The Beneficial Management Practices Program is an on-farm cost-share incentive program to assist farm and ranch operations in mitigating some of the risks identified in their associated Environmental Farm Plan or through on-farm extreme weather events.
Background
The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program works to help producers contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment with projects that improve waste management, air quality control, emissions control, soil and riparian integrity, and environmental impacts.
Program Objective & Goal
The BMP Program is an on-farm cost-share incentive program to assist farm and ranch operations in mitigating some of the risks identified in their associated Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) or through on-farm extreme weather events. The BMP Program aims to increase the adoption of technology and practices to mitigate high-risk activities or emerging challenges by promoting agricultural sustainability, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation practices that contribute to a cleaner, healthier environmental and resilient farm systems.
Through targeted investments, the BMP program supports producers in BC by helping them reduce costs, improve operational efficiency and enhance long-term farm and ranch viability. By integrating proactive environmental management with productivity gains, the program strengthens competitiveness, ensures infrastructure durability, and supports sustainable agricultural growth under changing climate conditions.
Program Structure
The BMP Program offers funding to farmers and ranchers completing three types of projects. Within these project types, BMP is split into 15 categories. Each category has its own application form, unless noted. If you’d like to participate in more than one category, an application must be completed for the relevant category.
1. Planning, Technical Assessments or Engineered Designs (P&D)
These projects plan, assess or design the on-farm adoption of beneficial management practices or technologies.
a. Basic Plans
b. Complex Plans¹
c. Complex Designs¹
d. Biogas Feasibility Studies¹
e. Extreme Weather Plans and Assessments¹Complex Plans, Complex Designs and Biogas Feasibility Studies are applied for in a single application.
- 2. Environment
On-farm equipment/infrastructure projects facilitate the sustained adoption (ongoing implementation) of a beneficial management practice or technology aimed at improving environmental conditions.
a. Biodiversity
b. Energy & Fuel Efficiency
c. Nutrient & Waste Management
d. Riparian & Grazing
e. Soil Carbon
f. Water Infrastructure 3. Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP)
On-farm equipment/infrastructure projects facilitate the sustained adoption (ongoing implementation) of practice or technology aimed at preparing farms for extreme weather conditions.
a. Extreme Heat and Cold Preparedness
b. Flood Preparedness
c. Wildfire Preparedness
d. Creative Solutions
Ultimately, the ongoing implementation of the practice or technology will improve one or more outcomes related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, environmental performance and/or extreme weather preparedness – while improving operational efficiency, reducing costs and strengthening the long-term resilience and competitiveness of farm operations.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must have:
- A valid Environmental Farm Plan (EFP).
- If you’re applying for the Extreme Weather Preparedness category and associated plans and designs, an EFP is not required.
- EFPs are valid if they are less than 5 years old and reflect the current farm or ranch operation.
- Please renew your EFP if it is more than 5 years old, or if there have been changes made to the farm/ranch that could have impact on environmental risk.
- 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).
- Premises ID, if livestock is raised.
- 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.
- 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.
- Licensed Aquaculture producers, vertical farm producers, and Federally licensed Cannabis or Hemp producers are exempt from meeting farm tax income requirements, however:
- 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.
- 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.
Application Information
Important Program Dates
Applications are accepted through the IAF Client Portal. You are invited to start (i.e., draft, edit, and view) an application before the submission window opens. Application submissions will open at 9:00 am PST and be accepted until funding is fully subscribed. Applications are reviewed and adjudicated using a first-come, first-served approach, unless otherwise outlined.
