Agriculture Stewardship Program — Beneficial Management Practices ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Primary Applicants: - Farm operators and agricultural producers - Registered farmers with active agricultural operations - Individual sole proprietors in agriculture - Agricultural partnerships and cooperatives - Agricultural corporations and registered businesses - Secondary Participants: - Agricultural organizations and associations (as project partners) - Non-profit agricultural groups (supporting roles) - Educational institutions with agricultural programs (as collaborators) - Key Requirements: - Applicants must operate or own agricultural land in Canada - Operations must be actively engaged in food, beverage, or crop production - Applicants must be in good standing (no outstanding agricultural program violations) ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Structure: - Cost-shared funding model (not a loan — fully repayable component is optional depending on project type) - Variable funding amounts based on project scope and regional allocation - Matching Ratio: - Typically 50–75% government cost-share - Applicant provides 25–50% in-kind or cash contribution - Matching percentages vary by province and specific practice category - Funding Caps: - Project-specific maximums (range typically $5,000–$50,000+) - Individual farm operation limits apply - Varies by beneficial management practice category - Payment Terms: - Reimbursement-based (applicant pays upfront, receives reimbursement upon milestone completion) - No interest or repayment obligations on grant portion - Funds distributed upon invoice submission and verification ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses Soil Management Practices: - Cover cropping and crop rotation implementation - Soil testing and analysis - Conservation tillage equipment and installation - Organic matter amendments and application Water Management Practices: - Irrigation system upgrades and efficiency improvements - Water retention structures (ponds, cisterns) - Drainage system optimization - Riparian buffer zone establishment Energy Efficiency Practices: - On-farm renewable energy systems (solar, wind,