Farmers whose farms were damaged by the flooding in November have been given a two-month extension to apply for financial help.
The enrolment deadline for the Canada-BC Flood Recovery for Food Security Program has been pushed from June 1 to Aug. 31.
The program helps farmers return to production by reimbursing them for uninsured expenses they incurred, and is funded by the provincial and federal governments.
Covered expenses include:
• Cleanup, repair and restoration of land, barns and animal shelters, and water and waste systems; returning flood-affected land and buildings to a safe state for agricultural production;
• Repairing uninsurable essential farm infrastructure;
• Repairing structures such as livestock-containment fences;
• Renting temporary production facilities;
• Installing drainage ditches and land-stabilization materials;
• Animal welfare activities such as replacing feed, transporting livestock, veterinary care and mortality disposal;
• Replacing perennial plants not grown for sale.
The enrolment deadline for farmers to begin their claim process is being extended from June 1 to Aug. 31. Processing of claims will continue after the deadline and farmers can continue submitting documents outlining their expenses after that date.
To apply or see the criteria, visit gov.bc.ca/agrifloodrecovery
For one-on-one assistance in English and Punjabi for completing applications, email agrirecovery@gov.bc.ca or call: 1 888 332-3352.
READ MORE: Some Abbotsford farms already receiving flood recovery funds, others may take up to a year
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