MRC La Matapédia — Program for Restoring Underutilized Agricultural Lands 2023-2025

• Completed and signed application form
• Agronomic characterization form
• Business plan or crop plan
• Lease agreement and landowner authorization, if applicable
• Machinery expense breakdown, if applicable

Who is eligible?

• Private businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Property owners or tenants of eligible agricultural land

Eligible expenses

• Land restoration work such as clearing, brush cutting, grinding, decompaction, and soil preparation
• Machinery use by the farmer
• Machinery rental and transport
• External labor for the work
• Agronomist fees for land characterization

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Liming and seed costs
• Purchase or rental of agricultural land
• Purchase of equipment or machinery
• Operating and administrative costs
• Costs already incurred before approval

Eligible geographic areas

• MRC of La Matapédia

• Applications are reviewed by the MRC’s development service and an advisory committee.
• Applications are scored using a selection grid published with the program.
• Higher-scoring projects are prioritized if funds are limited.
• Additional information may be requested during the review.
• If approved, funding is paid in stages based on work progress and supporting documents.

• The program runs from 2023 to 2025 or until funds are exhausted.
• The total program budget is $200,000.
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
• Projects may receive additional points if they restore several lands or land blocks.