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B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program

Last updated on September 1, 2026

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Overview

B.C.'s Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) provides funding to help primary agricultural producers and food and beverage processors access business planning services and specialized business training.  
 
The program helps businesses build knowledge, strengthen planning, and support future growth and resilience. 

Funding is available through two streams: 

  1. Agri-business Skills and Leadership Development 
  2. Business Planning, Preparedness, and Disaster Recovery
     
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Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements. Additional documentation may be required to demonstrate eligibility. 

1. Must be a either

a. Primary agriculture producer growing or raising fresh food or agricultural products which are 100 percent grown or raised in British Columbia and are intended for sale1

     OR

b. Agriculture, food and beverage processor processing food, beverage, or agricultural products which are processed and packaged in B.C. with 51 percent or more of the direct cost of producing the product in its final form2

2. Must:

a. Be a B.C. registered business taxable entity for example, sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or other associations of persons or trust, with a GST and business number
b. File income tax under the Income Tax Act in British Columbia
c. Report total annual gross revenues greater than $50,000 in the previous year to Canada Revenue Agency
d. For Indigenous-owned businesses that do not meet the eligibility requirements outlined above, please contact Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca to discuss program eligibility

3. All proprietors, partners, members, or shareholders must be residents of British Columbia

Indigenous applicants

The Province is committed to supporting the success of Indigenous businesses in the agriculture and food sector. We understand that Indigenous businesses may have distinct characteristics reflecting regulatory, operational, cultural, and other factors. We aim for flexibility in our program delivery to reduce barriers and ensure the accessibility of our programs. 

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to reach out to program staff with any questions. 

Ineligible applicants 

Applications are not accepted from: 

  • Aquaculture, seaweed, fish and/or seafood producers or processors
  • Aquaponic food producers
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Soil amending businesses
  • Unlicensed cannabis operations

1 For primary producers engaged in commercial agriculture production annual gross farm income is defined as income from sales of farm commodities including production insurance, crop and livestock sales including licensed cannabis production, and value-added farm products; but does not include income from custom work, (providing services to a person engaged in farming activities, i.e., providing landscaping) riding lessons, boarding horses, land and facilities rent, aquaculture, raising of pets, agri-tourism income, sales of forestry products and some agro-forestry products, government program payments, or any other non-commodity income. 

2 For example, the sum of raw materials, direct labour, variable processing, and packaging originating in B.C. When the main raw materials are available in sufficient quantities from B.C. producers, they must be used.

 

Program funding

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is fully allocated. Funding is provided to approved applicants through reimbursement after project completion. 

 

Program timeline

Application dates 

  • Opens September 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (PT) 
  • Closes October 20, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. (PT), or until funding has been fully allocated 

If applications are incomplete, program staff may request the missing details or ask for resubmission. The timestamp of the latest submission determines your place in the first-come, first-served queue. Resubmitted applications are placed at the end of the queue. 

Completion dates 

  • Submit claims for reimbursement by March 1, 2027 
  • Stream 1 training/courses must be completed by March 31, 2027 
 

Stream 1: Agri-Business Skills and Leadership Development

Goal: To support access to specialized training for business owners and managers resulting in improved business management knowledge, adoption of practices and benefit(s) to the business.

Funding: Up to 70 percent of eligible costs

  • Maximum reimbursement of up to $2,000
  • Minimum reimbursement of $500 
  • For example: Cost of eligible specialized training(s) of $715.00 at 70 percent = $500 funding provided  

Eligible activities: Specialized training, courses, registration, fees, and tuition for:

  • Business management including topics such as:
    • Financial analysis
    • Cash flow management
    • Human resource management
    • Cost of production
    • Benchmarking
  • Business leadership
  • Business management conferences

Ineligible activities 

  • Registration and tuition fees for learning and specialized training not listed above 
  • Travel costs
  • Acquiring programs, software, devices, stationery, required textbooks or other assets
  • Costs incurred before the receipt of the ABPP Approval Letter
  • Activities and costs for which the applicant received funding through another Sustainable CAP-funded program since April 1, 2023 
  • GST
 

Stream 2: Business Planning, Preparedness and Disaster Recovery

Goals:  

  • To increase awareness, knowledge, and adoption of best business management practices that support business and sector growth and sustainability 
  • To support businesses to proactively assess their financial situation as part of a comprehensive risk assessment plan and/or to assess the feasibility of the financial investment in growth, setting up a contingency fund, business interruption insurance, breakeven analysis, succession, sale of assets, debt service capacity, debt restructure and/or debt mediation 
  • To support the development of immediate and long-term recovery plans for businesses that have been impacted by an external event such as fire, flood, drought, tornado, disease outbreak, death, or illness 

