Overview
Farmland Advantage is not a program open to applications from any BC-based farm or ranch. Rather, the program targets high risk and high opportunity areas in BC based on a four-step process:
Types of Projects
All on-farm activities carried out under Farmland Advantage are agreed upon in advance by the landowner and the Farmland Advantage advisor. BMPs and restoration activities on Farmland Advantage sites include:
Site Selection
Overview
To target sites that align with Farmland Advantage’s priorities, a site selection process was created. This process is now complete, but is updated as required. Farmland Advantage targets high risk and high opportunity areas in BC based on the following process:
Step 1: Ecosystem Service Goals Were Set
Numerous ecosystems overlap with agricultural lands. However, riparian and grassland ecosystems have been and continue to be the primary ecosystems targeted by FLA due to the important ecosystem services they provide. Ecosystem Service Goals were set based on Farmland Advantage’s program scope and funder priorities. Ecosystem Service Goals include things like:
Step 2: Appropriate Mapping Layers Were Identified
To target areas and to achieve the ecosystem service goals, mapping layers with appropriate criteria were used. FLA established working groups of subject matter experts (SMEs) such as academics, scientists, and government agency representatives. These SMEs considered the ecosystem service goals and advised what mapping layers to include in the hot-spot GIS analysis.
Each mapping layer is different and has a corresponding data set attached to it. Mapping layers can include things such as:
Step 3: A GIS Hot Spot Analysis Has Been Completed
The FLA program uses the mapping layers recommended by the SMEs to conduct a GIS hot-spot analysis. A hot-spot analysis stacks mapping layers on top of one another to identify hot spots, which are where the greatest number of layers overlap. Hot-spots reveal locations which have high opportunities for positively influencing ecosystem health on agricultural land.
Want to learn more about GIS hot-spot mapping?
The full maps are available to view, scroll, and zoom in on, just like a google map! Check out Farmland Advantage’s StoryMap here:
The map above is an example of potential areas of interest for FLA sites targeted at grasslands restoration and conservation. Five mapping layers are used to identify the hot-spots on this map. The dark red “Very High” areas on the map have all five characteristics. The lighter red and orange colours have a combination of the layers, but not all five. Lastly, the yellow areas on the map are grassland habitats in the ALR but have no other characteristics. The green boxes indicate areas where FLA currently has project sites.
Step 4: Analysis Results Were Vetted by Subject Matter Experts
SMEs reviewed the GIS analysis results, ensuring the locations are the most appropriate to achieve the desired outcomes for that ecosystem using their local knowledge of the region. This stage also helped to prioritize hot-spots when the number of hot-spots exceeds the capacity of the FLA program during any given funding cycle.
Step 5: High Resolution Mapping of the Selected Hot Spots was Conducted
High resolution mapping allows specific properties to be highlighted and prioritized. Inclusion into the FLA program is based on specific location, size, current land use, and other factors.
Step 6: Farmers, Ranchers, and/or Landowners are Invited to Voluntarily Participate in FLA
Once a property in a targeted area is identified, FLA approaches the farmer, rancher, or landowner about willingness to participate. Participation is entirely voluntary.
To fully participate in Farmland Advantage, producers must:
Step 7: Updates to mapping are completed as needed
The FLA program continuously updates the data and information used to target regions and sites. Continuous data improvement ensures that high opportunity sites in new regions and sub-regions are being approached for participation as funding increases and the program expands.
Projects & News
From stream health to grasslands, learn about our projects and program news.