| BMP CATEGORY | APPLICATIONS OPEN | SUBMISSIONS OPEN | APPLICATIONS CLOSE |
| Extreme Weather: Plans & Assessments | October 1, 2025 | Open now | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Biodiversity | February 11, 2026 | March 4, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Energy & Fuel Efficiency | February 11, 2026 | March 4, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Extreme Weather Preparedness | February 11, 2026 | March 4, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Nutrient & Waste Management | February 18, 2026 | March 11, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Soil Carbon | February 18, 2026 | March 11, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Riparian & Grazing | February 25, 2026 | March 18, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Water Infrastructure | February 25, 2026 | March 18, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
| Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs (P&D) (Basic, Complex, and Biogas) | February 25, 2026 | March 18, 2026, at 9 am | Ongoing until funding is fully subscribed |
IAF expects funding to be subscribed quickly, many of the categories within the BMP program are extremely competitive. We will share closing dates on the BMP webpage and via the BMP Newsletter. IAF will do our best to give as much notice as possible about application closures, but for some categories it could happen within days of submissions opening. We strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the applications opening early to draft and review your application so it’s ready to submit as soon as possible.
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 🌱symbol. 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 are eligible in specific circumstances, see Policy Statements & Conditions.
Questions? Reach out to IAF!
Get in contact with the IAF Team! Email bmp@iafbc.ca or call 250.940.6150 during business hours.
Need more help, or have a detailed question? Starting on the Application Open date for each category, you can book a 10-minute phone consultation with an IAF staff member to discuss your BMP application. Prior to booking an appointment, please start your draft application and provide the ID number (similar to: 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.
BMP Funding & Project Length
In addition to the lifetime farm cap of $100,000 (from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028), each category (and/or activity) has a maximum funding limit and project length. For detailed information about the eligible expenses within each activity, please see the webpage for each BMP category.
P&D Activities
Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs
| Category | Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Plans | 100% | Varies by plan | 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
| Complex Plans | 80% | Up to $10,000 | 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
| Complex Designs | 80% | Up to $20,000 | 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
| Biogas Feasibility Studies | 80% | 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 | 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Planning, Technical Assessments or Engineered Designs category funds basic plans such as irrigation system assessments or design (2901) and water management plans (2902), as well as complex plans like engineering or technical design or assessments – water/riparian (1102).
Environment Activities
Biodiversity
| Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | Up to $25,000 | 140 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Biodiversity project category funds projects such as the establishment of shelterbelts or tree buffers (1901) or the creation of pollinator habitats (2207).
Energy & Fuel Efficiency
| Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|
| 30% (unless specified) | Up to $50,000 | 140 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Energy & Fuel Efficiency project category funds projects like the replacement of fossil fuel driven equipment or motors with electrical equipment or motors (3302.1) or the replacement of fossil fuel driven engines with electric battery pack (3302.4).
Nutrient & Waste Management
| Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | Up to $50,000 (except 0201) | 140 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Nutrient & Waste Management project category funds projects such as the composting of agricultural waste (0803) and the improvement of liquid manure storage – dairy only (0100).
Riparian & Grazing
| Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|
| 60% | Up to $70,000 | 140 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Riparian & Grazing project category funds projects such as fencing to manage and improve riparian condition and function (1003) and alternative watering systems to manage livestock (1001).
Soil Carbon
| Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | Up to $35,000 | 140 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Soil Carbon project category funds projects like transitioning to conservation/no-till tillage (3306.2) or preventing soil compaction (0012.0).
Water Infrastructure
| Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | Up to $70,000 | 140 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Water Infrastructure project category funds projects like irrigation systems – new and existing (1804), water meters, backflow prevention devices, or other flow-measuring devices (1808), and improved irrigation system management and irrigation scheduling (1802).
EWP Activities
Extreme Weather Preparedness
| Cost-Share Ratio | Maximum Funding | Project Length |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | Up to $50,000 | 90 days from Project Approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. |
The Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP) project category funds projects under 4 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).
Ineligible Activities & 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
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.
As the Water Infrastructure category of BMP has prioritized activities for 2026/27. If you plan to apply to more than one activity within a this category and they are not all equally prioritized, please submit two applications (see prioritization information above). Example: Water Infrastructure Application 1 – code 0903 and 0905; Water Infrastructure Application 2 – code 1804. This two-application process is required because an application must be approved in its whole, not just a portion. If you do not complete separate applications IAF staff may need to remove the non-prioritized activities in order to proceed to approval, and you will have to reapply for other activities – losing your placement in the first-come, first-served queue.
