This blog addresses the following topics:

• Agriculture Grants 101 webinar
• Why agriculture is the best industry for grants
• 27 agriculture grants presented (in the same format so it’s easy to understand!)
• Top-secret grant-winning sauce
• Other Agriculture resources

2023 Update: if you’re looking for agriculture technology grants, be sure to check out my recent article: Agriculture Technology Grants.

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Do grants exist in agriculture?

Yes

Are there many?

Yes.

Where are they?

Further down this blog.

Agriculture is the All-You-Can-Eat buffet for grants. Food safety, staff, equipment – they are just full of grants.

If you want to know why, I recommend you register for a political science class.

If you just want to grow your agriculture business, then you should keep reading. This article is likely the best work thing to happen to you all day!

Weeks of research delivered on a silver platter for FREE!

As you will see below, I have laid out all the grants in the same format. You can link to further information as well.

Don’t forget at the end of this grant list, I leave you one of my best secret grant-winning tips!

Have fun!

Adapting Innovative Solutions in Agriculture

Value: Non-capital eligible expenses shared 50% grant: 50% applicant. Maximum $250,000 grant per applicant in a fiscal year, April-March. $500,000 per Applicant during the Program term.

Capital eligible expenses shared 20% grant: 80% applicant.

Description

The purpose of the Adapting Innovative Solutions in Agriculture Program is to support activities that take innovations that have proven to work outside of Alberta or in industries other than the agriculture industry, and adapt those Innovations so that they can be used under Alberta-specific conditions and/or in a specific Alberta Agriculture sector.

Eligible Applicants:

1. a) Active Producers (includes Hutterite colony, greenhouse, commercial hatchery, member of Indian Band or Métis Settlement);
2. b) non-profit agricultural groups registered under the Societies Act, such as Applied Research and Extension Associations or forage associations;
3. c) Industry Organizations (includes producer boards or commissions, processor organizations);
4. d) Indian Bands;
5. e) Métis Settlements;
6. f) Post-Secondary Institutions; and
7. g) Municipal Governments

Eligible Expenses:

• incremental wages for Project personnel directly related to the Project whose primary
• costs for fee-for-service providers/contributors
• cost of new inputs (animal, seed/crop) required for the Project
• responsibility is to ensure success of the Project. capital purchases of equipment and technology
• engineering costs for the Project
• rentals, leases of venues, technology, and equipment directly related to the Project

Contact: AF.AccelAdapt@gov.ab.ca or 310-3276 (FARM)

Deadline Date: Closed. Research activities will be managed through RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research).

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/ADAPT_INNOVATION

Value Added Products to Market (Large Projects)

Value: Grant request must be more than $50,000, to a maximum of $500,000 per applicant per fiscal year. (project term maximum is 2 fiscal years)

Description:

The purpose of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Value-Added Products to Markets – Large Projects Program is to support growth of Alberta’s value-added Food Processors and Bio-Industrial Processors. The Program targets Projects that enable growth of their businesses through increased sales related to the development of New Products, adoption of state-of-the-art processes, commercialization of products in New Markets, and expansion of their business in local, domestic and international markets.

Eligible Applicants:

• Bio-Industrial Processors
• Food Processors

Eligible activities include:

• Processing Capacity Expansion
• Product and Process Development
• Label and Package Development
• Market Development
• Export Preparation and Planning
• Product Demonstration

Deadline: Currently not Accepting Applications. Previous deadline – June 5, 2020.

Contact: af.ag-grants@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/MARKETS_LARGE

Products to Market | Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (Small Projects)

Value: a maximum of $50,000 per Applicant per Fiscal Year

Description:

The purpose of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Products to Markets Program is to support growth of Alberta’s agricultural industries by supporting the development of New Products and/or Processes, commercialization of products in New Markets, and expansion into local, domestic and international markets.

Eligibility Applicants:

• Bio-Industrial Processors
• Food Processors
• Processor Organizations
• Producer Organizations
• New Entrants
• Producers who are:

Eligible Activities:

Projects must include eligible activities and expenses that directly relate to the development of New Products/Processes and/or access to New Markets.

For funding purposes, the Program has the following two streams with separate budgets: Stream A – Activities 1 to 7; Stream B – Activity 8

Stream A Activities

1. Product and Process Development
2. Label and Package Development
3. Processing Capacity Expansion
4. Market Development
5. Export Preparation and Planning
6. Product Demonstration
7. Activities to Support Aggregation and Distribution of Food

Stream B Activity

8. AF-led Outbound Trade Initiatives

Deadline: Currently not Accepting Applications.

Contact: AF.AG-GRANTS@GOV.AB.CA

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/MARKETS_SMALL

Accelerating the Advancement of Agricultural Innovation

Value: Non-capital eligible expenses 50% grant / 50% applicant. Capital eligible expenses 20% grant / 80% applicant.

Maximum $250,000 grant per applicant in a fiscal year, April-March. Maximum of $500,000 per Applicant during the Program term.

Description

The purpose of the Accelerating the Advancement of Agricultural Innovation Program is to support activities that demonstrate the feasibility and potential for real world application of innovations that are new to Alberta or new to the agriculture sector. This program is one of two in the Science and Research theme within the Canadian Agricultural Partnership in Alberta.

