Events Local events Growers and producers invited information session on AgriStability
Growers and producers invited information session on AgriStability
| Events |
Attention Producers
The Business Risk Management Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands invites growers and producers to an information session on AgriStability.
The Williams Lake information session will be held at the Central Cariboo Forest District Office, at 540 Borland Street (Cariboo Room 2nd floor) on March 2, 2010 from 7:00pm until 9:00pm.
(Photo: Trevais Mellum, Customer Services Manager for AgriStability, will be in Williams Lake tomorrow, March 2 to present an important information session ability for growers and producers.)
At the session producers will learn:
· how AgriStability works;
· how the program can benefit a producer when an operation faces profit margin declines of more that 15%;
· details about important deadlines;
· how to fill out forms such as the Harmonized Form.
Please call us toll free at 1-877-343-2767 to reserve a seat or for more information on the program. For program details and other information session schedules/locations go to www.agf.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability
British Columbia takes over local delivery of agriculture programs
The Governments of Canada and British Columbia announced the AgriStability program will now be delivered provincially by local experts. The transfer will better tailor service to the needs of B.C. farmers and will bring 25 jobs to the province. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Steve Thomson, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Lands, made the announcement today in Winfield as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“Farmers in different parts of the country have different needs so we’re proud to partner with the Government of B.C. to give farmers the local service they deserve,” said Minister Ritz. “This move will bring 25 jobs to B.C. and will boost the local economy as we continue to move forward with our Economic Action Plan.”
“The Province’s goal is to ensure our producers get the services they need. By bringing administration of this program to B.C. we are able to draw on our staff’s understanding of specific challenges and conditions that are unique to our agriculture sector,” said Thomson. “The difference between commodity sectors combined with diverse landscapes and economic conditions across the country, make this shift to local business risk management a positive change.”
The British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (BCMAL) will deliver AgriStability for BC farmers on behalf of the federal and provincial governments starting with the 2009 program year. The federal administration will complete the processing of B.C. files for the 2008 and prior program years.
BCMAL program experts will be located in four regional offices across the province to serve producers in-person or by telephone. Federal and provincial governments are working together to ensure a smooth transfer with no disruption to producers. AgriStability helps farmers protect their farm income from large income declines, and is one of four programs in the suite of business risk management (BRM) programs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The transfer of AgriStability administration to British Columbia is another commitment met under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Backgrounder:
British Columbia Program Delivery -- January 1, 2010
The delivery of the AgriStability program is being transferred from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Starting January 1, 2010 the program will be administered by the province.
Producers please note some important changes.
British Columbia will now be responsible for:
- Processing 2009 interim AgriStability applications received after December 31, 2009 as well as applications for the 2009 program year and years forward. All interim applications submitted after December 31, 2009 should be sent to the AgriStability administration in British Columbia. AAFC is still responsible for applications prior to that date.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
March 31, 2010 - Deadline for 2009 AgriStability Interim Payment applications.
April 30, 2010 - Deadline to request a New Participant Package for the 2010 program year for AgriStability. Please call our toll free line to receive a package.
April 30, 2010 - Deadline to pay your 2010 fee without a penalty or to indicate you do not want to participate for the 2010 program year (or 30 days from the date on your 2010 Enrolment Notice).
REGIONAL OFFICES
Program Representatives serving clients will be located at four regional B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, AgriStability offices across the province.
- Abbotsford: Serving the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.
- Oliver: Serving the South Okanagan, Similkameen and Kootenay regions.
- Kelowna: Serving the Thompson Valley, Nicola Valley, the North Okanagan and the Cariboo.
- Fort St John: Serving all regions north of Prince George including Highway 16.
Regional Program Representatives will also be available to meet individually with producers. For more information visit our BC website www.agf.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability or call toll free 1.877.343.2767.
If you have any questions or if you want to want to enrol in the 2010 program you can contact a B.C. Regional Office by calling the toll free number above or go to our website: www.agf.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
