Features Fruit Production
Agriculture, environment, wildlife fund announced

February 26, 2009, Abbotsford, B.C. – Enhanced environmental
stewardship on B.C. farms will be the result of a new fund announced by
the  B.C. Agriculture Council (BCAC) and the Investment Agriculture
Foundation of B.C. (IAF).

February 26, 2009, Abbotsford, B.C. – Enhanced environmental stewardship on B.C. farms will be the result of a new fund announced by the  B.C. Agriculture Council (BCAC) and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF) .

More than $800,000 has been committed to the establishment of the Agriculture, Environment and Wildlife Fund (AEWF). Funded by the IAF with the support of industry groups, the AEWF will continue to strengthen the successful partnerships between industry, government and funding partners that have evolved through recent joint agri-environmental initiatives.

The goal of the AEWF is to reduce agricultural impacts on the environment through improved on-farm management practices, while simultaneously mitigating the impact of wildlife on the economic viability of agricultural operations. The new fund will support a broad range of projects including environmental stewardship, wildlife impact mitigation, agricultural by-product management, invasive species management, area planning, education and awareness, technology transfer, and research related to its objectives. Eligible applicants include producer, agricultural, environmental and related organizations, as well as regional and local governments.

Producer groups are encouraged to apply for funding for projects that increase producer and public knowledge and understanding of issues related to agricultural and environmental stewardship.

For AEWF funding guidelines and application forms, please visit the BCAC website at www.bcac.bc.ca.