Eligible applicants:

1. Active Producers (includes Hutterite colony, greenhouse, commercial hatchery, member of Indian Band or Métis Settlement);
2. Non-profit agricultural groups registered under the Societies Act, such as Applied Research and Extension Associations or forage associations;
3. Industry Organizations (includes producer boards or commissions, processor organizations);
4. Indian Bands and Métis Settlements;
5. Post-Secondary Institutions; and
6. Municipal Governments

Eligible Expenses:

1. Proof of concept activities that assess an innovation under specific conditions to evaluate its potential use for Alberta’s agriculture sectors;
2. Feasibility activities that assess the suitability of an innovation for Alberta’s agriculture sectors;
3. Prototype development to establish or validate performance characteristics of an innovation to function in Alberta;
4. Demonstration activities that will enable the showcasing of innovations (pre-commercial or commercial) with growth potential for use in Alberta agriculture; and
5. Pilot activities that scale up innovations with growth potential under Alberta specific conditions for use in Alberta agriculture sectors.

Deadline Date: Closed. Research activities will be managed through RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research) as we move into 2021.

Contact: AF.AccelAdapt@gov.ab.ca & 310-3276 (FARM)

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/ACCEL_INNOVATION

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Irrigation Efficiency

Value: Varies.

Description:

The purpose of this program is to increase water savings and reduce energy use in irrigated agriculture by assisting producers with the purchase of more efficient irrigation equipment and systems. This program assists producers with eligible costs incurred for the purchase and installation of a new low-pressure centre (LPCP) pivot irrigation system, a drip irrigation system or an upgrade of an existing irrigation system.

Eligible applicants include:

• operate as a producer in Alberta
• own an irrigated agricultural operation in Alberta
• have a Long-Term Irrigation Management Plan; and
• not have been previously been approved for payment from the program for the parcel described in the application.

Eligible Activities:

Applicants are only eligible to receive one payment per parcel of land under the program. For each parcel, applicants are eligible to receive either:

• 40% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of $5,000, for: equipment upgrades on the parcel; or an upgrade on the parcel from an existing irrigation system to a surface drip irrigation system; or
• $15,000 of the eligible costs for an upgrade on the parcel from a gravity, side-wheel or high-pressure centre pivot irrigation system to a new LPCP system or a subsurface drip irrigation system.

Eligible equipment upgrades include:

• new low-pressure centre pivot to replace a gravity, side-wheel or high-pressure centre pivot,
• retrofit of a high-pressure centre pivot to a low-pressure centre pivot, including booster pumps, nozzle packages and pump modifications,
• high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles and related equipment to upgrade an existing low-pressure centre pivot,
• variable-rate irrigation equipment (controllers and software),
• control panel upgrades, including base stations for telemetry,
• surface or subsurface drip irrigation to replace gravity, side-wheel or high pressure centre pivot.

Deadline: Accepting Applications.

Contact: Marie.oxley@gov.ab.ca | 310-FARM (3276)

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/IRR_EFFICIENCY

Agriculture and Food Sustainability Assurance Initiatives Program

Value: Varies

Description:
The Agriculture and Food Sustainability Assurance Initiatives Program will support industry associations and industry-led non-profit assurance initiatives to develop and enhance sustainability certification or assurance systems to demonstrate to the public the quality, safety and sustainability of products produced by producers and food companies.

Eligible Applicants:
Eligible applicants include:

• an industry-led non-profit assurance initiative;
• an agricultural group registered under the Societies Act, such as an applied research/forage association;
• a commodity group;
• an incorporated not-for-profit organization; or
• a post-secondary institution.

Eligible Expenses:
One or more of the following activities related to the development and/or enhancement of sustainability certification or assurance systems are eligible for funding and may be included in an Application:

• benchmarking studies including life cycle analyses, environmental foot-printing and gap analyses;
• short-term funding for operating costs related to pilot studies, audits;
• development of governance;
• administrative support directly associated with the Project;
• promotion of label and certification standard associated with the sustainability assurance initiative;
• support for industry organizations to develop sustainability assurance programs; and
• support communication efforts regarding consumer perceptions, verification standards, BMPs and performance metrics.

Deadline: All year round

Contact: Alberta Department of Agriculture and Forestry | 310-FARM (3276) | cap.publictrust@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/PUBLIC_ASSURANCE

Youth Agriculture Education

Value: The maximum funding that may be approved for Projects is $200,000 per Applicant in each Fiscal Year of the Program Term. The maximum Project Term is three Fiscal Years.

Description:
The program stream supports the development and delivery of effective agriculture education programs that are science-based, topic-driven, curricular-linked and help students use critical thinking to engage in meaningful and informed conversations about issues that affect public trust in agriculture.

Eligible Applicants:

• An agricultural group registered under the Societies Act
• A commodity group
• A university or college*
• A school district*
• An incorporated not-for-profit organization*, or
• A recognized (as determined by the Minister) form of rural municipal government in Alberta, including a Municipal District (including a County and Hamlet), a Special Area, a Specialized Municipality or an Improvement District.*

*Please note that any non-agriculture industry groups require collaboration with and support from the agriculture industry.

