B.C. — Agri-Business Planning Program
BC, Canada
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program provides funding support for agricultural producers and processors in British Columbia to enhance business decision-making and development through specialized training and planning services.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program provides financial support to primary agricultural producers and food and beverage processors for informed decision making and business development. The program offers funding under two streams: Agri-business skills and leadership development and Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery, covering activities like specialized training, financial analysis, business strategy, and disaster recovery planning.
grant_single_labels|projects
This program specifically supports businesses that are registered and operate within British Columbia, Canada. Only these geographical areas are eligible for funding through this program.
- Businesses must be registered and operational within British Columbia.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$11,250
Provide specialized leadership development training for local organic farmers
$9,750
Offer a succession planning workshop series for family-owned farms based
$15,750
Develop an emergency response plan for dairy farms
$13,500
Develop a detailed business continuity and risk assessment plan for a microbrewery
$10,875
Implement financial literacy courses for young agripreneurs
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be either a primary agriculture producer or an agriculture, food, and beverage processor.
- For primary agriculture producers, produce must be 100% grown or raised in British Columbia and intended for sale.
- For processors, products must be processed and packaged in B.C., with at least 51% of production costs originating in B.C.
- The business must be a B.C. registered, taxable entity like a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, with a GST and business number.
- The business must file income tax under the Income Tax Act in British Columbia.
- The business must report total annual gross revenues greater than $50,000 in the previous year to Canada Revenue Agency.
- All proprietors, partners, members, or shareholders must be residents of British Columbia.
- Applicants must disclose any other funding received from B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food Programs or other B.C. provincial programs during the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program must be either primary agriculture producers or agriculture, food, and beverage processors operating in British Columbia. Primary producers must focus on growing or raising fresh food or agricultural products that are fully grown or raised in B.C. and intended for sale. Conversely, agriculture, food, and beverage processors must process and package their products in B.C., with at least 51% of the direct cost, such as raw materials and labor, sourced from within the province. Additionally, applicants must operate as registered businesses taxable in B.C., have a GST and business number, and report an annual gross revenue exceeding $50,000. All proprietors, partners, or shareholders should be residents of B.C., and any existing funding from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food must be disclosed. The program also encourages Indigenous applicants and offers flexible delivery to reduce barriers and promote accessibility.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is not available to certain companies and industries based on their status or main activities. These restrictions safeguard the purpose of the grant for the benefit of the specific sectors it targets.
- Companies that are not registered taxable entities in British Columbia.
- Farms or processing businesses that do not meet the gross revenue criteria of over $50,000 annually.
- Businesses where proprietors, partners, members, or shareholders are not residents of British Columbia.
- Entities that do not disclose funding from other B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food programs during the Sustainable-CAP Agreement.
- Farms involved in activities such as providing landscaping, riding lessons, or boarding horses, which are considered non-commodity income.
- Businesses involved in agri-tourism, sales of forestry products, or other similar non-commodity activities.
- Companies not primarily engaged in growing, raising, or processing agricultural products in British Columbia.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program offers funding for projects that enhance business skills and planning capabilities within the agriculture sector. The eligible activities aim to support improved business management and recovery planning.
- Learning and specialized training in business management areas such as financial analysis, cash flow management, and human resource management.
- Participation in business leadership courses and management conferences.
- Business planning services focusing on disaster recovery, emergency preparedness, and strategy development.
- Consultation for risk assessment, succession planning, and value-added ventures.
- On-site consultant meetings to provide advisory services and plan evaluations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses related to agri-business skills development and business planning for the agriculture and food sector.
- Learning and specialized training, courses, registration, fees, and tuition for business management topics such as financial analysis, cash flow management, human resource management, cost of production, and benchmarking.
- Business leadership and management conferences.
- Business planning services and coaching from a business consultant for creating, updating, or renewing a business plan, focusing on areas like disaster recovery, emergency planning, business structure, strategy, cash flow, financial analysis, human resources, product development, production economics, risk assessment and mitigation, succession/transition planning, and value-added ventures.
- Review and evaluation of existing business plans, strategies, financial, and other relevant documents.
- Meetings between consultant and business stakeholders for project planning, goal setting, advisory services, coaching, review of analyses, options, and development of a plan.
