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 project |
| 0801.1 –Improved on-farm fuel storage | · Improved fuel storage by providing a roof and containment for a single-walled tank or replacement of a single-walled tank with a double-walled tank
· Concrete slab and bollards for a double-walled tank · Fuel storage structures are to be designed to minimize water collection in the containment structure Ineligible items: Roof and containment for a double-walled tank |
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| 0801.2 – Improved on-farm pesticide storage | · Improved pesticide storage by improving existing storage structure by providing a concrete, non-permeable floor, sill, or curb to contain spills
· Installation of solid metal shelves to restrict the absorption of spilled pesticides · Installation of lighting Ineligible items: · Locks, vents, and signage (minimum legislative requirement) Construction or purchase of a storage building or structure |
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| 0802 – Improved on-farm storage, handling, and disposal of agricultural waste
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Improved storage or handling for livestock mortalities, culled fruit and vegetables, crop residue and wood waste.
Note: Conditions for specific waste handling practices by sector |
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| 0802.1 Province-wide, poultry only | 0802.1 – Poultry mortality incinerators
These are eligible if the incinerator uses best available technology and meets appropriate air emission standards |
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| 0802.2 Province-wide | 0802.2 – Orchard and vineyard mulching mowers
Heavy duty mulching mowers for dealing with pruning residue. The application must describe how the new equipment provides an improved or incremental benefit |
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| 0803 – Composting of agricultural waste | · Composting technologies that are appropriate for the composting of on-farm generated agricultural wastes including livestock mortalities, manure, fruit and vegetable culls, on-farm processing, crop residues, wood, and straw
· (if supporting additional support for post-BHT secondary composting) Construction of new, or expansion of existing composting structures. In high precipitation areas, composting structures must be covered. Note: A technical or engineering design (0804) must be completed and included with the project application unless the facility is a preassembled package operation with manufacturer design and operation specifications |
Technical or engineering design (0804) may be required |
| 0805 – Wood residue management
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· On-farm or portable chippers or forced air assistance burners.
· Rental of one-time use of chipper or air burner if wood residue management is completed annually.
Ineligible items: Contracted services for wood residue management Note: Burners must meet the conditions and appropriate air emission standards of the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy |
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| 0806 – Plastics compactor equipment
Restricted to Peace River Regional District, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Fraser Valley Regional District |
Eligible BMPs and Costs
· Pre-built or manufactured plastics compactors · Materials and equipment to build compactor using pre-existing plans (ex. https://cleanfarms.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FCP-Ag-Plastic-Compactor-Design-Drawings.pdf) Ineligible Costs Equipment or materials not related to plastics compacting in identified regions. |
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| 1601 – Improved Pest Management Equipment
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· Alteration or purchase of new or alternations to pesticide application equipment and purchase mowing equipment to reduce pesticide use
· Alteration or purchase of alternative, non-sprayer type pest management equipment (i.e. flamer) · Application must describe how the new equipment provides an improved or incremental benefit · Ineligible items: Funding will not be provided to assist with the control of non-wildlife, pest species that are commonly found on farms and ranches in BC |
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| 1601.1 – Alterations to sprayers | ||
| 1601.2 – New Sprayers | ||
| 1601.3 – Rotary or flail mowers, in row mowers and tillers
These implements must have side discharge or swinging arms that are designed to reduce pesticide use and target grass clipping management. |
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| 1602 – Pest Information Collection & Monitoring | · Equipment & materials such as prediction, trapping devices and sampling equipment
Ineligible items: Pest management practices common to the industry and well understood will not be funded |
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| 3202.1 – Precision guidance applications (GPS nutrients)
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Precision farming applications that reduce input application and overlap of fertilizer, pesticides or organic residuals (manure/compost)
· GPS guidance systems and installation · On-line field mapping equipment · On-line input application control systems guided by high-resolution electronic field maps and GPS Ineligible items: · Any precision farming applications in areas where field size and distribution, ditch layout and/or lay of land prevent significant utility from the use of GPS–guided equipment · Annual subscription fees |
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| 3202.2 – Precision guidance applications (GPS pesticides/residuals) | Precision farming applications that reduce the application and overlap of pesticides and/or improve the rate and placement of application (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.)
· GPS guidance systems and installation · On-line field mapping equipment · On-line input application control systems guided by high-resolution electronic field maps and GPS Ineligible items: · Any precision farming applications in areas where field size and distribution, ditch layout and/or lay of land prevent significant utility from the use of GPS–guided equipment · Annual subscription fees · Pesticide inputs |
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| 3305 – Low Disturbance Placement of Seed and Fertilizer | · Equipment modification on seeding implements for reduced tillage seeding and post seeding implements for low disturbance placement of seed and fertilizer
· Modifying seeding and post-seeding implements for low-disturbance placement of seed and fertilizer; applicants may claim value of eligible components when purchasing equipment (coulters, openers, trash clearance devices, furrow closers, and liquid or row crop fertilizer banders). · Eligible items include: o Single disc openers (e.g. coulters), residue clearance devices and additional toolbars as required o Openers for fertilizer placement on specialized planters and drills o Cover crop crimper (if part of a one-pass seeding operation) · Liquid or dry fertilizer placement systems for high residue conditions Note: BMP is intended to provide support primarily through equipment modification; however, a producer may claim the value of the eligible modification when purchasing an entire equipment unit; the cost of the eligible component must be visibly itemized and broken out on the invoice or on a separate invoice. Or the eligible costs will be calculated at 50% of the value of the tool carrier and bottoms · For applications where a completely new unit is to be purchased, the application must describe how the new equipment provides improved or incremental benefit
Ineligible items: · Chaff collectors and chaff spreaders installed on combines are not eligible · seed or fertilizer carts or tanks are not eligible. |
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| 0100 – Improve liquid manure storage facilities *
Dairy only |
Construction of new liquid manure storage facilities or modification to existing liquid manure storage facilities to increase manure storage capacity.