Eligible Expenses:
The following expenses which are incurred for eligible activities may be included in an Application:

a) guest speaker fees and travel within Alberta in accordance with the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Travel Expense Policy as posted on the Alberta Canadian Agricultural Partnership Website, as may be amended;

b) costs associated with student and teacher field trips within Alberta (busing, facility rentals, and substitute teacher costs);

c) costs for new, expanded or adapted agriculture education programs, and associated resource development costs;

d) salaries related to Project development/implementation; and e) any other expense related to the development and implementation of new, expanded or adapted agriculture education programs.

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact: Dean Dyck | 403-742-7958 | CAP.PublicTrust@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/YOUTH_EDUCATION

AgriInnovation Program | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:

Value: Maximum $10,000,000 up to 50% of the total eligible costs. Will not normally exceed $2,000,000 for commercial demonstration projects.

Description:

This program provides repayable contributions for projects that aim to accelerate the commercialization, adoption and/or demonstration of innovative products, technologies, processes or services that increase agri-sector competitiveness and sustainability.

Applicants may apply at any point during the life of the program, until available funds have been fully allocated. Once all funds have been allocated, a notice will be posted on this website.

Please apply early to ensure you have enough time to complete your project. Projects must be completed by March 31, 2023.

Eligible Applicants:

For-profit corporations and for-profit cooperatives.

Eligible Activities:

Commercialization of innovative agricultural, agri-food or agri-based products, technologies, processes or services where the innovations will be introduced to the market when the project is completed

Adoption of innovative agricultural, agri-food or agri-based products, technologies, processes or services where recent innovations are adopted and adapted to existing operations

Demonstration of innovative agricultural, agri-food or agri-based products, technologies, processes or services, where all necessary testing and piloting has been completed, and which involve one or more of the following:

• Demonstration to a targeted user in order to secure a key customer necessary to penetrate the market;
• Production of samples for market validation; or,
• Creation of a reference or showcase site for pre-commercial demonstration.

Eligible Expenses:

• Capital Expenditures
• Contracted services
• Salaries/Benefits
• Other direct project costs

Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until March 31, 2023.

Contact: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | 1-877-246-4682 | aafc.cap-aip.pca-pai.aac@canada.ca

Website: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/agriinnovate-program

Risk Mitigation | Agriculture and Forestry

Value: Maximum of $750,000 per project. 75% grant. 25% applicant.

Description:

The Plant Health Subject Area provides support for the development and knowledge transfer of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) controls to effectively address the risks of new/emerging and existing crop and/or bee pests under Alberta conditions.

Eligible Applicants:

The eligible applicants for the program include:

The following entities are eligible to apply under this Subject Area:

(a) Applied Research and Extension Associations;

(b) Post-Secondary Institutions;

(c) Fee for Service Providers;

(d) Industry Organizations;

(e) Municipalities;

(f) Indian Bands; and

(g) Metis Settlements

Eligible Activities:

The following activities may be included in an Application under this Subject Area:

(a) risk assessment for crop and/or bee pests in Alberta related to development of IPM controls;

(b) development, modification, adaptation, evaluation and verification of IPM controls for crop and/or bee pests under Alberta conditions;

(c) diagnostics and testing for identification of Alberta crop and/or bee pests, and/or for the verification of effectiveness related to IPM controls; and

(d) extension to transfer knowledge to intended beneficiaries on effective IPM control options.

Deadline: Currently not Accepting Applications.

Contact: Tanya Warren | 780-643-9486 | Tanya.Warren@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/RISK_MITIGATION

Risk Mitigation | Food Safety

Value: Maximum of $50,000 per project. Three within five years and two can be in the same year.

Description:

The Plant Health Subject Area provides support for the development and knowledge transfer of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) controls to effectively address the risks of new/emerging and existing crop and/or bee pests under Alberta conditions.

Eligible Applicants:

• Agri-Processor Applicants

Eligible Expenses:

• Food safety training of staff
• Pre-audit and/or gap assessment of a food safety system
• Certification audit of a food safety system, conducted by an accredited/approved auditing body;
• Development and implementation of a food safety system;
• Validation Studies (e.g. effectiveness of cleaning and sanitizing, water treatment, allergen controls, and food safety control measures outlined in HACCP Plans/CCPs);
• Facility modification including installation of equipment that supports the implementation of a food safety system and training by the vendor to operate the equipment;

Deadline: Opens and closes.

Contact: | CAP.foodsafety@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/download/AGUCMINT-4962882

Risk Mitigation | Animal Health Traceability

Value: $20,000 per Intermediary Site over the Program Term.

Description:

The Animal Health Traceability Subject Area supports livestock traceability technology adoption and evaluations, training/education activities, and other elements of livestock traceability in order to better anticipate, assess and manage risks and threats associated with animal health.

Eligible Applicants:

• Operator Applicants: i. adoption of livestock traceability technologies at an Intermediary Site
• Industry Organization: i. testing and evaluation of existing and new, emerging traceability;

technologies that benefit the livestock industry as a whole, or a segment of the livestock industry; and development and delivery of traceability training sessions (such as

seminars, conferences, and workshops), and/or development of traceability information materials.