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.
- Provide your EFP Workbook Number*
- Your EFP Advisor’s Name
- Farm Name on the EFP Statement of Completion
- This should be the same as your legal operation name, if not, please upload supporting documentation such as a certificate of incorporation, or a name change certificate, or download and complete a copy of our landowner statement.
- 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.
*An EFP is not required for Extreme Weather Preparedness category applications.
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 Application Open date for each category, 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.
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.
Policy Statements & Conditions
The following BMP policies, statements, and conditions for the program are subject to revision during the life of a Sustainable CAP Agreement, which began on April 1, 2023.
Additional requirements for applications include:
- Cost estimates or quotes
- A current BC property assessment notice
- A valid EFP statement of completion is required for all categories, excluding the Extreme Weather Preparedness category
- Management plans or designs as required
- Legible sketches or drawings with labels indicating the layout and details of projects are required for all projects related to planting of vegetation, fence or livestock watering installations, irrigation system installation, and any construction projects (e.g., buildings or other structures).
Where neighbouring producers in an area work together to resolve a defined environmental issue, participants may be eligible for an alternate funding arrangement. This excludes projects in the Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs and Emergency Weather Preparedness categories.
Individual projects: These projects are implemented as a collaborative effort by two or more producers working together to resolve a defined environmental issue.
- If approved, projects would be funded based on Project Code criteria plus an incentive premium equivalent to a 10% lift in the individual practice code cost share up to the Practice Code Cap.
- Applications must identify the environmental issue and the neighbouring operations working to resolve it. They must be received within the same program year.
Pooled Projects: Where the project occurs at an individual location but is shared by two or more producers.
Pooled Project Guidelines:
- All applicants must have a current Statement of Completion
- Applicants or agents must consult IAF Program staff
- Applicants and Program staff must agree that a pooled project may be the most appropriate and cost-effective approach to developing the BMP.
- All applicants will obtain all necessary regulatory approvals, including any required environmental assessment, as a group.
- Applicants will apply for the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership BMP funding based on actual individual costs of the total project.
- Applications and invoices for pooled projects must clearly indicate the participants in the project and the share of the total project cost each applicant is responsible for.
All businesses from which goods or services are purchased must be at Arm’s Length from the applicant, meaning not related to the applicant, not affiliated with the applicant, or controlled in any way by the applicant.
Some BMP projects require a completed plan before you can apply. Read this section to see if this applies to your project.
For 2026/27 applications, some BMP activities (e.g. Biodiversity projects) require a completed plan or design before you can apply for funding. If you don’t have this required plan, you must have it completed before applying for the related practice code (e.g. Code 1901).
- Required plans must be prepared by a qualified professional who is certified to do this work. Please check out IAF’s list of verified contractors if you’re looking for one in your region.
- Plans cannot be prepared by the applicant themselves.
If you do not have the required plan yet, you have two options:
Option 1: Apply for the plan first (recommended)
- Apply for the required plan or design through the BMP Planning & Design (P&D) intake.
- Once the plan is completed, you may apply in a future (not 2026/27) BMP intake for the related practice code.
Option 2: Pay for the plan yourself
- You may choose to pay for the plan out of pocket.
- Once the plan is completed, you may apply for the related BMP practice code. A copy of the completed plan or design must be uploaded at the time you submit your application.
Important Reminders:
- Funding is not guaranteed. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are fully allocated.
- Retroactive costs are not eligible for reimbursement.
- For the same project, Planning & Design and implementation applications cannot be approved at the same time if the practice code requires a pre-requisite. The Planning & Design work must be completed first.
- Some Riparian and Grazing BMP projects do not require a Riparian Management Plan at the time of application.
