8 Foundation effective in
fueling ag projects $1.9 million invested in new projects last year
by DAVID SCHMIDT ABBOTSFORD – Normally
when your net assets drop by about $6 million in one year, it is cause for great concern. Not so at the Investment
Agriculture Foundation of BC annual meeting in Abbotsford, April 12. Instead both retiring IAF chair Ken Bates and new executive director Michelle Koski patted themselves on the back for getting over $7.35 million out the door to fund projects supporting producers and processors. “Our core business has
never changed” in the 22 years since IAF was formed, Koski told members.
“The board adjudicated
over 35 applications for funding and the executive looked at well over 100 applications in 2017,” Bates reported.
That does not include the
many projects approved without having to go all the way up to the board. Koski noted IAF approved over 100 crop-related projects totalling more than $2.9 million in 2017. Most, but not all, projects received marketing support from either the BC Buy Local or BC Agrifood and Seafood Export program. IAF’s contributions ranged from as little as $3,000 to assist the BC Cranberry Growers Association in implementing
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and evaluating a cranberry IPM bulletin to as much as $88,0000 to allow the BC Fruit Growers’ Association Research and Development Orchard to engage in farm water management planning. IAF approved funding of
more than $1.9 million for almost 40 new projects supporting the livestock, poultry, aquaculture and value-added sectors. This included almost $300,000 for two projects to identify sites in the Thompson-Nicola and Kootenay regional districts which could be used for mass carcass disposals in the event of a catastrophic disease emergency. The largest individual project to receive funding was “Forage Stands: Starting Over Do’s and Don’ts.” Sponsored by the Peace River Forage Association, it was allocated just over $253,000. IAF also funds pan-
agricultural projects such as climate change adaptation and environmental initiatives, as well as agricultural area plans and agricultural watershed planning. “To date, we have funded
60 agricultural area plans,” Koski reported. Although IAF’s net assets
dropped by about $6 million, treasurer Bert Miles said there is still about $39 million in the treasury. That includes $10.2
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MAY 2018
Sea Cider received funding from the Investment Agriculture Foundation to develop a new pasteurization system to support the company’s marketing push into the northern US. RONDA PAYNE PHOTO
million already committed to various projects and $7.8 million due to other funds it administers. $23.9 million remains uncommitted, down from $25 million in 2016. During the year, IAF
commissioned the University of Northern British Columbia to do an independent review of the value of its funding. That review generated near
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unanimous support and praise for both the funding and IAF board and staff. Bates also announced that IAF will conduct a core review this year to develop new policies and procedures going forward. The review committee will include two IAF directors, three BC Agriculture Council directors as well as representatives of IAF’s two funders: the provincial and federal government. It will hold its first meeting in May. Bates will not be on the
committee as he reached his term limit at the annual meeting. He served as chair for the past five of his six years on the board, calling that time a highlight of his agricultural career. Kiren Sihota was selected to replace Bates as the representative for field vegetables, berries and mushrooms in the Lower Mainland. Also reaching his term limit was Dale Krahn. Angela Groothof has replaced him as the poultry rep on the IAF board. Koski noted the past year
was “exceptionally busy” as IAF closed out funding programs under Growing Forward 2, which ended March 31, and prepared to transition to the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership. BC will receive $115 million in CAP funding over the next five years and Koski said IAF is “looking forward to delivering programs through CAP.” However, no details on the new CAP funding have yet been released so it’s unknown how much, if any, of that money will flow through IAF.
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