Eligible Expenses:

• Operator Applicants: i. reasonable purchase costs of RFID Readers and RFID Software that are appropriate for the Applicant’s operation to be able to participate in a traceability system, as well as installation costs (if done by a licensed service provider)
• Industry Organization Applicants: manpower costs and professional fees

Contact: Myles Sosnowski Myles.Sosnowski@gov.ab.ca | 780-427-7708

Deadline Opens and closes

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/download/AGUCMINT-4962880

Emerging Opportunities

Value: Maximum grant of $1,000,000 per applicant per fiscal year, for a maximum of $2,000,000 per project.

Description:

The purpose of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Emerging Opportunities Program is to enable growth and diversification of Alberta’s value-added industries through development and commercialization of new or emerging opportunities in the Sector.

Eligible Applicants:

• Bio-Industrial
• Food Processors
• AgriBusinesses
• Industry Organizations

Eligible Expenses:

Subject to s. 3.3.1, the following activities may be included in an Application submitted by an Applicant that is an AgriBusiness or a Processor:

• Activities required to adopt, adapt, install, or evaluate new technology (equipment) or processes;
• Activities associated with training for the use of innovative technologies or processes;
• Activities associated with the monitoring, documentation, reporting and communications on the effectiveness of adopted new technologies or processes

Deadline: Currently not Accepting Applications.

Contact:  AF.AG-GRANTS@Gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/EMERGING_OPPORT

Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change – Producer

Value: $15,000 – $100,000

Description

The purpose of the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change – Producer program is to support producers in reducing negative impacts on the environment while enhancing sustainable production, managing climate change and increasing profitability in the agriculture sector.

Eligible Applicants:

To be eligible to apply to the Program, a person must be either:

1. a) an Active Producer operating in Alberta that has a current EFP certificate or letter of completion from an EFP technician; or is currently working on an EFP and is in a position to receive and EFP certificate or letter of completion from an EFP technician before the end of the project term; or
2. b) a Commercial Manure Applicator that has completed a manure management training event or course after January 1, 2019; or will complete a manure management training event or course before the end of the Project Term.

Please Note: A valid Alberta Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a prerequisite to this program. EFP has implemented a 10-year renewal starting 2018, therefore and EFP completed before 2008 will not be considered valid.

Eligible Expenses:

Agricultural Input and Waste Management

• Improved Pesticide Management (301)
• Improved Nutrient Management (302)
• Plastic Rollers and Compactors (303)
• Shelterbelts and Eco-Buffers (304)
• Agricultural Input and Waste Management Strategies

Innovation

• Innovative Solutions (401)

Contact: 310-FARM (3276) | CAP.ESandCCProgram@gov.ab.ca | www.cap.alberta.ca

Deadline: Currently not Accepting Applications.

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/STEW_PROD

Surveillance

Value: $750,000

Description: The purpose of the Surveillance Program is to close gaps in Surveillance in order to increase the early detection of existing and emerging livestock diseases, Crop Pests, Bee Pests, foodborne hazards, and other risks affecting plant, animal, and public health.

Applicants are encouraged to develop Projects in which the Applicant communicates their findings to the Alberta agriculture industry. For funding purposes, the Program has three areas of focus (plant health, animal health, and food safety), each with separate funding constraints.

Eligible Applicants:

• Agri-Processors,
• Industry Organizations,
• Municipalities,
  Post-Secondary Institutions,
• Applied Research Associations,
• Fee-For-Service Providers,
• First Nations and Métis Settlements.

Eligible Expenses:

• Incremental costs for labour or salaried services and related employment and/or consultant expenses to develop, deliver, adapt, implement, promote and communicate Surveillance activities;
• Costs of supplies/materials and services (e.g. laboratory testing) to design, develop, implement, deliver and promote Surveillance activities, and to communicate Surveillance activity findings;
• Costs to develop and deliver surveys, interviews, workshops, training seminars, demonstrations, webinars, e-resources, and visual aids, including costs such as procurement, advertising, print materials, website and media/app development;
• Costs to perform feasibility and risk/gap assessment activities related to the adoption of Surveillance activities;
• Reasonable travel expenses for travel within Alberta directly related to the Project, as set out in the Alberta Canadian Agricultural Partnership Travel Expense Policy posted on the Alberta Canadian Agricultural Partnership website, as may be amended; f) costs for rental or lease of facilities;
• Costs for computer and computer software to undertake the Project, up to a maximum of $3,000 per Project;
• Reasonable costs for specialized lab equipment and software required for such equipment to undertake the Project;
• For all Applicants other than Fee for Service Provider Applicants, In-Kind Contributions up to a maximum of 25% of the total Eligible Expenses.

Contact: Plant Health – Tanya Warren | Tanya.Warren@gov.ab.ca | 780-643-9486; Animal Health – Drew Hiltz | Drew.Hiltz@gov.ab.ca | 780-427-8228; Food Safety | CAP.foodsafety@gov.ab.ca

Deadline: Currently not Accepting Applications. Previous deadline – May 29, 2020.

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/SURVEILLANCE

Alberta Innovates – Alberta Bio Futures

Value: Varies

Description:

Our bio sector is working to develop new sustainability practices, new natural products for world markets, and new economic opportunities and investment in Alberta.

We are embracing and supporting emerging technologies and the creation of new ideas for the growing global bioeconomy. We’re also delivering on the potential of agriculture and forestry in areas such as: value-chain sustainability, advancing the biorefinery, quality food for health, industry challenges, emerging opportunities, and prion and prion-like protein misfolding diseases.

