Deadline: 29-Sep-22
The Northern Development Initiative Trust is accepting applications for the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund that provides support to Peace Region agricultural producers, industry associations and other eligible non-profits to support the region’s opportunity for agricultural production and agrifoods economic activity.
The fund is governed by a board of directors that broadly represent the agriculture industry in the Peace Region, administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust and overseen by BC Hydro.
The fund is managed as a sustainable endowment, which means only a portion of the total endowment’s funds will be made available for grant programs each year to ensure the fund is managed in perpetuity for the benefit of the Peace Region.
Features and Benefits
- Supports a broad range of organizations whose work directly benefits agriculture in the Peace Region
- Flexible project eligibility guidelines to reflect the complex and diverse needs of the agriculture sector
- Regional decision-making leverages local knowledge and the best information available to acknowledge the Peace Region’s agricultural strengths, needs, challenges and opportunities
- An efficient approval process for complete and well-documented applications.
Funding Information
- Events and Educational Initiatives
- Up to $5,000 grant to a maximum of 80% of the eligible project budget for local events.
- Up to $10,000 grant to a maximum of 80% of the eligible project budget for provincial events.
- Up to $15,000 grant to a maximum of 80% of the eligible project budget for national events.
- Farming Infrastructure
- Up to $50,000 grant to a maximum of 50% of the eligible project budget
- Key producer association applicants are not limited to $50,000.
- Please note that applicants cannot re-apply for funding until their previous project is complete, reporting submitted, and fully paid by Northern Development (unless the applicant is a key producer association, i.e. BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Grain Producers Association, etc.)
- This program has an annual limit of:
- $100,000 for water projects
- $100,000 for fencing projects
- Up to $50,000 grant to a maximum of 50% of the eligible project budget
Applicants are required to financially contribute 10% of the eligible project budget
- Research and Demonstration Initiatives
- Up to $100,000 grant to a maximum of 70% of the eligible project budget
- Producer groups, association and educational institutions are eligible to apply for multiyear funding up to three years.
- Up to $100,000 grant to a maximum of 70% of the eligible project budget
Please note that applicants cannot re-apply for funding until their previous project is complete, reporting submitted, and fully paid by Northern Development (unless the applicant is a key producer association, i.e. BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Grain Producers Association, etc.).
Eligible Projects
- Events and Educational Initiatives
- Eligible projects must have an educational component and must be held within the Peace Region.
- The types of project that may be eligible include, but are not limited to:
- National, provincial and local conventions, shows and exhibitions
- Local education, outreach, networking, and mentorship events.
- Farming Infrastructure
- The types of project that may be eligible include, but are not limited to:
- Capital investment for agriculture industry infrastructure
- Fixed and non-fixed (moveable) capital infrastructure
- Infrastructure and transportation improvements (such as cleaning and packing, warehousing and storage and distribution facilities to support the vegetable industry and new agricultural commodities).
- The types of project that may be eligible include, but are not limited to:
- Research and Demonstration Initiatives
- The types of project that may be eligible include, but are not limited to:
- New product and practice viability (studies, demonstrations to test new products and methods)
- Demonstration initiatives.
- The types of project that may be eligible include, but are not limited to:
Eligibility Criteria
- Corporations, cooperatives, individuals and/or partnerships active in agriculture in the Peace Region (including new agricultural industry entrants and young agricultural operators).
- Registered non-profit agricultural organizations in the Peace Region.
- Peace Region industry associations, agencies, boards and councils.
- Educational institutions undertaking research directly related to the Peace Region.
For more information, visit https://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/funding-programs/partner-programs/bchydro-agricultural-fund/