B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program

The B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program supports Indigenous peoples' success in the food and agriculture sector. 

The program offers two streams of support: one for Indigenous governments, communities and organizations  and the other for Indigenous entrepreneurs.  

Application intake is now closed. 

Stream 1 - Indigenous governments, communities and organizations

  • Agricultural Opportunities Assessment (Step 1)
  • Financial and Business Planning (Step 2) 

​Stream 2 - Indigenous entrepreneurs

  • Business Plan Coaching and Development (Step 1) 
  • Specialized Business Planning and Management (Step 2) 

Stream 1: Indigenous governments, communities and organizations

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Eligibility

This stream of the program is open to any Indigenous government, community or organization, including a band or tribal council, government of a self-governing First Nation or Métis Nation Chartered Community, Society or Association, economic development corporation, other Indigenous organization or association, Indigenous for-profit or not-for-profit corporation, cooperative or institution, or other Indigenous business, partnership or joint venture in the Province of British Columbia. Additionally, to apply for Financial and Business Planning (Step 2), you must have completed Step 1 of the program or an equivalent business planning or assessment process. Individuals should apply to the Indigenous Entrepreneur stream of the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program.

 

Application forms and guides

 

How to apply

  1. Review the Program Guide and Application Forms for your stream to ensure you are eligible and that your project idea is a good fit for the program.
  2. Download Qualified Business Consultant list and identify a consultant to work with you to develop your project idea and application. 
  3. Submit your completed application to: AgriBusiness@gov.bc.ca

If at any time you have questions or would like to discuss your project idea, please contact B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program Staff through AgriBusiness@gov.bc.ca or 1-888-221-7141.

 

Program details

The program provides two steps of financial support to work with a B.C. Ministry of Agriculture pre-approved Qualified Business Consultant. Services include feasibility analysis, financial and business planning and skills development for agriculture and food production and processing activities, including for community food security.

  • Agriculture opportunities assessment (step 1) provides up to $5,000 to complete a feasibility assessment of agricultural development options, food security planning, and/or business planning functions related to agriculture and food production, processing and other associated activities.
  • Financial and business planning (step 2) provides up to $10,000 for financial analysis, specialized business planning and skills development related to agriculture and food production, processing and other associated activities. 
  • Community engagement top-up fund: During each step of the program, you are also eligible for up to $2,000 of additional funding to support community engagement during your project. 

More details on how to prepare your application, eligible activities, timelines and other information on the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program for Governments, Communities and Organizations is available in the Program Guide. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact program staff via AgriBusiness@gov.bc.ca or 1-888-221-7141. 

Stream 2: Indigenous entrepreneurs

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Eligibility

This stream of the program is open to any Indigenous entrepreneur resident in the Province of British Columbia. An entrepreneur is defined as an independent business owner, including a sole proprietor, limited company or partnership owned by, or where the majority of shares are held by, an individual or family members. Additionally, your business must be related to primary food production through agriculture or harvesting (e.g. non-timber forest products) and/or food and beverage processing. Applicants to Specialized Business Planning and Management (Step 2) must also have completed Business Plan Coaching and Development (Step 1) or an equivalent business planning process (i.e. have a basic, written business plan in place). Indigenous governments, communities and organizations should apply to the other stream of the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program.

 

Application forms and guides

 

How to apply

  1. Review the Program Guide and Application Forms for your stream to ensure you are eligible and that your project idea is a good fit for the program.
  2. Download Qualified Business Consultant list and identify a consultant to work with you to develop your project idea and application. 
  3. Submit your completed application to: AgriBusiness@gov.bc.ca

If at any time you have questions or would like to discuss your project idea, please contact B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program Staff through AgriBusiness@gov.bc.ca or 1-888-221-7141.

 

Program details

This two-step program is designed to support you to build your business management skills and knowledge through a coaching approach and with access to professional business and financial planning services from a B.C. Ministry of Agriculture pre-approved Qualified Business Consultant in the food and agriculture sector. Every entrepreneur’s specific needs and the needs of your business will be different, and how much project time is dedicated to coaching, business plan development or specialized business planning and management services will vary from project to project.

  • Business plan coaching and development (step 1) provides up to $3,000 of business development and coaching services from a Qualified Business Consultant to develop a business plan and/or enhance your existing business plan.
  • Specialized business planning and management (step 2) provides up to $5,000 of specialized business planning and coaching services from a Qualified Business Consultant to undertake financial analysis and specialized business planning and to strengthen business management knowledge and skills.

More details on how to prepare your application, eligible activities, timelines and other information on the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program for Indigenous Entrepreneurs is available in the Program Guide. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact program staff via AgriBusiness@gov.bc.ca or 1-888-221-7141.

CAP