Eligible Activities:

To expand sustainable production, Alberta Innovates has two main priorities:

1. Market-Driven Traits and Products: Research investments focus on increasing the global competitiveness of Alberta’s agriculture and forest sectors through: reduced cost of production, value addition (e.g. traits and attributes) and the development of new products (e.g. water and nutrient use efficiency, high value products).
2. Agriculture and Forest Sustainability: We answer research questions to optimize the responsible use of Alberta’s agricultural and forested landscapes, addressing Alberta’s economic, social and ecological goals (e.g. control of mountain pine beetle).

Read more about this sector’s various programs and initiatives:

• Sustainable Agriculture and Forest Production
• Smart Agriculture and Food Innovation
• Ecosystems Services and Biodiversity    
• Alberta Prion Research Institute 
• Bioindustrial Innovation 
• Biological Greenhouse Gas Management

Deadline: Opens and closes see link below

Contact: Rebecca Bruce – Bioindustrial Innovation Development Partner |  780-306-3084 |  Rebecca.Bruce@albertainnovates.ca

Website: https://albertainnovates.ca/programs/alberta-bio-future/

AgriAssurance – Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Component | Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

Value: 50% of eligible expenses up to $500,000.

Description:

A five-year, up to $74 million federal initiative to foster public trust by helping industry develop and adopt systems, standards and tools that enable them to make credible, meaningful and verifiable claims about the health and safety of Canadian agricultural and agri-food products, and the manner in which they are produced. The AgriAssurance Program: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) component aims to support for-profit SMEs to help implement assurance projects that address market and regulatory requirements.

Eligible Applicants:

For-profit organizations operating in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, including fish and seafood, which may include:

• Businesses and corporations
• Co-operatives
• Indigenous groups

Small and medium-sized enterprises must:

• Be directly involved in growing harvesting, processing or otherwise transforming or consolidating their products
• Have up to 250 employees
• Have annual revenues below $50 million
• Be independently incorporated
• Have completed market research
• Be export and market ready

Eligible Activities:

• Contracting professional services to obtain third-party certification for agricultural and agri-food products required to access a specific export opportunity
• Hiring individuals dedicated to making arrangements for such certification
• Travelling to enable the certification

Deadline: September 30, 2022, or until funding has been fully committed or until otherwise announced by the program. The program ends March 31, 2023.

Contact: AgriAssurance Program | 1-877-246-4682 | aafc.assurance.aac@canada.ca

Website: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/agriassurance-small-and-medium-sized-enterprise-component

AgriScience Program – Projects | Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (AAFC):

Value: $5,000,000 (not loan not grant)

• Not-for-profit organizations: a maximum of 70% up to $5 million over 5 years
• For-profit organizations: a maximum of 50% up to $5 million over 5 years

Description:

The program aims to accelerate the pace of innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and cutting-edge research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians. The AgriScience Projects (Projects) component aims to support specific shorter-term research activities to help industry overcome challenges and address fiscal barriers experienced by small and emerging sectors. They also seek to mitigate high risk opportunities that have the potential to yield significant returns.

Eligible Applicants:

For-profit organizations, which may include:

• Businesses and/or corporations
• Co-operatives
• Indigenous groups

Not-for-profit organizations, which may include:

• Associations
• Corporations
• Co-operatives
• Indigenous groups

Deadline: Ongoing. Program ends March 31, 2023.

Contact: AgriScience Program | 1-877-246-4682 | aip-pai@agr.gc.ca

Website: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/agriscience-program-projects

AgriMarketing Program | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Value: The maximum AAFC contribution for a project will normally not exceed $2.5 million per year up to a maximum of $10 million over five years.

Description:

The AgriMarketing Program aims to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada’s reputation for high quality and safe food.

Eligible Applicants:

A non-profit corporation that is a legal entity separate from its members and directors formed for purposes other than generating a profit to be distributed to its members, directors or officers. While, a non-profit corporation can earn a profit, the profit must be used to further the goals of the corporation rather than to pay dividends to its membership.

The following non-profit corporation organization types are eligible under this program:

• associations in Canada operating on a national industry-wide basis in the agriculture, agri-food, agri-based products sector, including fish and seafood
• associations in Canada operating on a regional basis in the agriculture, agri-food, agri-based products sector, including fish and seafood, that represent significant Canadian production within that sector and can demonstrate their ability to deliver a project from a national perspective

Eligible Costs:

Eligible project costs will normally be shared between AAFC and you as follows:

• a maximum of 50% AAFC and a minimum of 50% Applicant

A more favourable cost share of a maximum of 70% AAFC and a minimum of 30% Applicant may be available for activities in new and emerging markets. The questionnaire on diversification in the “attachments” section of the project information tab of the application form will assist in assessing if the applicant is diversifying into new and emerging markets.

Deadline: Applications will be accepted from February 13, 2018 until September 30, 2022, or until funding has been fully committed or until otherwise announced by the program. The program ends March 31, 2023.

Contact: AgriMarketing Program | 1-877-246-4682 | aafc.agrimarketingagri-marketing.aac@agr.gc.ca

Website: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/agrimarketing-program

Water Program

Value: The maximum grant an applicant can receive from the on-farm water supply stream is $25,000 ($5,000 for standard incentive projects and $20,000 for special incentive projects) for the period April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2023.

Description:

The Water Program directly supports the enhancement of agricultural water management for continued growth and long-term success of the agriculture industry. The program assists primary producers in enhancing agricultural water management for continued growth and long-term success of the agriculture industry. There are two streams under the Water Program: 1) on-farm irrigation projects, and 2) on-farm water supply projects. Applications will be divided into the two streams based on the activities included in the Application.

Intake continuous when program accepting applications July 5, 2021

Eligible Applicants:

To be eligible for on-farm irrigation projects under the Program, an applicant must be a primary producer that:

• is responsible for input costs or agricultural crops or livestock producing at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually, but does not include a landlord whose only interest in the crop or livestock is that of ownership of the land;
• owns an irrigated agricultural operation in Alberta; and
• has not been previously approved for payment from the former CAP Irrigation Efficiency Program and current Water Program for the Parcel described in the Application.

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact: Water Program | 310-FARM (3276) | AF.IrrigationEfficiency@gov.ab.ca or FarmWaterSupply@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/FARM_WATER

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)

Value: Varies

Description:

RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research) works with our partners to accelerate the impact of agriculture research in Alberta. Our priorities meet producers’ needs. RDAR is committed to directing strategic investments in research and innovation that can maximize benefits and increase profitability. By collaborating with producers and researchers, we tap into existing talent and fund ideas generated by innovators to push the boundaries of Alberta’s agriculture potential. Our activities are funded through the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, a federal-provincial investment in strategic programs and initiatives for the agriculture sector and tasked with directing the Government of Alberta’s $37 million annual commitment to agriculture research.

RDAR funds research that supports:

• Enhanced productivity, profitability and competitiveness
• Sustainable and responsible agricultural production
• Market demands; food safety, quality, value-added products and diversification
• Extension and knowledge transfer

Current funding opportunities:

Agricultural Climate Solutions On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

OFCAF is an initiative to help farmers tackle climate change. The program is delivered with funding from the  Agricultural Climate Solutions initiative (ACS), which falls under the $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund, a program managed by Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Deadline: Ongoing.

Contact: RDAR | hello@rdar.ca

Website: https://rdar.ca/

Youth Employment and Skills Program | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC):

Value: offers support for 50% of wages to a maximum of $14,000.

Description:

The Youth Employment and Skills Program provides a wage subsidy to employers who hire youth for agricultural jobs. The program offers support for 50% of wages to a maximum of $14,000.

If approved, the following employers are eligible to receive 80% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum of $14,000:

• Indigenous individuals or organizations
• Employers who hire a youth facing barriers

Eligible employers:
Eligible employers are agricultural related organizations such as farmers, food processors and agricultural related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who can offer opportunities that will give youth agriculture career-related work experiences and skills in Canada.

Eligible employees:
Eligible employers are responsible for hiring and verifying the eligibility of participants for the Youth Employment and Skills Program activities. Only one (1) employee may be assigned to each project. The employee may be hired for all kinds of employment statuses (part-time, full-time, casual, seasonal, etc.). To qualify, the employee must be:

• between the ages of 15 and 30 inclusive when the project started
• unemployed or underemployed. Underemployed includes:
  • students or individuals who are currently employed and are taking on significantly greater responsibilities and complexity in their employment duties or more hours of work during the project.
  • employees who are occupying a position for which they are overqualified, as per their education.
• a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or a refugee under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• not in receipt of Employment Insurance during the work term

Deadline: Employers could apply between February 28, 2022 and March 21, 2022 for their project to be considered.

Contact: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | 1-866-452-5558 | aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca

Website: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-programs-and-services/youth-employment-and-skills-program

Career Focus | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:

Value: 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum of $14,000 in matching funds.

Description:

The Career Focus Program will help fund 65 agricultural internships for Canadian graduates. Each internship will last at least four months to a maximum of 12 months. They will be long enough to provide meaningful experience to the employee. The Career Focus Program within AAFC will provide $864,000 each year to projects that hire recent graduates in agriculture, agri-food science, and veterinary medicine. Please note that this program is not a summer employment program.

Eligibility:

Employers:

Eligible employers are organizations who can offer projects that will give employees:

• Agriculture career-related work experiences in Canada
• Skills acquisition through mentoring and coaching

These organizations may be from:

• Industry
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Provincial and municipal governments
• Associations
• Boards
• Councils
• Universities

Employees:

• Between the ages of 15 and 30
• Unemployed or under-employed
• Have graduated in the last three calendar years from:
  • An agriculture-related program in a university, college, or CEGEP or
  • A provincial program focusing on biological, agricultural and veterinary science or applied technology
• Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Eligible Expenses:

Salaries and social benefits

Deadline: Closed. Learn more about other funding opportunities

Contact: Career Focus | 1-866-452-5558 | AAFC.Career.focus-Objectif.carriere.AAC@agr.gc.ca

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/career-focus.html

Career Focus Green Jobs | BioTalent Canada:

Value: 50% to a maximum of $13,500

Description:

The Career Focus Green Jobs program is a wage subsidy program for employment opportunities that have a green mandate or any job with an employer that has an environmental focus. It helps knock down that cost barrier by covering the cost of a new graduate’s salary. Employers can bring on an eager, educated young worker for a special project – and at the end of the placement end up with a skilled candidate already oriented to their company.

