Farmers' and women's institutes

Farmers' and women's institutes are rural organizations that may be incorporated or continued under the Farmers and Womens Institutes Act RSBC 1996, Chapter 133 (the Act). 

The Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes is appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food to administer the Act, along with registration and annual reporting requirements.

The legislation pieces are cross-commodity in nature and are concerned with most aspects of the farming industry and society from a community agriculture perspective.

The Act describes the objects for which farmers' and women's institutes may be incorporated, and provides a process for incorporation. It authorizes the appointment of a Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes:

• Farmers and Womens Institutes Act
• Farmers and Womens Institutes Act Regulation

B.C. farmers' institutes

British Columbia farmers' institutes strive to serve the needs of the local agricultural community, and meet monthly to identify and address issues of interest and concern to local farms, farmers, and agricultural stakeholders.

Members also sit on committees in the wider community, advocating for farmers’ interests at community, municipal, provincial and federal levels.

They offer regular workshops, farm tours, professional development opportunities, farmers markets, and social events to benefit farmers, farms, other agricultural stakeholders and the local community.

For more information about farmers' institutes please contact AgriService BC.

Listing of farmers' institutes

Name	Contact information	Social media
Comox Valley Farmers Institute	cvfinstitute@gmail.com	Facebook
Cowichan Agricultural Society & Farmers' Institute	secretary@cowichanagriculturalsociety.org	Facebook ​Instagram
Lake Country Farmers' Institute	lcfarmin2023@gmail.com	--
McBride Farmers Institute	markrothventures@gmail.com (250) 569-7805	--
North Pine Farmers Institute	northpinefarmersinstitute@gmail.com	Facebook
Peace Region Farmers' Institute	peaceregionfi@gmail.com	Facebook ​Instagram
Pender Island Farmers' Institute	penderislandmarket@gmail.com (250) 222-3817	Facebook
Powell River Farmers' Agricultural Institute	powellriverfarmersmarket@gmail.com (604) 414-5076	Facebook
Salmon River Farmers Institute	thesrfi@shaw.ca	--
Salmon Valley Community Farmers Institute	svcommunityfarmersinstitute@gmail.com (250) 981-1188	Facebook
Salt Spring Island Farmers' Institute	contact@ssifi.org (250) 537-4755	--
Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers Institute and Agricultural Society	president@farmersinstitute.ca	Facebook
South Vancouver Island Farmers Institute	info@sifarmersinstitute.ca	Facebook Instagram
Sunshine Coast Farmers' Institute	info@scfi.ca	Instagram

B.C. Women's Institute

British Columbia Women's Institute offers opportunities for interested women to become informed on a variety of family and community issues by community action and involvement, personal development, and networking with other women.

There are learning opportunities from speakers, workshops, seminars and each other to gain awareness of current social issues, opportunities for self-improvement, leadership skills, self-confidence and new friends. 

• Learn more about B.C.'s Women's Institute