Launch Your Burnaby Hay Farming Venture: A Practical Starter Guide
This page gives you a practical, step‑by‑step roadmap to starting a hay farming business in Burnaby under NAICS 111940. You’ll get a clear overview of the six essential requirements, the permits you’ll need, typical startup costs, and a realistic timeline to get your first harvest off the field—plus practical checklists and common pitfalls to avoid.
What you’ll learn: a practical plan covering the six core requirements—land use and zoning considerations, necessary farm permits, business registration, water use and waste management, equipment and infrastructure needs, and insurance or licensing. We break down typical costs, from site prep to fencing and storage, and map out a realistic timeline from planning to planting and your first harvest, with tips to move approvals faster.
Burnaby’s mix of accessible markets, strong supplier networks, and a supportive local food economy makes hay farming in this city a practical choice. Ready to dive in? This guide helps you move forward with confidence.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a hay farming business in Burnaby is the Business Number (BN) Registration. This is a federal registration you need to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency for taxes, payroll, and other programs, and you cannot legally run your farm without it. Once you have your BN, use it on all tax forms, invoices, and any payroll paperwork. This requirement is non-negotiable—treat it as the foundation for everything else you’ll do.
For day-to-day operations, you’ll want to focus on health, safety, and permits. If you have or plan to hire workers, WorkSafeBC coverage and registration are mandatory to protect your team and meet provincial rules. You may also pursue an On-Farm Food Safety Program if your hay enters markets that require safety standards. If you bring on staff, you’ll likely need Payroll Deductions Registration to handle tax withholdings and remittances. These items help keep your operation compliant, safe, and reputable with buyers and partners.
On the registration and tax front, you’ll need BC Business Name Registration if you operate under a name different from your own legal name, and GST/HST Registration if you exceed the small-supplier threshold or choose to register to claim input tax credits. The BN you’ve already obtained will tie these registrations together, so think of it as the backbone of your business identity with government programs.
You’re already taking a great first step by planning carefully. Next, set up your BN in CRA, decide whether you’ll use a trade name and register it with BC, and check GST/HST thresholds. Then map out your safety and payroll needs (WorkSafeBC, On-Farm Food Safety, payroll deductions as needed). If you’d like, I can help you connect with the right local resources or draft a simple checklist to keep you on track. You’ve got this—your Burnaby hay farm can grow smoothly with these foundational steps.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a hay farming in Burnaby:
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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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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 hay 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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