Addressing the Agriculture Labour Task Force Grant Program — Stream 2

This grant program offers comprehensive financing modalities to ensure agricultural businesses enhance their human resource capacities effectively. The modalities are structured to provide substantial support while maintaining accountability and project progression.

• Provides a 90/10 cost share, covering 90% of eligible expenses from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $30,000 per applicant.
• Applies staggered financial disbursement: up to 40% of the grant upon acceptance of the application and the remainder upon project completion and submission of valid invoices.
• Reimburses clients based on the confirmed completion of project scope and timelines, net of any advance payments received.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

• The applicant must be an agri-food processor actively engaged in transforming agricultural commodities into value-added products through physical, chemical, or thermal means, including packaging.
• The applicant may contract to have product(s) processed and packaged on their behalf.
• The applicant must operate a processing facility that markets its products through wholesale distribution channels.
• Primary producers must be responsible for the day-to-day management and work on a farm, producing at least $10,000 worth of agricultural commodities annually.
• Industry organizations must be registered in Alberta and directly represent primary agriculture producers or agri-food processing companies in Alberta.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for this grant include entities in the primary agriculture and agri-food processing sectors. Specifically, the following groups can apply:1. Agri-food Processors: These are entities actively involved in transforming agricultural commodities into value-added products through physical, chemical, or thermal means, including packaging. They must contract to process and package products on their behalf and operate facilities that market products through wholesale distribution channels.2. Primary Producers: Individuals responsible for the daily management and operations on a farm. They have responsibility for input costs related to agricultural crops or livestock, producing at least $10,000 worth of farm commodities annually. Note that landlords whose only interest is land ownership are excluded.3. Industry Organizations: Registered organizations in Alberta that directly represent primary agriculture producers or agri-food processing companies, such as commodity, industry, and/or producer associations.

Who is not eligible

This grant program has specific restrictions to ensure the funding is directed toward the intended agriculture sectors and capacities. Certain activities and company statuses are excluded to align with these objectives.

• Projects targeting recruitment or retention of temporary foreign workers.
• Businesses seeking funds for employee wages, housing, relocation, or training costs.
• Entities that have applied for, or received, funding from the Government of Alberta or the Government of Canada for the same project.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the improvement of human resource practices through training and consultation.

• Consulting fees paid to a third-party consultant to complete eligible activities.
• Training costs to improve human resource business skills specifically tailored to attract and retain workers and reduce turnover.
• Engagement of facilitators to coach business owners on best practices in human resources.

Eligible geographic areas

The eligible geographical area for this grant is Alberta, as specified by the eligibility criteria for industry organizations and producers.

• Organizations registered in Alberta representing primary agriculture producers or agri-food processing companies.
• Primary producers operating and managing farms within the province of Alberta.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The funding cannot be used for projects targeting recruitment or retention of temporary foreign workers.
• The funding period for this grant program is defined as July 23, 2024 - March 31, 2025, and all projects must be completed by February 14, 2025.
• Clients who have applied for or received funding from the Government of Alberta or the Government of Canada for the same project are ineligible.
• Clients can receive up to 40% of the funding amount upon acceptance of the approved application, with the balance reimbursed based on project completion and submission of paid invoices.