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As of October 15, 2011, the total of the applications received exceeds the available budget. New applications are still being accepted, but they will not be processed until a new budget is obtained. A new budget is expected in April, 2012.
Purpose
Funds are provided by the Alberta Lottery Fund to encourage improvements in agriculture, the quality of life in the agricultural community and to facilitate rural development.
Eligibility Criteria
Funds will be granted to agricultural societies incorporated under the Agricultural Societies Act (Alberta), and to other registered not-for-profit organizations with objectives related to agriculture and rural development.
Program Options
You may apply for funding for programs/projects such as:
- rural training
- leadership development
- rural development programs
- agricultural education projects (supporting livestock or crop production, food processing, soil and water conservation)
- producer and consumer education agricultural awareness
- applied research
We may also consider funding for activities such as:
- exhibitions (fairs, trade shows, displays)
- educational events (seminars, conferences, congresses)
- hosting tours for education or promotion purposes within Alberta (only costs in Alberta will be eligible)
- demonstrations
Funding Levels
Activities and Programs
May be funded on a 3:1 (grant:local) cost-share basis.
- local/regional projects grant maximum $20,000 per project.
- provincial projects grant maximum $40,000 per project.
- funding is possible each year for new projects.
- normally, maximum three years funding for any one project.
Capital Projects
New construction is not a priority of the program. The focus is on keeping existing facilities operating and viable. Priority is therefore given to capital projects that significantly impact operations. They include, but are not limited to: major repairs, renovations, the replacement of capital equipment that is not functional, and energy efficiency upgrades.
Organizations seeking funding for new facilities are encouraged to contact Alberta Culture and Community Spirit at 1-800-642-3855.
May be funded on a 1:1 (grant:local) cost-share basis. Maximum grant amount is $75,000
Applicants who received maximum funding in the current fiscal year for capital projects will not be eligible for capital funding the next consecutive fiscal year.
Applicants can receive multiple grants totaling $75,000 in capital funding in consecutive fiscal years.
Complete accounting for the previous phase must be provided, prior to an application for subsequent funding.
You can meet the local cost share requirements in:
The form of money, minimum 25% of project cost
- Volunteer labour - maximum rate is $15/hr for general and $30/hr for journeyman labour.
- Volunteer labour hours must be directly related to the project.
- Donated heavy equipment (including operator) working directly on the project, maximum $60/hr.
- Donated materials at market value for the project.
Money received from the Alberta Government through any other grant program (including funds provided through lottery fund disbursements) may not be used to meet the local cost-shared requriements. Federal grant funding will be treated in the same manner.
Application Procedure
Applicants are encouraged to confirm project eligibility by calling program staff before completing an application form.
Agricultural Initiative Program fiscal year runs April 1st through March 31st . Applications are reviewed throughout the year on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications received from January through March may be returned for resubmission in the new fiscal year. The approval of any application is subject to the availability of lottery funds.
Grant staff requests MLA comments as part of the review process on capital projects.
Processing time is a minimum of 8 weeks. Minimum time is based on full application documentation being received by this office at time of submission.
You will be informed of a funding decision by written correspondence.
Guidelines and Application Form
The Guidelines and Application form is availble for you to download:
Please submit your applications to:
Agricultural Initiatives Program
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Agriculture Grant Program
Room #200, J.G. O'Donoghue Building
7000 113 Street, Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6
Contact:
Bill Gordon, Program Manager
Phone: (780) 422-2611
Fax: (780) 422-7755 |
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