Alternative Land Use Services Program
PE, Canada
Funding for agricultural land sustainability in Prince Edward Island
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJuly 09, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateJuly 09, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Prince Edward Island
- Department of Agriculture and Land (PEI)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Agricultural landowners can get funding to establish or maintain beneficial management practices on agricultural land, or to remove targeted environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production.
grant_single_labels|projects
There is no mention of any specific geographic areas that are eligible for the ALUS program applications in the provided context. The eligibility seems to be more focused on specific groups, such as Mi’kmaq First Nations, Indigenous groups, landowners, and agricultural producers, without specifying geographical constraints.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$48,000
Developing riparian zones to create wildlife habitats and stabilize streambanks
$24,000
Implementing windbreaks to reduce wind erosion and improve crop yields
$40,000
Planting buffer strips along riverbanks to prevent soil erosion and improve water quality
$28,000
Installing cover crops to enhance soil health and reduce nutrient runoff on a 160-acre farm
$32,000
Converting cropland to native prairie to improve biodiversity and reduce water use
$36,000
Upgrading irrigation systems to conserve water and reduce runoff pollution
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific recipient criteria related to the applicant's profile.
- The applicant must be a Mi’kmaq First Nation or another Indigenous group.
- Landowners leasing active agricultural land to an agricultural producer are eligible, with potential further documentation requirements.
- Agricultural producers are also eligible to apply for this grant.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups, landowners leasing active agricultural land to an agricultural producer, and agricultural producers who are engaged in eligible activities such as converting marginal croplands, maintaining land under conservation structures, excluding livestock from watercourses, and more.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant focuses on environmental sustainability within agricultural contexts, and thus excludes certain activities that do not align with its conservation and regeneration goals. The restrictions help ensure that funding supports ecological practices on agricultural landscapes.
- Activities which are a requirement under regulation, such as 15m riparian buffer zones and regulated grassed headlands.
- Research and academic institution overhead fees.
- BRM-type activities (which typically focus on business risk management).
- Normal and ongoing operating and maintenance activities without additional ecological benefits.
- Activities that do not provide a direct benefit to the agricultural sector.
- Activities related to aquaponic food production, aquaculture, seaweed, fish and seafood production and processing.
- Activities which provide tax credits or rebates.
- Development and enforcement of regulations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The ALUS grant aims to support agricultural practices that enhance ecological services and biodiversity. Eligible activities focus on transforming agricultural landscapes for environmental benefits.
- Converting marginal or high-risk croplands into biodiverse, perennial, carbon-sequestering landscapes.
- Maintaining land under soil conservation structures or natural hollows as permanent grass.
- Excluding livestock from watercourses and wetlands.
- Establishing and maintaining habitat and nectar sources for pollinators and beneficial insects.
- Planting trees and shrubs on ALUS-retired lands.
- Delaying cutting and harvesting of grass in forage fields and deferring grazing until after July 15th.
- Establishing and maintaining innovative agroforestry systems.
- Avoiding conversion and enhancing management of previously enrolled ALUS features.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers expenses related to the conversion and maintenance of agricultural land to enhance biodiversity, water quality, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration.
- Converting marginal or high-risk croplands to biodiverse, perennial, carbon-sequestering landscapes.
- Maintaining land under soil conservation structures or natural hollows left as permanent grass.
- Excluding livestock from watercourses and wetlands.
- Establishing and maintaining habitat and nectar sources for pollinators and other beneficial insects.
- Planting trees & shrubs on ALUS-retired lands.
- Delaying cutting and harvesting of grass in forage fields, and deferring grazing of forages in pastures until after July 15th.
- Establishing and maintaining innovative agroforestry systems.
- Enhancing management of previously enrolled ALUS features.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Prepare Necessary Information
- Complete the Application Form with applicant contact information.
- Include business or organization information, along with the CRA registration number.
- If applicable, provide partnership information.
- Identify additional sources of project funding.
- Select recipient type (i.e. primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor).
- Classify the type of industry (e.g., Dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains and oilseeds).
- Signature for declaration and consent to personal information is required.
- Provide demographic information (optional).
- Step 2: Complete ALUS Project Details
- For new ALUS participants, fill out Appendix A: ALUS New Feature Enrollment to register properties.
- For existing ALUS participants, fill out the ALUS Feature Renewal Appendix to re-enroll or enhance existing ALUS features.
- Fill out Appendix A: ALUS New Feature Enrollment to add new features if necessary.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Email the completed application to ALUS@gov.pe.ca. Include program name in the subject line.
- Alternatively, send the application by regular mail to the PEI Department of Agriculture, 11 Kent Street, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown PE C1A 7N8.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Agricultural producers applying for an ALUS feature on leased land will require a form signed by the farmland owner confirming the producer's eligibility to receive annual payments.
- Verification of application information or project completion may be conducted through site visits by ALUS Advisors or via aerial or satellite imagery.
- Annual independent field audits are required to confirm the presence of nesting bobolinks to continue receiving funding for delayed hay cutting and deferred grazing.
- Projects contributing to increasing public trust under the Sustainable CAP may qualify for additional funding.
grant_single_labels|contact
ALUS@gov.pe.ca
(902) 368-4880
Apply to this program
Enhancing Agricultural Landscapes Through the ALUS Program
The ALUS Program seeks to empower farmers and landowners by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing ecological services. This initiative provides financial support for activities that contribute to environmental sustainability and biodiversity.
In-Depth Insight Into the ALUS Program's Purpose and Benefits
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program plays a pivotal role in transforming agricultural landscapes across Canada by offering both guidance and financial assistance to farmers and landowners committed to adopting sustainable practices. The program focuses on creating and maintaining ecological goods and services, aiming to combat soil erosion, improve air and water quality, enhance wildlife habitats, and sequester carbon through innovative land management strategies.
A collaborative effort between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, the ALUS Program is enriched by insights from the ALUS Partnership Advisory Committee, which includes experts from industry, conservation, and watershed groups. This partnership aims to foster a comprehensive approach to landscape conservation, ensuring that the practices adopted are both beneficial and sustainable over the long term.
The program is open to a diverse array of recipients, including Mi’kmaq First Nations, other Indigenous groups, landowners leasing agricultural land, and agricultural producers. By targeting marginal or high-risk croplands, especially those previously used for annual production, the ALUS initiatives center on the conversion to biodiverse and perennial landscapes. These landscapes are not only rich in biodiversity but also act as significant carbon sinks, contributing to the fight against climate change.
Among the eligible activities, participants can engage in creating expanded buffer zones, managing seasonally wet croplands, and maintaining high-slope areas to prevent soil erosion. There is a strong emphasis on establishing pollinator habitats and nectar sources, which are crucial for maintaining the biodiversity needed to sustain agricultural productivity. Furthermore, by deferring activities like hay cutting and grazing on designated lands until after mid-July, the program aids in the conservation of ground-nesting birds like bobolinks, showcasing a tangible benefit to wildlife conservation.
Financially, the program supports these transitions through a structured payment system that promotes the adoption and ongoing maintenance of sustainable practices. Payments are linked to specific beneficial management practices (BMPs), each designed to target particular landscape features and environmental challenges. These incentives ensure that farmers and landowners can prioritize long-term ecological health alongside their economic interests.
Overall, the ALUS Program embodies a forward-thinking approach to agriculture, recognizing farmers and landowners not only as food producers but also as stewards of the land. By investing in ecological goods and services, the program underlines the importance of resilient agricultural ecosystems, which are vital for securing the future of food production and environmental wellbeing in Canada. This initiative is an exemplary model of how agricultural policies can intersect with environmental goals, driving positive change within Canada’s rural communities.