Producers in Alberta can access various funding opportunities to support sustainable and innovative agricultural practices. Below are key programs, their funding amounts, eligible activities, and how funds are received.
Producers and retailers/industry can reach out if support is needed with these programs.
1. Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP)
The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) in Alberta supports producers in implementing Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that enhance environmental resiliency, focusing on increased carbon sequestration and climate resilience. Below are the funding details, eligible activities, and how funds are disbursed:
Funding:
- Maximum Funding:
- Up to $150,000 for active primary producers
- Up to $300,000 for grazing associations, community pastures, and approved Indigenous applicants
- Minimum Funding: $2,000
Contribution:
- Funding is calculated to cover most implementation costs and may include opportunity costs. An impact adjustment payment, based on project size, carbon sequestration improvement, number of livestock impacted, and water quality and biodiversity enhancement, may also be added.
Funding Disbursement:
- Approved grants are paid in two installments:
- 50% after execution of the Land Use Agreement
- The remaining 50% at the end of the three-year term
Eligible Activities:
Funding is available under the following categories:
- Pasture Management
- Riparian Area Management: Fencing and managing riparian areas to limit livestock access to sensitive zones.
- Rotational Grazing: Implementing rotational grazing systems on tame pastures or native rangelands.
- Adding Legumes to Forage Stands: Incorporating legumes into existing forage to improve soil health and forage quality.
- Cropland Conversion
- Annual Cropland to Native Forages: Converting annual cropland to native forage species.
- Annual Cropland to Tame Forages: Converting annual cropland to tame forage species.
- Strips/Grass Waterways/Salinity: Establishing grassed strips or waterways to manage salinity and erosion.
- Intercropping: Practicing intercropping to enhance biodiversity and soil health.
- Tree Establishment
- Shelterbelts: Planting rows of trees or shrubs to protect against wind and erosion.
- Eco-buffers: Establishing diverse, multi-species tree and shrub plantings.
- Pollinator Strips: Creating strips of vegetation to support pollinators.
- Wetland
- Wetland Restoration: Restoring previously drained or altered wetlands.
- Construction of New Wetlands:
2. On-Farm Efficiency Program (OFEP)
The On-Farm Efficiency Program (OFEP) in Alberta supports producers in adopting innovative technologies to enhance farm efficiency and sustainability. Below is an overview of the program, including funding details, eligible activities, and how funds are disbursed:
Funding:
- Up to $150,000 per applicant over the program's duration (2024-2028).
- Funding is organized into four streams, each with specific maximums:
- Smart Farm Technology: Up to $50,000
- Energy Efficiency: Up to $50,000
- Farm Security: Up to $2,000
- Efficient Grain Handling: Up to $100,000
Contribution:
- Cost-share basis: 50% grant, 50% applicant
Funding Disbursement:
- Reimbursement after project completion and verification.
Eligible Activities:
The program categorizes eligible items into four streams:
- Smart Farm Technology
- Agronomic Decision-Making Tools:
- Electronic or solar-powered soil sensors (e.g., moisture, salinity, pH)
- Farm equipment-mounted sensors (e.g., yield sensors)
- Introductory subscriptions to farm management software (first year only)
- Universal terminals and task controllers
- Agricultural drones with specific sensors (e.g., thermal imaging)
- Internet boosters (maximum $2,000 grant per applicant)
- Efficient Fertilizer and Seed Application:
- Variable rate technology (e.g., soil sampling, rate mapping services)
- Sectional control technology for seeders and sprayers
- Direct injection systems for sprayers
- Livestock Feed Efficiency and Health Monitoring Tools:
- Smart calf/livestock feeders
- Livestock behavior sensors and monitoring systems
- Precision Weed Detection and Elimination:
- Precision spot-spray technology
- Weed detection sensors and systems
- Agronomic Decision-Making Tools:
- Energy Efficiency
- Heating:
- High-efficiency furnaces and boilers
- Infrared heaters
- Insulation:
- Insulation materials for buildings (funded per square footage)
- Lighting:
- LED lighting upgrades
- Ventilation:
- High-efficiency fans and ventilation systems
- Heat Pumps:
- Geothermal and air-source heat pumps
- Combined Heat and Power:
- Cogeneration systems
- Heating:
- Farm Security
- Security Enhancements:
- Surveillance cameras
- Alarm systems
- Controlled access systems
- Security Enhancements:
- Efficient Grain Handling
- Grain Drying:
- High-efficiency grain dryers
- Grain Handling:
- Energy-efficient conveyors and augers
- Monitoring:
- Temperature and moisture monitoring systems
- Grain Drying:
