B.C. government says land matching program reaches milestone of 100 farmers

B.C. government says land matching program reaches milestone of 100 farmers
Courtesy of CBC
The B.C. government says its land matching program, linking farmers to landowners, has reached a milestone with more than 100 connections.

The B.C. government says its land matching program, linking farmers to landowners, has reached a milestone with more than 100 connections.

It says farmers in the province have used the program to grow crops and raise livestock on about 2,000 hectares over the past four years.

The government says 46 land matches were finalized last year, which will bring more local food options to communities.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says in a statement the program helps farmers access land, keeping it in production, while adding a next generation of agriculture leaders.

“The benefits of land matching are hands-on, personalized support services to new farmers and landowners to better understand regulations, evaluate opportunities, access resources, and ultimately find a land match partner,” says the government.

Ninety per cent of the matches are in regions with high real estate prices, including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan.

The businesses farm a range of agricultural products such as sheep, flowers, berries, eggs, honey, mushrooms and more.

The program is administered by the Young Agrarians and, according to the government, addresses the “significant barrier to land access” for those seeking to enter the B.C. agriculture industry.

With files to the Canadian Press.

Graham CoxGraham Cox

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