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.
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grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
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- 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)
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grant_card_status|open
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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
Yes, there are eligible projects or activities for this grant.
Eligible activities are categorized under two streams: Agri-business skills and leadership development, and Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery.
- Stream 1: Learning and specialized training, courses, registration, fees, and tuition for business management and leadership.
- Stream 2: Business planning services and coaching from a business consultant for disaster recovery, emergency planning, business structures, strategy, financial analysis, HR, product development, risk assessment, succession planning, value-added ventures.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$11,250
Vancouver
Provide specialized leadership development training for local organic farmers
$9,750
Kamloops
Offer a succession planning workshop series for family-owned farms based
$15,750
Richmond
Develop an emergency response plan for dairy farms
$13,500
Kelowna
Develop a detailed business continuity and risk assessment plan for a microbrewery
$10,875
Abbotsford
Implement financial literacy courses for young agripreneurs
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program is designed to support primary agricultural producers and agriculture, food, and beverage processors with informed decision-making and business development. Eligible applicants must meet specific criteria related to their business type, location, and financial performance.
- Must be either a primary agriculture producer or an agriculture, food, and beverage processor.
- Primary agriculture producers must grow or raise fresh food or agricultural products which are 100% grown or raised in British Columbia and intended for sale.
- Agriculture, food, and beverage processors must process and package products in B.C. with 51% or more of the direct cost of production being sourced from B.C.
- Farm or processing business must be a B.C. registered business taxable entity (e.g., sole proprietor, partnership, corporation) with a GST and business number.
- Must file income tax under the Income Tax Act in British Columbia.
- Report total annual gross revenues greater than $50,000 in the previous year to the Canada Revenue Agency.
- All proprietors, partners, members, or shareholders must be residents of British Columbia.
- Disclose any funding received or being received from other B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food Programs or other Province of B.C. programs during the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable-CAP) Agreement.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program grant. The grant supports primary agricultural producers and agriculture, food, and beverage processors who meet specific criteria.
- Primary agriculture producer
- Agriculture, food, and beverage processor
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. Ineligible companies include those involved in activities such as custom work, riding lessons, or boarding horses, as well as businesses that generate income from non-commodity sectors.
- Custom work (providing services to people engaged in farming activities, e.g., landscaping)
- Riding lessons
- Boarding horses
- Income from non-commodity sectors (e.g., aquaculture, raising pets, agri-tourism income, sales of forestry products, and some agro-forestry products)
- Preparation of legal documents, contracts, and/or formal agreements
- Accounting, bookkeeping, income tax preparation, and other costs associated with implementing the action plan
- Gathering data such as soil analysis, tissue analysis/germination, and seed viability testing, crop scouting activities
- Preparation/compilation of applications and/or forms for other provincial or federal programs (e.g., crop insurance, AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriRecovery, WorkSafe BC)
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant.
- Learning and specialized training
- Courses, registration, fees, and tuition for business management
- Travel costs for the consultant for on-site meetings
- Production of written business plan and supporting documents
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is eligible for businesses operating in British Columbia, Canada.
- Primary agriculture producers growing or raising fresh food or agricultural products in B.C.
- Agriculture, food, and beverage processors processing and packaging products in B.C.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Complete and submit the program application.
- Step 2: Ensure your application is submitted before the deadline as late applications will not be accepted.
- Step 3: If applying for Stream 1, register and pay for your learning and specialized training by March 15, 2024, and submit final documents for reimbursement within 30 days of training registration.
- Step 4: If applying for Stream 2, make sure all projects are within 90 days of initiation date and submit final documents for reimbursement within 30 days of project completion.
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
B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program Summary
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program offers financial support to agricultural producers and processors in British Columbia to facilitate informed decision-making and business development. Funding is provided under two streams: Agri-business skills and leadership development, and Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery.
Understanding the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) is a vital financial initiative aimed at bolstering the agricultural and food processing industries in British Columbia. This program caters to primary agriculture producers and the agriculture, food, and beverage processors within the province. It provides funding to support strategic business planning, enhance business skills, and ensure businesses can prepare for and recover from disasters. The goal is to foster sustainable growth, resiliency, and improved business practices among industry stakeholders. This article delves into the specifics of the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program, detailing its funding streams, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and key benefits.
