Eligibility Criteria
Applications
Applicants will apply through the IAF Client Portal. REMINDER: Do not wait to start this process – it can take up to two business days to validate your organization!
The application process will consist of:
Applicants may be required to provide supplementary materials in support of their application (e.g., budget, water licence, change approval). These documents can be uploaded through the IAF Client Portal as attachments to the application.
IAF staff are available to answer questions regarding eligible activities, costs and/or the application process. IAF may also contact applicants for additional information or clarification to assess their application. Applicants can contact bmp@iafbc.ca with any questions about the program or to receive support in developing their application.
Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.
Demographic Information
As this program is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, you are required to provide additional demographic information. The demographic information is collected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and must be done prior to submitting your application. To provide your demographic information:
- Start drafting your application in the IAF Client Portal.
- Copy your application ID (it will be provided to you at the Demographic data section of the application, or see the top of your application form). You will need to put this ID into the Ministry’s form.
- Visit the Ministry’s webpage through the link on the application and complete the form. (Note: this will open a new browser tab).
- Once the form is complete, copy the Ministry’s confirmation number and enter it in the application form. It should look something like this AB123456
Note: Demographic information will not be used to assess eligibility for the program.
Review and Adjudication
NEW THIS YEAR: Applicants are invited to start (i.e. draft, edit & view) their application prior to the submission window opening.
Upon submission of an application, all BMP applications will be reviewed under the first-come, first-serve model for 2024/25 intakes. Project applications are screened and reviewed by IAF Staff. This review involves:
- Ensuring application completeness.
- Organization/Applicant eligibility check.
- Project alignment and eligibility check.
Applications will be considered until all available funding is committed. All decisions regarding application status are final. All applicants will receive a funding decision email from IAF.
Notifications & Obligations
Funding Notifications & Contracts
If the project is approved, IAF will inform the applicant of the details of the decision and any associated terms and conditions by email within eight weeks of the application close date or the submission of the application if in the case of an ongoing intake window. Funding is application and project-specific and must be used for the approved project and related expenses. Funds are non-transferable.
Retroactive costs will not be considered.
Projects funded in 2024 may begin on or after April 1, 2024, and must be completed by set dates determined by category. If the project is not approved, the applicant will receive a written response from IAF.
Changes to Contracted Projects
If you are not able to complete your project or require a change, please inform the IAF Team as soon as possible using the IAF Client Portal.
Funding Acknowledgement
This program is funded by the Government of BC and/or Canada, as such acknowledgement of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgement, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Materials can be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.
Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants must complete a final report prior to receiving funds from the program. This report must be filled out and submitted to IAF along with all invoices for the project to be considered for funding reimbursement. It is important that the final report is submitted on time and with all required information. Expenses will be reimbursed based on the submitted receipts, the approved project budget and the corresponding cost-share ratio. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.
Project Details
Looking for a qualified contractor to execute a plan and/or design? We’ve assembled a list of verified contractors for your reference here.
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BMP Category Practice Code and Commodity |
Eligible BMPs and Costs | Required plans or actions to be completed prior to or concurrent with a project |
| 2204 – Habitat Structures and Enhancement * | Funding to support the purchase, construction and installation of species-specific habitat structures and enhancements to natural habitat for wildlife and specific species at risk. These include, but are not limited to:
· Bat houses and/or bat roosts · Specialized nest boxes for birds (e.g. barn owl, barn swallow, prothonotary warbler) · Winter bird roosts · Turtle sunning platforms · Snake hibernacula (overwintering sites) · Turtle nesting sites · Protective structures (i.e. cattle guards) to prevent nest relocation. |
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| 2206 – Protection of wildlife (flushing bars) | · Flushing bars on haying/silage-cutting equipment to reduce wildlife mortality
Ineligible Items: Equipment or components directly related to cutting or harvesting of forage. |
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| 2207 – Creating Pollinator Habitat | · Establishment of pollinator strips or other perennial cover for pollinator habitat
· Development of pollinator nesting sites to support pollinators and plant species at risk · Establishment of pollinator habitat for other biodiversity purposes in fields or field margins of existing cropland (area planted with high value plants that pollinators like)
Ineligible Items: · On-going maintenance · Costs associated with acquiring/planting invasive plant species · Opportunity costs associated with payments for land taken out of production · Landscape quality or landscaping-type plantings · Commercial fruit trees, Christmas trees, ornamentals, afforestation, woodlot establishment and reforestation. |
Biodiversity Management Plan (2801) is required |
| 2209 – Stackyard Fencing | To cover a portion of the costs for:
· Stackyard fencing to protect harvested feeds, forage and silage stored by farmers and ranchers from wildlife · Eligible permanent fencing inclusive of all costs, including in-kind labour · Portable electric fencing, set-ups, including solar battery chargers, battery and initial line and post purchases · Monitoring and management equipment Ineligible items: · Perimeter fencing · Pasture seeding and establishment costs · Pasture renovation · Repair and maintenance of existing riparian erosion control or riparian pasture management systems and equipment (e.g., can’t be used to repair existing fence) Note: Approval of projects will be contingent upon adherence to all federal, provincial, and municipal guidelines and regulations for project design and implementation |
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| 1901 – Establishment of shelterbelts or tree buffers
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· The desired outcome of the shelterbelt or buffer establishment must be identified in the plan and reflected in the proposed design and species mix
· Tree materials only for planting around fields and buildings · Staking to support young trees from winter damage · Buffers can be single or multi-row · Maintenance for the year after the planting year can be included as part of the project proposal but is subject to the availability of funding in the following program year · Renovations or supplemental plantings will be considered Ineligible items: · Establishment of trees or shrubs that are intended for harvesting for economic benefit within 15 years, such as fruit orchards, Christmas trees, ornamental nursery stock · Block or plantation-style plantings · Buffer and shelterbelt renovation costs incurred after the establishment or the purchase and relocation of established trees · Landscape quality or landscaping-type plantings · Breaking and reseeding of existing native forages · Costs for planting cover or companion crops Seed containing noxious or prohibited weeds as listed in The Weed Control Act. |
Vegetative Buffer Plan (3401)
A Vegetative Buffer Plan is required for shelterbelt or buffer plantings in all regional districts of Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, Thompson- Nicola, Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver areas |
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Resources
Please note: the Government of BC may, from time to time, give instructions to IAF in relation to the delivery and administration of this program. IAF must and will comply with those instructions.
Funding for this program has been provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.
