B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program – Stream 2
BC, Canada
Business consultant for Indigenous entrepreneurs in B.C.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
- Ministry of Agriculture
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $8,000 in professional business and financial planning services from a B.C. Ministry of Agriculture pre-approved business consultant.
grant_single_labels|projects
The B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program is open to Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations within a specific geographical area. Eligibility is limited to those located in the Province of British Columbia.
- The Province of British Columbia.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$8,000
Developing a value-added venture plan for an orchard
$8,000
Developing marketing strategies for a new berry farm
$8,000
Developing a comprehensive business plan for a new organic farm
$8,000
Providing business and financial planning for a greenhouse project
$8,000
Risk assessment and mitigation for a dairy farm expansion
$8,000
Analyzing agribusiness opportunities for a cooperative
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their organizational status and geographic location.
- The applicant must be an Indigenous government, community, or organization within the Province of British Columbia.
- Eligible entities include a band or tribal council, self-governing First Nation or Métis Nation Chartered Community, society or association, economic development corporation, Indigenous organization or association, and Indigenous for-profit or not-for-profit corporation, cooperative, institution, partnership, or joint venture.
- For Step 2 (Financial and Business Planning), the applicant must have completed Step 1 (Agricultural Opportunities Assessment) or an equivalent business planning process.
- Indigenous entrepreneurs are not eligible for this stream but may apply through the Indigenous Entrepreneur Stream.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This stream of the Indigenous Agriculture Development Program is open to any Indigenous government, community or organization in the Province of British Columbia, including:- Band or tribal councils- Governments of self-governing First Nations- Métis Nation Chartered Communities- Societies or Associations- Economic development corporations- Other Indigenous organizations or associations- Indigenous for-profit or not-for-profit corporations- Cooperatives or institutions- Other Indigenous businesses, partnerships, or joint venturesIndigenous entrepreneurs are not eligible for this stream but may qualify for the Indigenous Entrepreneur Stream.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant program has specific exclusions to ensure alignment with the objectives of promoting Indigenous involvement in the agriculture sector. The main restriction is on individual Indigenous entrepreneurs.
- Individual Indigenous entrepreneurs are not eligible for this stream of the program, but have a separate stream available to them.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports Indigenous agriculture and food sector development by funding feasibility assessments and business planning. Projects focus on planning and analysis to enhance agricultural opportunities and business viability.
- Feasibility assessment of agricultural development options and food security planning.
- Situation analysis, including reviewing current agriculture and food resources.
- Conducting economic analysis, including financial analysis and marketing opportunities.
- Conducting risk assessment and mitigation planning.
- Identifying enterprises with high success potential.
- Drafting estimates for infrastructure and start-up costs.
- Creating a comprehensive business plan with detailed financial analysis.
- Developing a marketing strategy for agricultural ventures.
- Community engagement activities to support project planning and implementation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers expenses related to activities that support informed decision-making and planning in Indigenous agriculture and food security sectors.
- Feasibility assessment of agricultural development options and food security planning.
- Business planning functions related to agriculture and food production and processing.
- Situation analysis, including inventories and review of current agriculture and food resources.
- Developing business strategies, including economic and financial analysis, marketing strategies, and risk assessment.
- Costs associated with community engagement events and activities supporting project goals.
- Honorariums for elders and knowledge holders participating in project activities.
- Procurement of local services, such as catering for community engagement events.
- Skills training and capacity building activities relevant to the project.
- Travel costs, provided they are reasonable and do not exceed 20% of the project cost within B.C.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program are based on eligibility and merit, aligning with the program’s objectives on supporting Indigenous peoples in the food and agriculture sector.
- Eligibility of Applicant: Must be an Indigenous government, community, or organization in British Columbia.
- Completion of Step 1 for Step 2 Applications: Applicants must have completed Step 1 or an equivalent business planning or assessment process for Financial and Business Planning projects.
- Priority to New Applicants: Preference is given to first-time applicants within the same fiscal year.
- Project Proposal Quality: Thoroughness, accuracy, and alignment with eligible activities and minimum deliverables.
- Consultant Qualifications: Utilization of a Qualified Business Consultant for project execution.
- Detailed Project Budget: Clear detailing of project budget, including use of optional Community Engagement Top-up Fund.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Ensure your organization is eligible to apply as per the program guidelines.
- Verify if you've completed the required prerequisites, Step 1 or an equivalent assessment.
