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.
| BMP Category Practice Code and Commodity | Eligible Activities and Costs | Required plans/designs and actions to be completed prior |
|---|---|---|
| 3302.1 Replacement of fossil-fuel-driven equipment or motors with electrical equipment or motors | • High-efficiency electrical motors • Motors must be rated as energy efficient following “Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations for Electric Motors” • Electrical motors to drive existing PTO equipment and/or any other farm machinery • Starters, switch gear and equipment required for connection to electrical grid • Wind turbines – Electric conversion Additional eligible items for irrigation motors: Ineligible Items: |
|
| 3302.2 – Replacement or transition to fuel efficient equipment | Eligible items: • Equipment to improve on-farm operations that reduce fuel consumption • Equipment that contributes a minimum energy consumption reduction of 20% Ineligible items: |
|
| 3302.3 – Power line extension for replacement of fossil-fuel driven motors with electrical motors | • On farm power line extension to supply highly efficient electric motors • Projects eligible only if linked to an eligible project under Practice Code 3302.1 Ineligible items: Funding of power line is only eligible as part of costs to convert to electric from a fossil fuel motor |
|
| 3302.4 – Replacement of fossil fuel driven engines with electric battery pack | • Replacement of fossil fuel driven mobile / hand pruners with pruners operating from rechargeable battery packs | |
| 3303 – Alternative energy technology and supplementary energy Storage | Wind, Solar, geothermal, Combined Heat and Power & On Farm Hydro for powering previously fossil-fuel dependent farm energy requirements and replacement of diesel generators • Wind turbines • Photovoltaic solar panels • Geothermal systems • Combined Heat and Power • Rechargeable batteries • Energy Storage • Electrical conveyance and connection infrastructure • Assessment, design and/or construction • On-farm hydro production Ineligible Items: |
Option to combine with engineering or technical design (3309) |
| 3304 – Replacement of fossil-fuel dependent space heating with renewable heating | Alternate space heating systems to replacement of fossil fuel space heaters • Solar thermal infrastructure • Geothermal infrastructure • Heat pumps • Biomass boilers • Heat exchangers and heat conveyance infrastructure • Heat recovery and use including waste heat • Warm water tanks • Electric boilers • Insulation for hot water tanks Ineligible Items: Any warm water tanks, heat exchange and heat conveyance infrastructure that will not be connected to a new renewable heat source |
Option to combine with engineering or technical design (3309) |
| 3307 – Thermal energy efficiency improvements that increase insulation and reduce cooling and heating needs | • Thermal curtains and other dividers • Improved insulation • Management optimization systems • Building envelope inspection and recommendations • Improvements to building envelope Ineligible items: |
|
| 3308 – Lighting efficiency improvements | • Low energy lighting equipment
Ineligible items: Low energy lighting equipment for structures that are not directly related to agricultural production (e.g., office or equipment/machinery storage) |
|
| 3310.1 – Energy Monitoring and Controls | Eligible costs include purchase and installation of: • Electrical / fossil fuel energy metering / monitoring systems • Electronic HVAC controls • Moisture monitoring and controllers • Electric conversion • Heat exchangers • Thermostats or burner temperature control for energy efficiency • Adaptation of heaters to improve efficiency • Variable speed blowers • Thermostat/ temperature controls on grain dryers Ineligible Items: |
|
| 3310.2 – Grain dryer energy efficiency | Eligible costs include purchase and installation of the following, specific to retrofit components on old dryers or components identified on an invoice of a new dryer: • Electrical / fossil fuel energy metering / monitoring systems • Electronic HVAC controls • Moisture monitoring and controllers • Electric conversion • Heat exchangers • Thermostats or burner temperature control for energy efficiency • Adaptation of heaters to improve efficiency • Variable speed blowers and thermostat / temperature controls on grain dryers • Preheating tier addition to dryer • High efficiency vaporizer Ineligible Items: |
|
| 3501 – Creative Environmental Regenerative Agriculture Solutions * | • This category is open to applications that address projects or situations identified in an EFP but not represented by any other BMP Categories. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a “proposal driven basis” and be reviewed by an adjudication committee |
Applicable planning, engineering or technical design must accompany application. |
Apply
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.
