: Plans and Designs

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

Cost-share ratio: 100%

Funding amount: Up to $2,000

Completed by: All qualified professionals must have completed the FireSmart BC Farm & Ranch Training Course (developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food) and hold a valid certificate of completion. They must also be included on the 2026 List of Verified/Approved EWP Farm & Ranch FireSmart Assessors prior to conducting any assessments.

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:

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

Typically, applicants to the BMP program must have a valid Environmental Farm Plan, but for 2026/27, applicants applying for the Extreme Weather Preparedness category and associated plans and designs are not required to have an EFP.

Applicants must have:

  1. Farm Status. 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).
  2. Premises ID, if livestock is raised.
  3. GST and CRA business number. Participants must be a taxable entity (e.g., individual, corporation, or trust), limited partnership, commune, cooperative with GST & business number, or First Nation Band.
  4. Main farmstead located in BC and file farm income tax (form T2042 or T1273) under the Income Tax Act in BC.
    • Licensed Aquaculture producers, vertical farm producers, and Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp producers are exempt from meeting farm tax income requirements, however:
      • Aquaculture operations will have to provide their valid aquaculture license number.
      • Vertical farm producers must provide documentation demonstrating their farm businesses have achieved the minimum Farm Class Status Equivalent annual gross revenues for the sale of ‘agricultural products’ in the year prior to their application.
      • Cannabis or Hemp producers must provide proof of either their standard-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.
  1. Complete the prerequisite activity(s), if required.
    • Some BMP activities require assessments, plans, or engineered designs that must be completed prior. Proof of completion must be submitted at the time of application.
      • 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.

Important Details

  • Project activities should not commence prior to approval of the application; retroactive costs are not eligible.
  • A per-farm lifetime funding cap of $100,000 has been established for the duration of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) period, which runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. This cap applies across all BMP categories unless otherwise specified.
  • A portion of BMP Program funding is provided by CleanBC and is reserved for select activities that demonstrate a significant and measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or an increase in carbon sequestration. These eligible activities (or practice codes) are marked with a If funding is limited, projects eligible for CleanBC funding may be prioritized over projects that are not.
  • 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 funds from other government programs is permitted so long as the funding received from all government sources does not exceed 100% of project costs.
  • IAF has the authority to deny an application if there is evidence of misrepresentation of pertinent information.
  • The program policy sets a percentage maximum amount of government funds that can be used towards the total project costs. For the Sustainable CAP, this has been set at 100% of the total eligible costs of the BMP Project.
  • In-Kind costs are eligible in specific circumstances.

Ineligible Activities and Expenses

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

  • GST
  • Fertilizer, seed, and crop protection products
  • Fees are 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 storage (for products or by-products), unless specified under a BMP activity.
  • 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)
  • In-kind costs for the Planning, Technical Assessments and Engineered Designs category or the Extreme Weather Preparedness category.

How to Apply

Accessing the IAF Client Portal

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 Set up your Account and Register your Organization.

If you have applied to IAF-delivered program in the last few years you can skip this step!

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:

  • 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)
  • Brief Business Profile
  • Business & Signatory authentication (if applicable) – submit one of the following:
    • Preferred: BC Business Summary (Notice of Articles) listing you as an owner or director (e.g. Sample corporate summary)
    • Articles of Incorporation listing you as an owner or director
    • Shareholder summary listing you as an owner or director

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.

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!

Starting your BMP Application

You can start (i.e., draft, edit & view) your application prior to submitting (see the Application Dates above). IAF encourages applicants to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.

To find the application, navigate to the ‘Opportunities’ tab in IAF Client Portal and select the appropriate program. A BMP application generally consists of:

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

  • Select the Organization Name applying for the funding (relevant if you have more than one farm)
  • Primary and Secondary Contact Information
  • Business Type
  • Farm Status
  • Premises ID (if applicable)
  • 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 into the application form. It should look something like this AB 123456

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

  • Project summary:
    • Farm breakdown by hectares
    • Brief overview of the environmental issues this project will address
    • Description of your project, steps to complete your project
    • List of materials and equipment needed
    • Contractors you plan on using
    • Start & end dates of your project – this is especially important if your project is only viable between certain dates because of weather or farm operations. IAF staff are happy to accommodate start and end dates provided they fit within the program constraints.

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

Review and sign the terms and conditions for applying to an IAF-delivered 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 license for proposed use
    • Water license for the proposed storage volume
    • Plan, 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
Helpful Hints 

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.

Book a Call

Starting on the February 11, 2026, you can book a 10-minute phone consultation with an IAF staff member to discuss your BMP Extreme Weather Preparedness 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.

Notifications & Obligations

Upon submission, all BMP applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis (unless prioritized activities are present, see below). Applications are screened and reviewed by IAF. This review and adjudication 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.

Water Infrastructure Prioritization

For 2026/27 select BMP activities are prioritized for funding within the Water Infrastructure category. On the first-come, first-served basis, IAF will review and adjudicate eligible applications for the prioritized activities prior to reviewing and adjudicating the remaining activities. Pending available funding, IAF will adjudicate the remaining activities first-come, first-served.

For a list of prioritized activities, see BMP Activities above, or the Appendix for the Water Infrastructure category.

CleanBC Funding Prioritization

A portion of BMP Program funding is provided by CleanBC and is reserved for BMP activities that demonstrate a significant and measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or an increase in carbon sequestration (marked with a 🌱 symbol). For 2026/27 if funding is limited (i.e. only CleanBC funding remains), projects eligible for CleanBC funding may be prioritized over projects that are not.

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 an applicant 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.

Successful applicants must complete a project report prior to 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 the final report is submitted on time and with all required information. Expenses will be reimbursed based on submitted receipts, the approved project budget and the corresponding cost-share ratio. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.

Reminder: Retroactive costs are not eligible with the BMP program. Receipts or invoices dated prior to project approval will be declined.

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.

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 Extreme Weather Preparedness

Application Open: February 11, 2026
Submission Open: March 4, 2026, at 9 am
Application Close: Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed

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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 2026/27 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 or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first.

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 February 11, 2026, 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

Please note: the Government of BC may, from time to time, give instructions to IAF in relation to the delivery and administration of this program. IAF must and will comply with those instructions.

Funding for these programs have been provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Additional funding has been provided by CleanBC. The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF).

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

© Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. All rights reserved.

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