If you are unsure whether a specific BMP code requires a pre-requisite plan, please contact us before applying so we can help you confirm.
Any projects cancelled by the applicant or those that exceed the deadline are considered cancelled. Any materials or services obtained for a cancelled project are not eligible for payment if a new application is received later. A previously started but cancelled project is eligible for further consideration. However, all costs incurred for materials or services under the previous application will be ineligible for funding under the new application.
These are valid for the 2026/27 BMP Program Year; however, they are subject to revision.
Once a project is approved, it must be completed as per the application and approval unless written communication from the Program agrees to changes to the project. Projects may be subject to cancellation if they are not completed as approved. This applies to equipment purchases and construction projects. Projects that require planting of any form of vegetation (i.e., tree or shrubs) or the management of vegetation, such as vegetative buffers, riparian plantings, pollinator habitats or grazing management practices must be based on the approved designs in required management plans and/or approved plans and description in the project application.
All planning, technical assessments or engineering designs must include a quote at time of application from a qualified professional. To learn more about the requirements for professionals and/or to find a qualified professional that has previously worked on a BMP project, visit: [link]
In addition to the qualified professionals listed in the link above, an appropriately qualified professional who meets the following criteria is eligible to complete engineering or technical designs:
- Is registered in British Columbia and in good standing with the relevant professional organization
- Has self-declared competency in specific reserved areas of practice relevant to the work being completed
- Adheres to the Code of Ethics of that organization
- Is subject to the disciplinary authority of that organization.
Qualified professionals may also be required to demonstrate a working knowledge of when to engage other professionals (e.g., Registered Professional Foresters (RPF), Professional Engineers (PEng), Certified Irrigation Designers (CID) to collaboratively design and implement appropriate plans or projects.
Engineering or technical design work may be an eligible cost as a stand-alone item. Engineering or design costs should be included as part of the overall BMP project costs or as a stand-alone cost for structures that require engineering approval (e.g., structures, roofs, containment systems, etc.).
Funding may be provided for the environmental-enhancing components (incremental costs) or new or existing equipment. This is based on project justification, cost estimates, and may be subject to a technical review by appropriate experts. Equipment (e.g., mowers, sprayers, spreaders, wood residue grinders, etc.) purchases must only be new equipment or, if used, they must be from a recognized and reputable farm equipment dealer who certifies the equipment has been reconditioned and is in good working order.
The program requires you to provide proof of payment for all invoices, and proof of payment must be under the Legal Name on your application. Proof of payment can be a paid company invoice(s) showing the amount as fully paid with a zero-balance owing and the contact information for the company, a processed cheque with an invoice, or a credit card statement as evidence payment. Cash payments will not be eligible unless accompanied by an official company voucher and proof of payment. Financing or monthly payments to a contractor will not be eligible. Barter/exchange transactions are not eligible.
Each farm can receive up to $100,000 in total funding under the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program during the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) period, from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028. This limit of $100,000 is called the lifetime funding cap.
NOTE: In 2025/26 a per-farm cap of $200,000 for the Water Infrastructure category was in place. This is no longer in effect for 2026/27.
All BMP funding approved in the 2025/26 program year counts toward this $100,000 cap. This includes funding approved under Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP).
The lifetime cap applies across all BMP categories unless otherwise specified. This means:
- Funding approved in 2025/26 under the BMP: Water Infrastructure category in 2025/26 counts toward the $100,000 lifetime cap, even though the category allowed for a higher per-project cap of up to $200,000. Some farms that received Water Infrastructure funding in 2025/26 may have already reached the lifetime cap and may not be eligible for more BMP funding in future intakes.
- If your farm received funding under BMP: Extreme Weather Preparedness (EWP) in 2025/26, that funding counts toward the $100,000 per-farm lifetime cap.
Applicants are encouraged to review their past BMP and EWP approvals to make sure they have not reached the lifetime and/or category-specific funding limit.