Funding:

  • Maximum reimbursement of up to $7,500 for an individual business
  • Minimum reimbursement of $500 
  • Any costs that exceed the eligible funding amounts are the responsibility of the applicant

Eligible activities  

Business planning services and coaching from a qualified business consultant to create, update or renew a business plan focused on one, or a combination of, the following business planning specialization areas: 

  • Business disaster recovery for example, drought, fire, flood
  • Business emergency preparedness
  • Business structures 
  • Business strategy 
  • Cash flow and financial analysis 
  • Human resources management
  • Product development 
  • Production economics 
  • Risk assessment and mitigation 
  • Succession/transition planning 
  • Value added ventures 

 Ineligible activities  

  • Accounting, bookkeeping, income tax preparation, search of titles, off-farm investment planning and other costs associated with implementing the action plan  
  • Acquiring capital assets
  • Activities/costs associated with the preparation/compilation of applications and/or forms for other provincial or federal programs (e.g., crop insurance, AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriRecovery, WorkSafe BC)
  • Costs associated with the gathering of data such as soil analysis, tissue analysis/germination and seed viability testing, crop scouting activities
  • Preparation of legal documents, contracts and/or formal agreements 
  • Costs incurred before the receipt of the ABPP approval letter
  • Activities and costs for which the applicant received funding through another Sustainable CAP-funded program since April 1, 2023 
  • GST
 

How to apply

  1. Review the Program Guide (PDF, 1.5 MB) for eligibility requirements and how to prepare your application, including required forms
  2. Make sure you have a valid Business BCeID or BC Services Card account. Basic BCeID accounts will not be accepted. It may take a few days to create an account
  3. Submit your application online. The application link will be posted on this webpage on September 15, 2026, at 9 am

Forms for your application

Forms for your claim

 

Contact

If you are interested in applying to the program and have questions about the application process or eligibility criteria, please contact program staff at Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca or call 1-888-221-7141.

 

Resources

Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Farm Credit Canada

Farm Management Canada

Business planning template (Business Development Bank of Canada) 

Business plan writer (Futurepreneur Canada)

Foundations in Agricultural Management (University of Guelph) a free business planning course

Innovation and technology

Human resources

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Good news stories

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Lentelus Farms

Our roots

"The ministry is there to support you in environmental farm planning. They'll help you with management plans. Check the ministry website for funding opportunities." ~ Dave Semmelink, Lentelus Farm

Lentelus Farm - Mixed stock rotational grazing with Dave Semmelink (YouTube)

Cows grazing in a field

 

Elephant Island Orchard Wines

The Farm | Elephant Island Winery

The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program has been instrumental in revitalizing operations and financial management for Elephant Island Orchard Wines. The grant allowed us to perform an extensive financial analysis and operational review, directly addressing significant financial challenges. Through strategic guidance of Terroir Consulting, we implemented precise inventory tracking, streamlined financial practices, and optimized our product portfolio by focusing on high-margin, consumer-preferred products.

As a direct result, Elephant Island has substantially reduced its overhead expenses, improved cash flow management, and enhanced its market adaptability, which have not only stabilized the business but also positioned it for sustainable, profitable growth. The consultancy and funding provided by the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program were pivotal in helping Elephant Island navigate industry challenges and secure a more resilient, financially sustainable future.” Miranda and Del Halladay

Sunrise overlooking a farm

 

Roche Wines

Our Story - Roche Wines, Okanagan Valley BC

“The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program has significantly impacted Roche Wines by providing essential support during a challenging time due to a severe regional freeze event. Through this grant, Roche Wines was consulted by Terroir Consulting to seamlessly integrate sourced premium grapes into our existing Tradition and Vig product lines. This initiative allowed us to maintain our high-quality standards, sustain product availability, and clearly communicate with consumers through transparent and compliant labeling.

The strategic recommendations provided through the program, including product portfolio optimization, market positioning, and brand enhancements, have effectively addressed immediate supply challenges and positioned Roche Wines for future growth. This support was vital in enabling Roche Wines to navigate industry disruptions, secure long-term sustainability, and strengthen our brand resilience.” Penelope and Dylan Roche

Three people walking down a dirt road

 

SCAP | Province of British Columbia | Government of Canada

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Contact information

Please contact us if you have questions about programs to support agriculture and seafood businesses

Toll Free
1-888-221-7141
Email
Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca