Environmental Farm Plan Program ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Agricultural producers operating farms in Canada - Farm businesses of all sizes and types (crop, livestock, mixed operations) - Sole proprietors operating as farmers - Farm partnerships and incorporated farm operations - Beginning farmers and established agricultural operations - Operations must have valid Canadian farm classification (typically $7,000+ in gross farm revenue annually, or potential to meet this threshold) ### 💰 Funding Details - Cost-sharing model: Government covers a percentage of planning advisor fees (typically 50-80% depending on province/territory) - Farmer contribution: Required matching contribution (typically 20-50% of eligible costs) - Grant structure: Non-repayable contribution (not a loan) - Maximum eligible costs: Varies by province; typically covers professional planning advisor time only - No direct cash disbursement: Funds paid directly to qualified planning advisor upon plan completion - Budget range: Generally $500–$2,500 per farm plan (cost-shared portion) ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Professional planning advisor fees for developing the Environmental Farm Plan document - Advisor consultation time (on-farm visits and analysis) - Plan development and documentation (environmental risk assessment, sustainability recommendations) - Expert recommendations on: - Soil and water management - Nutrient management - Pest management optimization - Biodiversity and habitat protection - Waste management practices - Energy efficiency measures Not eligible: Equipment purchases, infrastructure improvements, or implementation costs ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Qualified advisor requirement: Plan must be completed by an approved Environmental Farm Plan advisor (certified through provincial agriculture ministry) - Plan completion: Full Environmental Farm Plan document must be finalized and submitted - Farmer participation: Applicant must actively engage with advisor throughout planning process - Timeline: Typically 3–6 months from application to plan completion - Record retention: Farmers must retain the plan and supporting documentation for audit purposes - Voluntary implementation: Plan is a road