Operations that participated in the BMP program under the previous Agricultural Policy Frameworks such as, Continuity Year, Growing Forward, Growing Forward 2, and the Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreements, will have their funding caps reset, and those farms are now eligible for and can continue to access the program until such time as their farm cap has been reached.
The maximum amount of eligible costs for materials is $20.00 per meter at the cost-share for the applicable practice code. This is regardless of whether the fence is installed by the applicant or by a fencing contractor.
Funding for partial projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and is eligible only when the partial projects, on their own, achieve significant environmental risk reduction. Requests for consideration must include justification or evidence of regulatory agency documentation that may have delayed project completion.
The primary purpose for allowing in-kind contributions to cover a portion of the project costs is to reduce the cash cost to the applicant.
- Eligible for in-kind:
- Reasonable hours of labour invested by the applicant, his/her dependents, and business partner(s) may be claimed.
- Equipment costs associated with equipment owned by an applicant and considered essential to implement the approved project.
- The maximum allowable in-kind labour and the equipment rates are:
| Category | Description | Rate |
| Labour | General labour (e.g., building, planting etc.) | $21.40/hour |
| Small Equipment & Labour | Farm Tractor and Implements – up to 80 hp (does not include hand tools or motorized tools less than 25 hp) | $64.15/hour |
| Medium Equipment & Labour | Farm Tractor and Implements – 80 to 120 hp (e.g., tandem axle dump truck) | $96.20/hour |
| Large Equipment & Labour | Farm Tractor and Implements – greater than 120 hp (e.g., excavator, loader backhoe or land scraper) | $150/hour |
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- If approved, actual labour equipment hours must be tracked and submitted.
- Not eligible for in-kind funding:
- Materials or supplies in a farm’s inventory (on-hand), or products produced on the farm and contributed to the project by the applicant.
- Applicant costs associated with education, project planning, supervision, or administration.
- Projects in the Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs and Extreme Weather Preparedness categories.
- For all eligible Categories, the total estimated in-kind contributions are limited to 25% of the total eligible project costs.
- For in-kind related to fencing, in-kind labour and equipment for producer-installed fencing will be reviewed for applicant-installed fences. In-kind costs can equal the receipted value of purchased fence materials. If approved, actual labour and equipment hours must be tracked and submitted.
- For in-kind related to shelterbelts, hedgerows, and vegetative buffers planting – see Tree and Shrub Planting.
If a farm business plans to claim in-kind contributions, accurate estimates must be reflected in the total project cost submitted with the project application. All proposed uses of in-kind labour and equipment must be identified on the initial BMP project application. Refer to the BMP Application Form for more details. IAF will make a final determination on the number of hours and a reasonable rate for the hours claimed based on the BMP being implemented and the nature of the work performed.
All projects must abide by all applicable federal, provincial, and local government laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Federal and Provincial environmental assessment and protection acts, trade agreements, and zoning bylaws. It is the responsibility of the applicant, not the Program, to ensure compliance.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is responsible for providing a livestock and poultry premises identification system for the BC livestock sector. A premises is any parcel of land where animals are kept, assembled, raised, or disposed of. A premises ID is an important part of a full traceability system that also includes animal identification and animal movement. In the event of an animal health or disaster emergency, the faster suspect animals can be identified, the better. To be eligible for program funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, applicants to livestock operations are required to register with the BC Premises Identification Program must provide their 9-digit BC Premises Identification Number.
A Premises Identification Number is a unique national number assigned to a piece of land by the Government of British Columbia and is a critical component of the National Livestock Traceability System. If you have livestock or poultry on your property, you are required to provide your 9-digit BC Premises Identification Number (e.g., BC33A13P4 or BC44TR55E) to be eligible for this cost-shared funding. If you have not previously registered your premises with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, please visit the BC Premises ID Program website at www.gov.bc.ca/premisesidprogram or email BCPID@gov.bc.ca or call (Toll-Free) 1-899-221-7141 or 604-556-3001 to register your premises.
