Launch Your Berry Farm in Kelowna (Excluding Strawberries)
This page is your practical starting point for launching a berry farm (excluding strawberries) in Kelowna under NAICS 111334. It breaks down the seven essential requirements, outlines the permits you may need, and gives a clear sense of startup costs and the step-by-step timeline from planning to harvest.
You’ll learn exactly what to prepare: a seven-item requirements overview, the permits and licenses you’ll likely need (business license, land-use zoning, water rights, and safety certifications), typical startup costs (land or lease, trellis and irrigation systems, planting stock, packing, and labor), and a practical timeline to reach first harvest. The timeline varies by crop—often 1–2 years for raspberries and 2–3 years for blueberries.
Kelowna’s warm summers, abundant sunshine, and access to reliable farming infrastructure make this city a strong fit for berry farming. With careful planning, you can move from soil to selling berries to local customers and retailers faster than you might expect.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a berry farming business (excluding strawberries) in Kelowna is WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration. This is a legal obligation for most employers in British Columbia, and you cannot legally operate a farm or hire workers without it. Having active coverage protects your workers and keeps your operation compliant; without it you risk penalties and being unable to hire staff or sell to buyers that require safe-work standards.
Beyond that non-negotiable requirement, you’ll handle practical health and safety basics. Consider joining the On-Farm Food Safety Program if your buyers or markets require it, and maintain safe work practices for equipment, handling, and storage. Ensure you follow applicable local health and safety standards and keep records, training, and PPE accessible. These steps support worker safety, product quality, and farm reputation, and they fit everyday farming operations.
On the business side, you’ll need key registrations and tax numbers. A Business Number (BN) with the Canada Revenue Agency is needed for taxes and, if you hire staff, payroll. A municipal Business Licence is typically required to operate in Kelowna. If you plan to use a name other than your own, register a BC Business Name (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership). You’ll also need GST/HST Registration if your revenue crosses the threshold, and Payroll Deductions Registration if you have employees.
Next steps: check the City of Kelowna’s business licence requirements, set up your BN with the CRA, decide on your business name, and apply for GST/HST if needed. If you’ll hire help, arrange payroll deductions and ensure WorkSafeBC coverage. With these foundations in place, you can focus on growing your berry operation with confidence.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a berry (except strawberry) farming in Kelowna:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Kelowna. Apply to City of Kelowna for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of Kelowna Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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On-Farm Food Safety Program ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Many commodity sectors require on-farm food safety programs (e.g., CanadaGAP for produce, CQA for beef/dairy). Demonstrates compliance with food safety practices from farm to gate. On-Farm Food Safety Program. CFIA-recognized programs. CanadaGAP for produce. CQA for pork. Proaction for dairy. Contact CFIA: 1-800-442-2342.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your berry (except strawberry) farming:
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50% cost-share grant under the Sustainable CAP framework (2023–2028) with two streams: On-Farm Irrigation (up to $17,500 for purchases or $6,000 for upgrades per parcel, max $35,000/fiscal year) and On-Farm Water Supply (max $40,000 per applicant over the 2023–2028 program period). Continuous intake subject to available annual funding.
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A $25.7M program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership open to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations. AAFC contributes up to 70% of eligible costs (max $1M/year or $5M over 5 years; $100K/year or $500K for national fair projects). In-kind contributions capped at 15% of total. Priority intake closed May 30, 2025; …
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A non-refundable BC personal and corporate income tax credit equal to 25% of the fair market value of eligible agricultural products donated to qualifying registered charities in BC. Available for donations made between February 16, 2016 and December 31, 2026. The credit is claimed in addition to the regular charitable …
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The Agricultural Living Laboratories Initiative (now operating under the Agricultural Climate Solutions — Living Labs program) is a $185-million, 10-year federal initiative that brings together farmers, scientists, and sector stakeholders to develop and evaluate innovative technologies and practices in real-world farm conditions. Fourteen living labs across Canada were launched in …
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The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative (AYGI) was a wage subsidy program under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada designed to attract youth to environmentally focused careers in agriculture. It offered two streams: the Green Farms Stream (subsidizing on-farm youth internships up to $10,000 per intern) and the Green Internships Stream (subsidizing …
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