Finding affordable farmland is one of the biggest barriers for new and young farmers in B.C. Land prices are high, and long-term leases can be hard to secure without experience or connections. The BC Land Matching Program helps solve this problem by connecting farmers with landowners and supporting fair, workable farm agreements across the province.
The BC Land Matching Program (BCLMP) is a land access and business support program delivered under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). It is not a cash grant. Instead, it provides matching services, advisory support, and education to help farmers access land and start or grow a farm business.
The program supports:
The program is currently open and available across British Columbia.
The BC Land Matching Program does not define “young farmer” by age alone. Instead, it focuses on new and early-stage farm businesses that need land access.
You may be eligible if you are:
You do not need to already own land to apply. Many participants start with no land at all.
Landowners are also eligible if they:
The BC Land Matching Program focuses on services, not direct funding.
Key supports include:
Online land matching platform
Farmers and landowners create profiles to find compatible matches based on location, land size, and farming goals.
One-on-one advisory support
Program advisors help both parties explore options and move toward an agreement.
Farm agreement guidance
Support is available for:
Business and planning resources
Educational tools help new farmers understand land access, risk, and long-term planning.
There is no or minimal cost to participate, as services are funded through Sustainable CAP.
Yes. The program also supports independently matched farmers and landowners.
If you already found land but need help with:
You can still access advisory and agreement support through the BC Land Matching Program.
Because the BC Land Matching Program is not a grant, many new and young farmers use it alongside funding programs.
Common combinations include:
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter agriculture programs by province, farm type, and business stage in seconds.
See also:
Assuming it’s a cash grant
The BC Land Matching Program provides services and support, not direct funding.
Applying without a clear farm plan
You don’t need a full business plan, but you do need clear production goals and land needs.
Waiting until land becomes urgent
Matching and agreement development take time. Early engagement improves outcomes.
Overlooking agreement details
Poorly defined leases or licences can create long-term risk. Use the advisory support available.
Q: Is the BC Land Matching Program a grant?
No. It is a land access and business support program, not a funding or cash grant.
Q: Do I need to be incorporated to participate?
No. Many new farmers join before incorporation, as long as they are actively working toward a viable farm business.
Q: Is the program only for young farmers?
No. It supports new, expanding, and transitioning farmers, as well as landowners of all ages.
Q: What types of agreements does the program support?
The program supports leases, licences to occupy, and other farmland access agreements suited to both parties.
Q: Can I use the program if I already matched with a landowner?
Yes. Advisory and agreement support is available even if the match happened independently.
Securing land is often the first and hardest step in building a farm business in B.C. The BC Land Matching Program can help you find land and set up fair, workable agreements, especially if you are new or early-stage.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active agriculture and rural development programs across Canada—including funding that can support your next steps once land access is in place.
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.