Funding for projects that are expected to take longer than the set deadline for the project category (for example, for Riparian and Grazing Projects, there is a set deadline of 140 days from the Project Approval/Start Date and/or projects that are expected to span more than one fiscal year (April – March) will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applications that intend to span more than one fiscal year must indicate the work that will occur in each project year, and the budget associated with that work. It should be noted that projects that span more than one fiscal year will still only be entitled to the same Maximum Total Funding Amount for the one Fiscal Year (for example, for Riparian and Grazing Projects, the maximum total funding amount would remain $70,000). Requests for consideration must include justification for extending the project.
Eligible farm or ranch operations are not limited to the number of projects—or equipment-related BMP applications per year per eligible farm enterprise.
Farm or ranch operations that have completed an NMP between April 1, 2016, and February 28th, 2019, are only eligible for funding under this practice codes if their NMP no longer meets the “in-force” Sections of The Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management (BC Reg 8/2019). Operations that have not previously completed an NMP are eligible to access this practice codes if all other BMP Program eligibility requirements are met.
All planning, technical assessments or engineering designs must include a quote at time of application from a qualified professional. The quote(s) must clearly indicate issue(s) requiring action and the recommended actions or equipment required to achieve the desired agri-environmental outcomes (e.g., type of equipment currently in place and recommended new equipment).
A ‘paid’ invoice is required from the eligible qualified professional who completed the work at the time of project reporting.
Both quote and invoice should include itemized charges for consulting services and costs (i.e., hours, testing, and travel).
To learn more about the requirements for professionals and/or to find a qualified professional visit: [link]
All projects must be completed by the deadline outlined in their funding approval letter. Work, invoices, and project summary reports must be completed and dated on or before the deadline date outlined in the approval letter. Projects will be considered cancelled if the paperwork is not received by the deadline date; the funding will then be reallocated to other projects.
If a project extension is required, the applicant may request written approval from program administration to extend their project work beyond the deadline date. A project extension will only be considered in extenuating circumstances (i.e., delays because of regulatory approval or significant environmental conditions such as forest fires or flooding).
Projects will be considered ineligible for funding of any portion of the project has been initiated prior to the beginning of the fiscal year (April 1, 2026) or as outlined in the project approval letter.
Each eligible project constitutes a single application, but some projects may include more than one practice code. Category caps and farm caps still apply.
Program policy sets a percentage maximum amount of government funds that can be used towards the total project costs. For Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership environmental and climate programming, this has been set at 100% of the total eligible costs of the BMP Project.
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., weather stations) are not eligible for reimbursement. The exception to this would be the one-time rental of equipment or tools required to construct a project (e.g., excavators).
The maximum amount of eligible cost for any tree or shrub planting materials is $85 per tree/shrub, exclusive of establishment costs. This applies to contractor or applicant planting.
- Where a contractor supplies and installs plants, there is no in-kind eligibility.
- Where an applicant completes the planting, the in-kind labour and equipment categories above will be used.
Resources
Beneficial Management Practices Program Guide
Download the Beneficial Management Practices Program Guide.
Funding Acknowledgement Requirements
Download the Funding Acknowledgement Requirements for the Beneficial Management Practices Program.
Landowner Statement
Download the Landowner Statement for the Beneficial Management Practices Program.
Need a Contractor?
IAF has assembled a list of verified contractors that are able to help execute your plan/design.
Have an Active Project?
Please visit the program’s Project Resource Hub for more information.
Project Profiles & Successes
New Siberia Farms Udderly Transforms Manure Storage
Kelsi Stiles2024-04-23T14:16:24-07:00May 9, 2024|
Shrubbing Out Environmental Risks at Rivershore Trees
Kelsi Stiles2024-04-23T14:15:33-07:00April 25, 2024|
Installing a Vegetative Buffer at Singh Valley Farm
Kelsi Stiles2024-03-28T07:25:01-07:00April 30, 2023|
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).