- Step 2: Select a Qualified Business Consultant
- Review the list of qualified consultants available on the program's webpage.
- Contact program staff if assistance is needed in selecting a consultant.
- Consider using a trusted consultant not on the list by contacting program staff for approval.
- Step 3: Develop a Project Proposal
- Collaborate with your selected Business Consultant to draft a project proposal.
- Incorporate eligible activities and ensure minimum deliverables are addressed.
- Include a detailed project budget.
- If applying for the Community Engagement Top-up Fund, specify the intended use in the proposal.
- Step 4: Application Submission
- Complete the application form available on the program webpage.
- Submit the application and proposal as a digital document via email.
- Ensure to copy the Business Consultant in the submission email.
- Step 5: Await Application Review
- Expect a decision within three weeks of submission.
- Be prepared to respond to any follow-up requests for information from the program staff.
- Step 6: Project Approval and Implementation
- On approval, begin project work as per the proposal.
- Ensure the consultant submits a Final Report minimum two weeks before project end date.
- Review the Final Report, provide feedback, and approve by signing the Claim Form.
- Step 7: Completion and Evaluation
- Submit the signed Claim Form, Final Report, and invoice to the Ministry.
- Complete a short online survey regarding your project experience.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional information about the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program include guidelines for qualified consultants, project timelines, and payment procedures.
- Project timelines have been extended to a maximum of 150 days.
- Final Reports must include an executive summary, project overview, list of recommendations, references, and appendices for any calculations used.
- Payments will only be made to the Primary Consultant.
- Travel costs may be included but must not exceed 20% of the project cost and no travel outside of B.C. will be reimbursed.
- The Ministry reserves the right to remove a Qualified Business Consultant from the Qualified Consultant List if quality standards are not met.
- All Final Reports will be reviewed for thoroughness, accuracy, and responsiveness to agreed-upon deliverables.
grant_single_labels|contact
Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca
1-888-221-7141
Apply to this program
Empowering Indigenous Agriculture in British Columbia
The B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program is a tailored initiative aimed at fostering success among Indigenous communities, governments, and organizations within the agriculture sector. Through a structured two-step process, eligible participants gain access to planning, funding, and consultancy support to enhance their agricultural enterprises and food security.
In-Depth Exploration of the Indigenous Agriculture Development Program
The B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program supports Indigenous entities as they explore and develop agricultural opportunities in British Columbia. The program is designed to provide a structured pathway to planning and sustaining agricultural ventures through two distinct phases. The first, Agriculture Opportunities Assessment (Step 1), helps applicants assess the feasibility of agriculture-related initiatives by funding services up to $5,000, provided by Qualified Business Consultants. These services focus on conducting detailed analyses that include situation and asset evaluation, market opportunities, and SWOT assessments, among others—culminating in a comprehensive action plan with actionable recommendations.
The program also includes a unique feature of community involvement via the Community Engagement Top-up Fund. This fund offers up to $2,000 in additional finances to facilitate community engagement activities such as workshops, consultations, and skills training, ensuring local input and capacity building are integral to project planning and execution. This supports a holistic approach, ensuring that projects are not just top-down solutions but are grounded in community needs and perspectives.
Upon completion of the first step, participants can proceed to Financial and Business Planning (Step 2), with support of up to $10,000 for further project refinement. This phase focuses on in-depth financial and business strategies necessary for the long-term success of agricultural ventures. Applicants work closely with consultants to develop robust business plans, conduct financial analysis, and explore potential value-added opportunities which are essential to sustain agricultural businesses.
This program prioritizes projects with verified budget plans, ensuring that resources are used effectively. Notably, if project budgets exceed the allocated grant limits, the applicants bear the responsibility of covering the additional expenses, promoting accountability and meticulous financial planning from the outset.
Applications are handled methodically, with set intake periods that align with the fiscal funding cycle. This systematic approach to application ensures timely review and allocation of funds, optimizing resource distribution across Indigenous communities looking to develop their agriculture sectors. Post-approval, stringent follow-up procedures ensure that projects are implemented as proposed, with deliverables and outcomes meeting set quality and thoroughness standards as enforced by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
Through educational resources, consultancy, and financial support, the program not only addresses immediate logistical and planning needs but also empowers Indigenous communities to build a sustainable agricultural future. By leveraging this program, participants embrace the opportunity to drive economic growth, enhance food security, and preserve agricultural heritage within their communities, contributing meaningfully to the broader economic landscape of British Columbia.
