Alternative Land Use Services Program
Charlottetown, 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|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
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program provides financial assistance for a range of conservation activities aimed at enhancing ecological goods and services on agricultural land. Here are eligible projects and activities under the program:
- Converting marginal or high-risk croplands into 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 and shrubs on ALUS-retired lands.
- Delaying cutting and harvesting of grass in forage fields, and deferring grazing of forages until after July 15th annually.
- Establishing and maintaining innovative agroforestry systems.
- Avoiding conversion and enhancing management of previously enrolled ALUS features.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$48,000
Vancouver
Developing riparian zones to create wildlife habitats and stabilize streambanks
$24,000
Regina
Implementing windbreaks to reduce wind erosion and improve crop yields
$40,000
Edmonton
Planting buffer strips along riverbanks to prevent soil erosion and improve water quality
$28,000
Guelph
Installing cover crops to enhance soil health and reduce nutrient runoff on a 160-acre farm
$32,000
Winnipeg
Converting cropland to native prairie to improve biodiversity and reduce water use
$36,000
Kelowna
Upgrading irrigation systems to conserve water and reduce runoff pollution
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To apply for the ALUS funding, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
- Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
- Landowners leasing active agricultural land to an agricultural producer (further documentation may be requested)
- Agricultural producers
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program offers financial support for certain groups engaged in agriculture and environmental conservation. Eligible recipients include Indigenous groups, landowners leasing to agricultural producers, and agricultural producers themselves.
- Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
- Landowners leasing active agricultural land to an agricultural producer
- Agricultural producers
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Certain activities and expenses are specifically excluded from qualifying for the ALUS grant. This includes activities that are either regulated or do not directly benefit the sector, among others. Here is a summary:
- Activities which are a requirement under regulation (e.g., 15m riparian buffer zones).
- Research activities.
- Academic institution overhead fees.
- BRM-type activities.
- Normal and on-going operating and maintenance activities.
- 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 (except international marketing and traceability activities).
- Activities which provide tax credits or rebates.
- Development and enforcement of regulations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers eligible expenses related to specific land use and conservation activities aimed at enhancing ecological goods and services.
- Converting marginal or high-risk croplands into biodiverse, perennial landscapes
- Maintaining land under soil conservation structures or natural hollows
- Excluding livestock from watercourses and wetlands
- Establishing and maintaining habitat and nectar sources for pollinators
- Planting trees and shrubs on ALUS-retired lands
- Delaying cutting and harvesting of grass in forage fields until after July 15th
- Establishing and maintaining innovative agroforestry systems
- Enhancing management of previously enrolled ALUS features
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program is designed for organizations and individuals within Canada, specifically targeting certain groups and activities related to agricultural land conservation. Since the program is co-delivered by the Province of Prince Edward Island's Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action, it is likely limited to applicants from Prince Edward Island.
- Prince Edward Island, Canada
grant_single_labels|register
Step 1: Prepare Required Documentation
- Complete the application form including applicant contact information, business or organization information, additional sources of project funding, recipient type, type of industry, signature for declaration, and optional demographic information.
- For new ALUS participants: Complete Appendix A to enroll new properties in the ALUS program. Indicate whether properties are leased or owned.
- Existing ALUS participants: Complete the ALUS Feature Renewal Appendix and Appendix A for new features or properties.
Step 2: Submit Application
- Email completed applications to ALUS@gov.pe.ca with the program name in the subject line.
- Alternatively, send applications via regular mail to PEI Department of Agriculture, 11 Kent Street, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown PE C1A 7N8.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Applicants should be prepared with additional information that could enhance their application and project implementation.
- Understand the importance of public trust and how your project will contribute to it.
- Familiarize yourself with the evaluation and control processes to ensure compliance and successful project outcomes.
- Consider under-represented groups during project development to align with program principles.
- Be aware of potential prioritization by the Department of Agriculture for certain eligible areas.
- Ensure biosecurity measures are in place if required, and communicate them to the ALUS advisor.
- Ensure the accuracy and completeness of application information to avoid delays or rejection.
- Be prepared for site visits or verification through aerial or satellite imaging.
grant_single_labels|contact
ALUS@gov.pe.ca
(902) 368-4880
Apply to this program
Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program Overview
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program is designed to support farmers and landowners in transforming and managing their agricultural landscapes to produce various ecological goods and services. By providing financial incentives, the program encourages sustainable land use practices that enhance biodiversity, improve water and air quality, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Understanding the ALUS Program: A Pathway to Sustainable Agriculture
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Program represents a significant advancement in agricultural sustainability and environmental conservation in Canada. Partnering with the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, ALUS aims to empower agricultural producers and landowners to integrate eco-friendly practices into their land management strategies. This multifaceted program addresses key environmental challenges, such as soil erosion, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions, by incentivizing the transition of sensitive lands from conventional agricultural production to more sustainable uses.
At its core, the ALUS Program seeks to transform marginal or high-risk agricultural land into biodiverse, perennial landscapes that offer several ecological benefits. Participants are encouraged to establish buffer zones, manage soggy or sloping lands, plant trees and shrubs, and delay activities like hay cutting to accommodate nesting birds. These efforts collaboratively contribute to a reduction in soil degradation, enhanced habitat for wildlife, and the sequestration of atmospheric carbon, thereby supporting Canada's broader environmental and climate goals.
Eligible recipients for this program include Indigenous groups, primary agricultural producers, and landowners leasing to agricultural producers. This breadth of eligibility emphasizes the program's inclusivity and intention to foster collaborative, community-based conservation efforts across different demographics, including indigenous communities contributing to sustainable practices.
Financially, the ALUS Program offers annual payments to participants through long-term land use agreements based on the specific beneficial management practices (BMPs) adopted. These payments are structured to offset any potential income loss from diverting land away from traditional cropping and to account for the ecological and strategic management practices implemented by landholders. By establishing such incentives, ALUS not only aids in environmental conservation but also promotes economic resilience within the agricultural sector.
In addition to addressing ecological concerns, the ALUS Program also plays a crucial role in enhancing public trust toward environmental stewardship in agriculture. It provides tangible evidence of the agricultural industry's commitment to environmental sustainability through public-private partnerships and community-engagement initiatives. This initiative is further enhanced by the development of agroforestry systems and support for infrastructure improvements, ensuring agricultural practices are aligned with contemporary ecological and economic needs.
Participants in the ALUS Program will benefit from extensive evaluation and mentorship, helping to ensure optimal implementation of BMPs. They must complete comprehensive applications that include both new and renewed feature enrollments, reflecting the program's commitment to systematic and sustainable landscapes management. This procedural rigor helps align individual landholder activity with broader environmental goals, assuring continued funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The ALUS Program's comprehensive support system, designed for both new and existing participants, underscores its focus on adaptability and longevity. Access to advisory services ensures farmers and landowners can readily adjust to evolving environmental regulations and conservation strategies, fostering a proactive rather than reactive approach to land management.
By participating in the ALUS Program, landholders contribute significantly to a more resilient agricultural ecosystem, simultaneously nurturing public confidence in Canadian agriculture's role in environmental stewardship. This alignment with the Sustainable CAP programs marks a step towards a more sustainable, diversified, and environmentally conscious agricultural industry in Canada, encouraging ongoing innovation and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Ultimately, the ALUS Program serves as a cornerstone in Canada’s journey towards a greener future, where agriculture harmoniously coexists with natural ecosystems.
