Organic Industry Development - Implementation of Strategic Initiatives
TypeApplication DifficultyTime To Complete4 weeksProgram Budgetno cap
GRANTS AND FUNDING
MEDIUM
Highlights
This program is designed specifically for businesses like yours in the organic agriculture sector. It offers strategic assistance to help you grow and become more competitive. By applying, you can access funding to purchase specialized equipment, convert conventional farmland to certified organic, and implement strategic initiatives to capture new market opportunities.
Key Benefits:
- Increase Market Competitiveness: Funding to help you capture a larger share of the certified organic market, boosting your profitability.
- Specialized Equipment: Financial support to purchase equipment that improves efficiency and competitiveness, such as portable grain cleaners, flame weeders, and cover crop technology.
- Certified Land Conversion: Assistance to mitigate risks associated with converting conventional farmland to certified organic farmland.
Why Apply?
- Flexible Financing: The program offers various types of support tailored to your specific needs, making it more adaptable than other financing options.
- Enhanced Growth: Being approved can significantly enhance your business's capacity, growth, and competitiveness in the organic sector.
- Ease of Qualification: The program is designed with clear criteria, making it straightforward for eligible businesses to qualify and benefit.
Take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your business and secure a more competitive position in the organic market.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- This is a grant, so there are no repayment terms or interest rates.
Eligible Expenses:
- Technology to meet certified organic market requirements and improve efficiency.
- Modification of facilities to meet certified organic requirements.
- Activities to develop new organic products or serve new organic markets.
- Purchase of specialized equipment such as portable grain cleaners, flame weeders, and cover crop technology.
- Land in the first year of full organic conversion.
- Activities to increase the organic sector’s strategic capacity.
- Market development activities.
- Consulting fees, salaries, materials, and supplies.
- Administrative and overhead costs (up to 10% of eligible costs).
Ineligible Expenses:
- The funds cannot be used for expenses not directly related to the eligible activities listed above.
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with this grant program.
Qualifications
- Must be a Mi’kmaq First Nations or other Indigenous group, agricultural producer, small to medium-sized agri-business, agri-processor, or agriculture industry organization, club, or association.
- Must have current Organic Certification or have made an application to an Organic Certification Body and have participated in an organic certification inspection.
- Business must be operating in Prince Edward Island.
- Must provide applicant contact information.
- Must provide business or organization information, including CRA registration number.
- Must provide project start and end date.
- Must provide additional sources of project funding.
- Must specify recipient type (i.e., primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor).
- Must specify type of industry (i.e., dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains and oilseeds).
Must sign for declaration and consent to personal information.
Disqualifications:
- Businesses without current Organic Certification or without an application to an Organic Certification Body.
- Businesses not operating in Prince Edward Island.
Description
This program offers your business a chance to grow and become more competitive in the organic market. You can receive funding to help with various aspects of your operations.
You can use the money to:
- Buy specialized equipment like grain cleaners, flame weeders, and cover crop technology.
- Modify your facilities to meet certified organic standards.
- Develop new organic products or enter new organic markets.
The program also supports:
- Converting conventional farmland to certified organic farmland, helping you manage the risks involved.
- Strategic initiatives that enhance the overall capacity and market opportunities for the organic sector.
Funding conditions:
- The money you receive does not need to be paid back, making it a grant rather than a loan.
- The program covers a wide range of eligible expenses, ensuring you have the flexibility to use the funds where they are most needed.
This is a great opportunity to enhance your business's efficiency, market reach, and overall competitiveness in the organic agriculture sector.
Program Steps
Complete the Application Form:
- Fill out the Organic Industry Development Program General Application Form.
- Include your contact information, business details, and CRA registration number.
- Specify the project start and end dates.
- List any additional sources of project funding.
- Identify the recipient type (e.g., primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor).
- Indicate the type of industry (e.g., dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains, and oilseeds).
- Sign the declaration and consent to personal information.
- Provide demographic information (optional).
Prepare Documentation:
- Gather necessary documents such as:
- Proof of current Organic Certification or application to an Organic Certification Body.
- Business financial statements.
- Project plan detailing the intended use of funds.
- Quotes for any equipment or modifications if applicable.
- Partnership information, if relevant.
- Gather necessary documents such as:
Complete Appendices:
- Alongside the General Application Form, complete Appendix A and/or B depending on which sub-program(s) you are applying for.
- Appendices are located within the Organic Industry Development Program General Application Form.
Review Program Guidelines:
- Thoroughly review the Organic Industry Development Program Guidelines to ensure all information and documentation meet the program requirements.
Submit the Application:
- Submit the completed application form along with all required documentation to the PEI Department of Agriculture.
- Address for submission:
- 11 Kent Street, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown PE C1A 7N8
- Alternatively, email the application to [email protected].
Await Confirmation:
- After submission, wait for confirmation from the program administrators regarding the receipt and review of your application.
Respond to Additional Requests:
- Be prepared to provide any additional information or documentation if requested by the program review committee.
Approval and Funding:
- Upon approval, review the final terms and conditions of the funding.
- Once agreed, the funds will be disbursed to support your project.