The BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund (Ag Fund) has announced $1 million in new grants to support two projects aimed at strengthening farming operations across the Peace region.

The North Pine Farmers Institute (NPFI) will receive $770,000, the largest single contribution in the fund’s history while Optimum Grain Inc. has been awarded $230,000 for its upcoming facility upgrades.

NPFI’s Terminal Bin Storage Expansion Project will add a new grain bin to its operation, improving efficiency and reliability for local producers. The expansion will help increase rail shipments from Fort St. John, boost storage and delivery capacity, and create 12 temporary construction jobs as well as one permanent position once the project is complete.

The initiative supports NPFI’s vision of growing a sustainable agricultural hub in the North Peace, building stronger markets for locally produced grains, oilseeds, and pulses while promoting environmentally responsible practices.

In the meantime, Buick Creek’s independently owned Optimum Grain Inc. retailer and seed cleaning plant is investing to expand its fertilizer facility, with upgrades including new equipment such as a larger blender and overhead bin system for faster loading and more precise blending of fertilizers.

The upgrades will increase service to producers in Buick Creek, Prespatou and Montney area, while providing increased access to organic and synthetic fertilizers. It is hoped the improvements will help producers maximize yields and manage their land more efficiently, at a time when agricultural inputs are increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain.

Since its inception in 2018, the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund, delivered by Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), has provided grants to support local producers and organizations, with the goal of strengthening the region’s agricultural sector and local food security.