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Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

The B.C. Agriculture Plan

Introduction and Vision

Century Farm Awards


Century Farm Awards are designed to honour pioneers whose farms or ranches have been in the family for 100 years or more.

The original Century Farms were farms or ranches with a minimum of five acres (two hectares) owned by the immediate descendants of the original owners and operated as a farm or ranch at all times. They could also be an institute or industry association that has been active for 100 years. The recently expanded award program also honours a farm or ranch that has been owned and operated by the same family for 100 years or more, but whose owners do not now live on it or operate it or have moved from one location to another.

The expanded Century Farm program celebrates the resiliency of B.C. farmers and the economic strength and diversity of the industry.

British Columbia has a proud and storied history tied to our rich and diverse natural resources. Throughout our history and well into our future, agriculture has and will continue to play an essential role in the social and economic well-being of British Columbia. Access to safe, locally produced food, an emphasis on climate change, environment and healthy eating, and a shared understanding of urban and rural interests are all key to the agriculture industry’s long-term growth and sustainability.

Agriculture is currently undergoing unprecedented change, posing both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. The B.C. agriculture and food sectors are facing fierce global competition, increased costs of production, intense competition for inputs such as labour, land and energy, and uncertainty as a result of major events such as disease, drought and floods. At the same time, opportunities for the sector include developing and commercializing new scientific advances and diversifying into higher-value products, marketing directly to the consumer, and pursuing other activities such as agri-tourism. Agriculture is also ideally positioned to make major contributions to climate change mitigation, a cleaner, greener environment, and the improved health and well-being of British Columbians.

In order to achieve long-term success for the agriculture and food sector, British Columbia needs a plan for the future. To create the framework required for such a plan, the Agriculture Plan Committee met with British Columbians from across the province (see Appendix C, Committee Process). The committee heard from a wide range of stakeholders on their concerns and ideas about the future of agriculture and the food-supply system. Hundreds of written submissions were received, and the Committee held numerous discussions with producers, processors, retail organizations, agencies from all levels of government, community groups and other interest groups. This feedback combined with the work and dedication of the committee members was integral to the development of the B.C. Agriculture Plan.

The 23 strategies outlined in this Agriculture Plan create a roadmap to sustain and facilitate the growth and diversification of the industry while increasing public awareness, understanding and support for the food production system. At the heart of this plan is the Province of British Columbia’s agriculture vision:

Continued development and growth of an economically viable and resilient agriculture and food sector which contributes significantly to:

  • the health of British Columbians;
  • climate change mitigation;
  • environmental sustainability; and
  • a growing B.C. economy.

B.C. Agriculture Council

B.C. farmers recognized the importance of having a unified provincial organization that would represent farmers in all sectors and all regions of the province, forming the B.C. Agriculture Council in 1997 to meet that need.

The council fosters cooperation and a collective response to matters affecting the future of agriculture in the province and facilitates programs and service delivery for a number of programs that both benefit the industry and meet government objectives.

The council operates as a partner with government on a wide range of initiatives, including the following:

  • Partnership Committee on Agriculture and the Environment – which serves as a forum for resolving agriculture-environment issues.
  • Delivery of the National Farm Stewardship Program and Environmental Farm Plan Program, which has been responsible for the implementation of significant on-farm initiatives for improved environmental management.
  • Agri-Food Partners in Healthy Eating, in cooperation with ActNow BC, provides increased opportunities for British Columbians to make healthy food choices.
  • Partnership Committee on Labour – which serves as a forum to help address the labour needs of the sector.

B.C. Food Processors Association

The B.C. Food Processors Association was formed in 2004 to develop and support the food processing sector across the province. The association serves its members and the industry by:

  • Serving as a communications link and information bank on issues that impact the growth of B.C.’s food, beverage and nutraceutical processing industries.
  • Representing B.C. food, beverage and nutraceutical processors with WorkSafeBC and government.
  • Administering the B.C. Meat Industry Enhancement Strategy, an all-encompassing strategy designed to increase the licensed slaughter capacity of B.C.
  • Championing and leading the B.C. Food and Beverage Processing Industry Initiative and the Processing Industry Strategic Plan.

The association has also focused on labour issues, initiatives that encourage practices leading to a clean and sustainable environment and works collaboratively with government, the B.C. Agriculture Council and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. to address issues that affect the entire agriculture and food value chain.

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