Program Overview
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program is designed to assist businesses in the agricultural sector by offering financial support for activities that promote informed decision-making and robust business development. The program is divided into two distinct funding streams:
- Stream 1: Agri-business skills and leadership development – This stream focuses on enhancing the business management knowledge and leadership capabilities of business owners and key managers through specialized training and conferences.
- Stream 2: Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery – This stream aims to support businesses in conducting thorough business planning, ensure preparedness for emergencies, and develop recovery plans in the event of disasters.
Funding Details
The program operates on a reimbursement basis, with applicants needing to front their own costs and then apply for reimbursement upon project completion. The funding specifics for each stream are as follows:
- Stream 1: Provides reimbursement of up to 70% of eligible costs, with a maximum contribution of $2,000. The minimum reimbursement amount is $500.
- Stream 2: Offers reimbursement of up to $7,500 for individual business applications and up to $22,500 for group applications involving multiple businesses (e.g., $15,000 for two applicants, $22,500 for three or more applicants). This stream also allows for interim payments.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding under the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program, applicants must meet several specific criteria:
- Primary Agriculture Producers:
- Must grow or raise fresh food or agricultural products entirely within British Columbia, intended for sale.
- Agriculture, Food, and Beverage Processors:
- Must process and package products within B.C., with at least 51% of the direct costs originating in B.C.
- Must use B.C.-sourced raw materials when available in sufficient quantities.
- All applicants must be B.C. registered businesses, taxable entities with a GST number, and must file income tax under the Income Tax Act in British Columbia.
- Annual gross revenues must exceed $50,000 in the previous year as reported to the Canada Revenue Agency.
- Applicants must disclose any funding received from other B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food programs or other Province of B.C. programs during the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable-CAP) Agreement period.
Indigenous Applicants
Understanding the unique operational, regulatory, and cultural contexts of Indigenous businesses, the program is committed to providing flexible support to ensure these businesses can access funding. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to reach out to program staff for tailored guidance and support.
Application Process and Timelines
The next intake for the program is expected to open later in 2024. It is important for prospective applicants to adhere to the specific timelines and requirements for their chosen funding stream:
- Stream 1: Applicants must register and pay for their training by March 15, 2024, and submit all final documents for reimbursement within 30 days of training registration.
- Stream 2: All projects must be completed within 90 days of the initiation date, with final documents submitted within 30 days of project completion.
Application Steps
To apply for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program, follow these steps:
- Download and review the program guide and application checklist.
- Complete and submit the program application form for one or both streams.
- Submit documents for reimbursement requests, including invoices and receipts, through the Program Operation Data System (PODS) Applicant Portal.
Ensure all applications are submitted on time as late submissions will not be accepted.
Eligible Activities and Expenses
Stream 1: Agri-business Skills and Leadership Development
Eligible activities under this stream include specialized training, courses, registration, fees, and tuition related to business management (e.g., financial analysis, cash flow management, human resources) and business leadership. Business management conferences are also eligible. However, travel costs, software, equipment, and costs incurred before the project start date are ineligible.
Stream 2: Business Planning, Preparedness, and Disaster Recovery
This stream supports activities such as business planning services and coaching from consultants to update or create business plans focusing on disaster recovery, emergency planning, business strategy, financial analysis, human resources, production economics, risk assessment, succession planning, and value-added ventures. Eligible costs include consultant travel for on-site meetings, provided they are reasonable and within budget constraints. However, expenses like legal document preparation, acquiring capital assets, and bookkeeping are ineligible.
Key Benefits
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program offers numerous benefits, such as:
- Enhanced business knowledge and leadership skills for owners and managers.
- Improved business resilience through comprehensive planning and preparedness.
- Financial support to mitigate the impact of disasters, ensuring business continuity.
- Access to specialized expertise and consultancy services tailored to agricultural and processing businesses.
- Opportunity for Indigenous businesses to receive tailored support, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding the application process, eligibility criteria, or any other program-related questions, applicants are encouraged to contact program staff via email at Agribusiness@gov.bc.ca or call AgriService at 1-888-221-7141.
Conclusion
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program is an invaluable resource for agricultural producers and processors in British Columbia. By offering financial assistance for strategic planning and leadership development, the program aims to ensure the sustainable growth and resilience of the sector. Prospective applicants should prepare their documentation and application materials in advance, keeping an eye out for the next intake period in late 2024.