Ineligible items: · Manure application equipment · Transfer systems to move manure · Agitation systems · Storage tank aeration systems · Manure storage additives |
Technical or engineering design (0804) is required |
| 0105 – Assessment and monitoring of existing manure storage infrastructure *
Poultry and livestock only |
Purchase and installation of monitoring devices, such as piezometers or shallow observation wells to identify potential impacts of manure leaks and spills on surface or ground water.
Ineligible items: · Increased volume of storage facilities · Improved features to prevent leaks and spills |
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| 0201 – Treatment systems for solid or liquid manure
Poultry and livestock only |
· Dewatering for liquid manure
· Sand recovery lanes · Nutrient and/or bedding recovery systems for solid and liquid manure (ex. Bedding master, centrifuge, etc.) · Pathogen and vector attraction reduction treatment systems which would permit solids to meet protocols identified in the BC Good Agricultural Practices Guide (for food safety) · Nutrient recovery as a backend to a biogas system · Nutrient upgrading equipment that is directly associated with the nutrient recovery system · Interconnections that support nutrient recovery systems, e.g., piping, electrical, reception units Ineligible items: · New solid or liquid manure storage facilities · Modifications to existing facilities which would increase their capacity, including new or modified reception pits · Nutrient recovery supporting infrastructure, e.g., concrete pads, roofs, buildings Note: For composting of manure see 0803 For non-manure wastewater treatment see 1701 |
Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) (2401.1 or 2401.2) |
| 0301 – Specific equipment components for land application of agricultural by-products | Projects could include specialized modifications to equipment for improved manure application to land.
· Solid manure spreaders: funding may be provided for the incremental costs of cyclone spreading attachments. Other types of spreaders will be reviewed, on a case-by-case basis, to determine components that can be funded from the program · Liquid manure spreaders: funding may be provided for modification to existing spreaders Low trajectory, sleighfoot, band or injection spreading technology is preferred. Eligible items could also include addition of flowmeters and controls for liquid delivery systems. Note: For new manure spreading equipment (complete unit) only the portion of the implement directly related to improved accuracy of rate and placement of agricultural by-products for the new spreader will be eligible. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. |
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| 1701 – Recycling of wastewater streams
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· This could include wastewater streams from milk houses, fruit and vegetable washing facilities, and greenhouses to recover nutrients or reduce water use | |
| 3203 – Specific equipment components for land application of fertilizer
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Projects could include specialized modification which improve the accuracy of rate and or placement of fertilizer.
· Funding may be provided for the incremental costs of attachments or funding may be provided for modification to existing application equipment or a portion of the components of the new application equipment · For new fertilizer application equipment (complete unit) only the portion of the implement directly related to improved accuracy of rate and or placement of commercial fertilizer for the new applicator will be eligible. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis |
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| 3204 – Fertigation (including perennial and annual crops) | Projects could include specialized equipment, or modification of existing equipment, to deliver nutrients to crops as part of a liquid solution. Systems must improve the accuracy of rate and placement of fertilizer.
· Funding may be provided for the incremental costs of attachments or funding may be provided for modification to existing application equipment or a portion of the components of the new application equipment. · For new application equipment, only the portion of the implement directly related to improved accuracy of rate and or placement of commercial fertilizer for the new applicator will be eligible. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis |
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| 3101.1 – Covered manure storage or Covered manure storage in combination with methane collection and renewable energy production from collected methane
Projects must reduce methane emissions from agricultural operations by preventing, suppressing or utilizing methane (CH4) |
· Floating contact cover (whole sheet)
· Floating contact cover (aggregated sections – rainwater cannot be collected) · Water collection system and pumps · Sealed cover (tent-like structure or self-inflated dome or lid) for anaerobic reactors · Floating contact cover (whole sheet) for liquid digester effluent storage · Infrastructure related to pasteurization of applicable imported non-agricultural feedstock · Methane utilization infrastructure such as biogas boilers, co-gen/micro turbine or biogas clean-up and upgrading equipment · Heat exchange system to utilize heat radiated by methane utilization equipment · Assessment, design and construction costs are eligible · Consultant work related to acquisition of discharge permit under the Environmental Management Act and carbon offset verification and validation · Assessment, design and construction costs are eligible Ineligible Items: · Roof structures that do not ensure a sealed headspace above the manure or direct contact between the cover and the manure · Storage structures for manure and other agricultural wastes · Rainwater collection systems or pumps or parts of a larger system that are not directly associated with the manure storage cover · Open flares · Gas collection and conveyance systems or part of a system that is not directly associated with methane collection from the manure storage or anaerobic reactor tanks Any infrastructure on a legal property which is not assessed as a farm for tax purposes |
Can be supported by engineering or technical design (3102) if required |
| 3101.3 – Feed additives to manage enteric fermentation in ruminants
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Examples of eligible additives for investigation:
· Microbial and/or by-pass protein · Ionophores or Red Seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) · Dietary fats (may impact milk quality negatively) · Implementing practices: A single year funding can be provided to assist producers wishing to utilize feed additives to reduce enteric fermentation Ineligible Items: Feed efficiency, digestibility or feed additive costs related to non-ruminant animals, any applications for funding subsequent to initial year |
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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.
