Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission
2017
The Central Okanagan region is a major centre for agriculture in the province. The sector has important links to tourism, manufacturing and the quality of life for which the Central Okanagan and British Columbia are known. Over the last 30 years, agriculture throughout the region and the province has been challenged by factors that greatly impact farm operators’ abilities to derive income from their land including rising land and labour costs and international market forces.
According to the 2016 Census for Agriculture, the average value of farm land and buildings per acre in BC is $5,321 compared to a national average of $2,696. The 2016 Census also reports that BC has a proportion of small farms greater than double the national average with 41.6% farms earning less than $10K in receipts, and 32.5% of these farms selling directly to consumers. The number of small farms in the Central Okanagan is even higher with 46.8% of farms earning less than $10K and 62.9% earning less than $25K.
Small farm operators, particularly those selling direct to consumers, must be savvy business planners and marketers in addition to possessing the technical skills traditionally associated with farming.
The COEDC’s Agriculture Support program works with partners including the BC Ministry of Agriculture, local government’s Agricultural Advisory Commissions, industry associations and academia to provide business support and resources to local farm operators.
Key program elements include: Business Enhancement & Development, Agri-tourism program, Educational Seminars, Central Okanagan Economic Profile for Agriculture, Resources for Farm Operators in the Central Okanagan Guide, promotional content to increase the profile of the sector.