Eligibility:

Employer:

To qualify as a green job either the job needs to have a green mandate or the employer needs to have an environmental focus. Green jobs are employment opportunities that meet the following criteria:

• Help reduce the consumption of energy and raw materials
• Limit greenhouse gas emissions
• Minimize waste and pollution
• Protect and restore ecosystems

Green jobs can also include employment opportunities in:

• Non-profit environmental organizations
• Solar and wind technology companies
• Environmental science centers
• Watershed and water resource agencies
• Farms and farming co-ops
• Conservation organizations
• Museums and educational institutions
• Waste management companies
• Information technology companies

Employee:

• Be a graduate from a post-secondary institution within the last three years
• Be between the ages of 15-30 (inclusive at the start of the placement)
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold refugee status
• Be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations
• Not be in receipt of Employment Insurance at the start of your placement

Deadline: April 2005 – March 2019.

Contact: BioTalent Canada | careerfocus@biotalent.ca

Website: https://www.biotalent.ca/en/career-focus-green-jobs

Career Focus Program | BioTalent Canada:

Value: Maximum $20,000 towards salary.

Description:

For many new graduates, landing a job without extensive work experience is a challenge. Yet without that first biotechnology position, the necessary experience will never come. BioTalent Canada’s Career Focus Program paves the way to employment by helping offset the costs of orientation, integration and skills development. Not only does the program help young workers develop their skills and abilities in general, but it also forges strong connections between them and the companies that take them on. Nearly every Career Focus participant who completed the program is kept on – hired long term.

The BioTalent Canada Career Focus Program gives employers the freedom to:

• Meet their staffing needs with less financial risk
• Grow their business
• Access a pool of eager-to-learn new workers
• Develop new talent within their companies

The BioTalent Canada Career Focus Program helps knock down that cost barrier by subsidizing the salaries of new grads. Employers can bring on an eager, educated young worker for a special project – and at the end of the placement end up with a skilled candidate already oriented to their company.

Eligibility:

Employee:

• Be a graduate from a post-secondary institution within the last three years
• Be between the ages of 15-30, inclusively
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold refugee status
• Be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation
• Not be in receipt of Employment Insurance at the start of your placement
• Have an offer for potential employment

Employer:

Any Canadian biotechnology company in the private sector needing to fill any position within the company can apply. Eligible placements may involve research, biotechnology promotion and education, or some other combination of business and science skills—and may cover the full spectrum of jobs from manufacturing and production to product commercialization, quality control/assurance, sales, regulatory affairs, biosafety and more.

Deadline: August 2012 to March 2016.

Contact: BioTalent Canada | careerfocus@biotalent.ca

Website: https://www.biotalent.ca/projects/career-focus/

Green Jobs in Natural Resources | National Research Council Canada (NRC):

Value: The program will cost-share a portion of the salary costs of a youth candidate, with the company responsible for fringe benefits and overhead costs.

Description:

Youth play an important role in shaping the future of Canada’s economy. The Science and Technology (S&T) Internship Program – Green Jobs provides funding to eligible employers across Canada to hire and mentor youth in the natural resources sector, including in energy, forestry, mining, earth science, and clean technology. The S&T Internship Program has been part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy since 1997.NRCan supports youth and employers by working with third-party organizations to:

• Kick-start careers in the energy, forestry, mining, earth sciences, and clean technology sectors
• Create quality and inclusive work experiences that improve environmental outcomes in the natural resources sector
• Build a skilled and diverse workforce
• Promote equity, diversity and inclusion by targeting 60% participation from employment equity groups

Eligibility:

NRCan’s Science & Technology Internship Program—Green Jobs supports youth between the ages of 15 and 30 (inclusive) gain work experience and skills in the natural resources sector through paid internships and training opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and other related fields to promote positive environmental outcomes.

Eligibility requirements for employers:

• Organizations in the natural resources sector who can offer youth full-time (min. 30 hours/week, some exceptions may apply) work experience for up-to-12 months
• Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations and groups
• Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies

Eligibility requirements for participants:

• Must be between 15 and 30 years of age
• Eligible to work in Canada
• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status
• Internships are for full-time employment and require participants to be available at least 30 hours per week

Visit the following websites to learn more about each delivery organization and to submit an application. Each organization will have their own application process.

• Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
• United Nations Association in Canada
• Electricity Human Resources Canada
• Clean Foundation
• Colleges and Institutes Canada
• Project Learning Tree
• Mining Industry Human Resources Council
• Indigenous Clean Energy
• First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute

Deadline: Application intake for 2022-23 is open.

Contact: Science and Technology Internship Program | nrcan.stip-psst.rncan@canada.ca

Website: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/climate-change/canadas-green-future/green-jobs/87

Summer Farm Employment Program | Alberta Agriculture and Forestry:

Value: $500 per month. Program runs from July 1 to August 31.

Description:

The Summer Farm Employment Program is funded and administered by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Employees and employers must apply together for the program, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry does not do any matching. The primary objective is to provide opportunities for full-time farm work experience for young people. Employers must be full-time farmers; employees must between 15 and 24 years of age and cannot be a direct relative of the employer. The program runs from July 1 to August 31.

