South Coast - Overview

The South Coast is both a significant supplier and consumer of agricultural products, and a major contributor to the province’s economy and food security.

The region is favoured with a large and diverse local market, easy access to the U.S. border and Port Metro Vancouver for international markets. Over half of the province’s population lives in the Metro Vancouver area.

Growing conditions

The South Coast has excellent growing conditions, featuring a cooler, wetter climate and fertile soils. These conditions allow for a broad range of crops and livestock types and are especially suitable for high-value crops that have strong domestic and international markets.

Crops, livestock and food processing

Over 200 commodities are produced commercially in the South Coast, including cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, potatoes, dairy products, poultry and eggs. The region also hosts the majority of the greenhouse businesses in the province.

Local south coast information

Find out more specific information about the South Coast agricultural region:

• South Coast special update: drought preparedness - June 2024
• Industry contacts
• Local planning
• Soil and nutrients
• Regional e-Bulletin

Regional agrologists

Sea to Sky/Sunshine Coast/Central Fraser Valley - Township of Langley, Maple Ridge, Sunshine Coast Regional District, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (except Area B: Lillooet), Howe Sound (Islands Trust), Bowen Island Municipality.

Jenny Liu
Telephone: 604-743-1959
Email: Jenny.Liu@gov.bc.ca

Fraser Valley Regional District - Municipalities of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Kent, and Mission and Electoral Areas A (Boston Bar, North Bend, and Canyon Alpine), B (Yale, Choate, Dogwood Valley, Emory Creek, Laidlaw, Othello, Ruby Creek, Spuzzum, and Sunshine Valley), C (Hemlock Valley, Harrison Mills, Lake Errock and Weaver Creek and includes several First Nations including Douglas, Leq'a:mel, Samahquam, Scowlitz, Skatin and Sts'ailes), D (Popkum and Bridal Falls), E (Chilliwack River Valley), F (Durieu, Hatzic Prairie, and McConnell Creek, G (Deroche, Dewdney, Hatzic Island, and Nicomen Island east of Mission), and H (Cultus Lake/Columbia Valley).

Andrew Vogler
Telephone: 604-743-1960
Email: Andrew.Vogler@gov.bc.ca

Metro Vancouver Regional District - Delta, Richmond, Surrey, Pitt Meadows, Burnaby, Electoral Area A, Tsawwassen First Nation, City of Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, White Rock, Anmore, Belcarra, Lions Bay.

Drew Bondar
Telephone: 778-666-0584
Email: Drew.Bondar@gov.bc.ca

Resources

The ministry has developed regional guides as a resource for producers, on-the ground researchers, and consultants to reflect on the climate issues challenging environmental sustainability and local farm businesses and food production.

• Regional Guidebook – Lower Mainland and Sea-to-Sky (PDF, 4.9 MB)

On-Farm Demonstration Research Trials

This project aims to promote and support the adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) among growers in the Lower Mainland and Pemberton through on-farm demonstration research (OFDR). OFDR plays a crucial role in agricultural extension by bridging the gap between academic research and real-world farming. It allows growers to test proven BMPs under practical conditions, providing a low-risk way to observe results firsthand. 
 
By engaging producers in topic selection, trial design, and data collection, the project builds their capacity to carry out scientifically guided trials independently. Farmer participants are directly involved in setting up the trials in the field with support from the research contractor. Over time, farmers are empowered to replicate trials and share insights through peer-to-peer networks—a proven and effective method of knowledge dissemination in agriculture.  

• Video (3:08 min) Overview and benefits
• Video (6:22 min) Interseeding cover crops in broccoli

A research brief and research manual has been developed for each OFDR topic. 

Research  brief - a summary of the OFDR experiment for the topic in question, including background, methodology, and results

Research manual - detailed methodology for replicating the trial on your own farm, including materials lists, approximate costs, and data sheets

Evaluating Cover Crop Mixes Suited to Providing a Habitat for Predatory Ground Beetles

• Research brief (PDF, 1.3 MB)
• Research manual (PDF, 599 KB)

Fall Application of Gypsum to Improve Sulphate Availability 

• Research brief (PDF, 285 KB)
• Research manual (PDF, 408 KB)

Humic Acid Application to Improve Soil Compaction and Blueberry Health

• Research brief (PDF, 476 KB)
• Research manual (PDF, 542 KB)

Interseeding Cover Crops in Broccoli for Soil Health 

• Research brief (PDF, 870 KB)
• Research manual (PDF, 404 KB)

Liming to Improve Nutrient Availability and Potato Yield

• Research brief (PDF, 409 KB)
• Research manual (PDF, 367 KB)

Nematode Control Using Biofumigation 

• Research brief (PDF, 761 KB)
• Research manual (PDF, 590 KB)

No-till Cabbage to Improve Soil Health

• Research brief (PDF, 798 KB)
• Research manual (PDF, 467 KB)

Perennial Plant Headland for Beneficial Insects in Cabbage

• Research brief (PDF, 1 MB)
• Research manual (PDF, 806 KB)

Using a Nitrogen-fixing Biological to Improve Nutrient Management

• Research brief (PDF, 540 KB)
• Research manual (PDF, 782 KB)