- Travel costs for the consultant for on-site meetings with business stakeholders, subject to reasonable limits and within the province of B.C.
- Production of written business plans and supporting documents.
grant_single_labels|register
Steps to apply for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program application:
- Step 1: Review Eligibility
- Ensure that you meet all eligibility criteria as a primary agriculture producer or an agriculture, food, and beverage processor in B.C.
- Verify business revenue requirements and ownership criteria.
- Step 2: Choose Stream and Plan
- Decide if you are applying for Stream 1 (Agri-business skills and leadership development) or Stream 2 (Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery).
- Prepare the necessary documentation and plans according to your chosen stream.
- Step 3: Complete Application Forms
- Access the Program Guide to understand detailed requirements.
- Download and fill out all required forms such as the Learning Action Plan or the Taking Stock Action Plan.
- Step 4: Assemble Supporting Documents
- Gather all necessary documentation such as a B.C. business registration, GST numbers, and income tax filings.
- Include any financial or training documentation relevant to the program stream you are applying for.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Upload completed application forms and documents through the ministry's Program Operation Data System (PODS) Applicant Portal.
- Ensure that all signatures and necessary attachments are included.
- Double-check that you have met all requirements and deadlines.
- Step 6: Application Confirmation
- Receive confirmation of submission through the online portal or via email.
- Keep the confirmation email for reference and future inquiries.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program offers resources and guidelines aimed at supporting agriculture and food businesses in British Columbia.
- Indigenous applicants are encouraged to reach out to program staff with any questions.
- Program contact information: Email Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca or call AgriService at 1-888-221-7141.
- A variety of forms and resources are provided including program guides, application checklists, and sample templates for business planning.
- Program operations are managed through the Program Operation Data System (PODS) Applicant Portal.
- The current application intake is now closed, with the next intake expected to open later in 2024.
grant_single_labels|contact
Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca
1-888-221-7141
Apply to this program
Empowering B.C. Agri-Businesses Through Strategic Planning
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program is dedicated to empowering local agricultural and food processing entities with financial aid aimed at enhancing business strategies and resilience. Through its dual-stream approach, the program fosters skill development and robust business planning to sustain and grow the agri-business sector.
Extensive Insights on the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program stands as a pillar of support for agricultural producers and processors in British Columbia. By offering financial assistance through a structured reimbursement model, the program not only aids current business needs but also invests in future sustainability and disaster preparedness. Recognized for its comprehensive nature, this initiative is split into two main streams: Agri-business skills and leadership development, and Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery, each targeting distinct but complementary aspects of business development.
Stream 1 focuses on enhancing the agri-business competencies of business owners and key managers. It covers a wide range of educational initiatives from financial analysis to human resource management, thus equipping participants with the necessary tools to manage, innovate, and lead effectively. The program offers a reimbursement of up to 70 percent of eligible training costs, with a reimbursement ceiling of $2,000 per fiscal year. This investment in skill development ensures that businesses remain competitive and are led by informed decision-makers.
Stream 2, meanwhile, addresses business continuity through strategic planning and disaster recovery measures. Vital in today’s climate of unpredictability, this stream provides the framework for businesses to assess potential risks, strategize continuity plans, and implement financial assessments for long-term efficacy. Whether for an individual business or a group, this stream facilitates comprehensive planning services that are pivotal in navigating challenges posed by unforeseen events like natural disasters or pandemics.
A hallmark of this program is its dedication to inclusivity and adaptability, particularly for Indigenous agricultural businesses, recognizing their unique challenges and offering tailored support to overcome them. Such commitment ensures that all segments of the B.C. agricultural sector can participate equitably in the program and leverage its benefits to the fullest extent.
While applications for the current intake have reached their maximum capacity, the next opportunity will be available later in 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare by reviewing the program guide and completing relevant preparatory forms. This forward-thinking approach, coupled with ongoing resources and support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, positions participants to navigate their businesses toward resilience and success.
Ultimately, the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program is not merely a funding avenue but a comprehensive support framework aimed at fostering robust, sustainable growth within the provincial agri-business milieu, thereby reinforcing the sector's contributions to the economy and community at large.