Eligibility:

Employer:

• Employers must own or rent a farming operation, located in Alberta; must produce farm commodities valued at a minimum of $25,000 annually; and must be available to supervise their employee full-time
• Employers may only appoint another person to supervise the employee if that person will be working with the employee for at least 60% of the time. All program information will then be sent to the supervisor listed. An eligible supervisor must be at least 18 years old, cannot be a direct relative of the employee, and must be directly involved in the employer’s farming operation on a daily basis so that appropriate training and direction regarding farm tasks and safety concerns may be given
• Employers will be limited to one employee
• Employers may not exchange (swap) employees or “job share” on this program (employers may not assign, subcontract, or transfer their employee to another employer or organization)
• Employers must not receive other provincial or federal funding for hiring the employee

Employee:

• Employees must be Alberta residents; legally entitled to work in Canada; and between 16 and 24 years of age by July 1
• Employees must not be a direct relative of the employer or related to any person directly involved in the farming operation (e.g. another employee or shareholder). “Direct relative” includes child, step-child, foster child, brother, sister and son-or-daughter-in-law. Direct relative also includes a niece, nephew or grandchild permanently residing on the employer’s farm
• Employees must be unemployed. Existing part-time employees are eligible if total hours worked over the previous three months averaged less than 20 per week
• Employees working for the employer full-time prior to July 1 are not eligible under the program
• Employees must not be working full-time anywhere else or attending school while participating in this program

Deadline: Opens and closes see link below.

Contact: 310-FARM (3276)

Website: https://gh-a.com/uploads/The_2019_Summer_Farm_Employment_Program_is_now_open_and_accepting_Applications.pdf

Farm Technology Program

Value: The maximum grant an applicant can receive from the program is $50,000 over the Program Term (April 2021 to March 2023).

Description:

The Farm Technology Program supports the adoption of innovative technology that minimizes agricultural waste, optimizes farm efficiency, and encourages the adoption of best management practices in farm security. This program provides financial incentives on new technologies that are commercially available and already demonstrated under Alberta conditions. To be eligible for funding, the program targets technology that is proven, but not yet widely adopted within an applicant’s farm type.

Eligibility:
To be eligible to apply to this Program, the applicant must be a Primary Producer:

• operating in Alberta that is responsible for input costs or agricultural crops or livestock producing at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually.
• This does not include a landlord whose only interest in the crop or livestock is ownership of the land, and has either a current Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Certificate or letter of completion from an EFP technician; or is currently working on an EFP and is in a position to receive an EFP certificate or letter of completion from an EFP technician before the end of the Project Term.

Eligible Expenses:
Examples of eligible expenses are electronic sensors, data collection and storage units, livestock ID readers, GPS equipment trackers, and remote monitors.

Deadline: Intake starts June 18, 2021

Contact: Government of Alberta- CAP: Farm Technology Program│310-FARM (3276) │ cap.farmtech@gov.ab.ca

Website: https://cap.alberta.ca/CAP/program/PRGM_NAME_3

Alberta Greenhouse Rebate Program (AGRP) | Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

The Alberta Greenhouse Rebate Program (AGRP) is a discretionary non-entitlement program to facilitate the transition to greater efficiencies in the Alberta greenhouse industry.

This program provides eligible greenhouse operators with a grant equal to 80% of the carbon levy paid on their purchase of eligible natural gas and propane for crop production related heating within their greenhouses.

Website: https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/general/progserv.nsf/all/pgmsrv460/$FILE/agrp11406-pov.pdf

TOP-SECRET GRANT-WINNING SAUCE

The grant agency is looking for great businesses to “partner” (i.e. give you money) with. These grant agencies want to help you, and it’s really important that you give the grant agency a win. You want to call them, be respectful and organized, and then make your case. Here is a valuable resource to read before you call. You will likely find them to be really helpful.

What you’re trying to do here is give them (specifically the person you are talking to) a win. They will help you (not write for you) get the grant. In my experience, some won’t fully understand your work load. Some staff seem to think you have time to write applications by yourself (some of you do), but most of you don’t (sales vs. grants?). I would just do what they say, and you can get your staff or a grant writer to do the background work. I know some companies hire lobbyists to actually attend the meetings with you. That is another option for you to consider. Make sure you know the rules if you get into that game.

AGRICULTURE GRANT RESOURCES

Alberta Beef Producers: https://www.albertabeef.org/

Alberta Canola Producers Commission: https://albertacanola.com/

Alberta Cattlemen’s Penning & Sorting Association: http://altacattlepenning.com/

Alberta Chicken Producers: https://www.chicken.ab.ca/

Alberta Elk Commission: https://www.albertaelk.com/

Alberta Food Processor Association: https://www.afpa.com/

Alberta Lamb Producers: https://www.ablamb.ca/

Alberta Pork Producers: https://www.albertapork.com/

Alberta Water Portal Society: https://albertawater.com/virtualwaterflows/agriculture-in-alberta

Bison Producers of Alberta: https://www.bisoncentre.com/

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association: http://www.cattle.ca/

Other Financing

CALL TO ACTION

David Kincade

davidk@albertabusinessgrants.ca

780-297-6177

Get a copy of the NEW Guide for Winning Government Grants: https://albertabusinessgrants.ca/100-grant-rules/