How much funding can be received?

The "PROGRAMME D’AIDE FINANCIÈRE 2023-2025" aims to encourage the rejuvenation of underutilized agricultural lands in La Matapédia with a focus on increasing agricultural production, supporting existing businesses, and fostering new agricultural enterprises by providing a maximum funding of $20,000 per project. Eligible activities include land clearing, soil preparation, and related expenses to bring unused lands back into agricultural production, with restrictions on pre-existing expenses and certain types of investments.

grant_single_labels|projects

The grant is designed to incentivize the recultivation of underutilized agricultural lands in the MRC de La Matapédia region. The eligible activities primarily focus on the physical restoration and preparation of these lands for renewed agricultural use.

Clearing of overgrown vegetation including the removal of shrubs and trees.
Land preparation activities such as decompaction and soil improvement.
Utilization of agricultural machinery for land preparation and improvement.
Professional assessments by agronomists to determine the agricultural potential of the land.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for the grant are linked to the applicant's status and the condition of the land they wish to cultivate.

Applicants must be owners or tenants of land located within the MRC de La Matapédia, which has been unexploited for a minimum of 5 years and must be characterized by an agronomist with potential for recultivation ascertained.
Alternatively, applicants can own or lease land registered in the MAPAQ inventory and located within the MRC de La Matapédia, which has not been characterized yet. In this case, an agronomic potential characterization by an agronomist is required.
Applicants must possess an agricultural operator's number (NIM) or a beneficiary NIM accompanied by a business plan covering at least three years.
If a tenant, the applicant must have an agricultural lease for a minimum duration of 8 years and possess written authorization from the landowner.
The land to be cultivated must generate income within a three-year timeframe post-cultivation, with an exception for fruit orchard projects.
The land must be situated within a permanent agricultural zone within the MRC de La Matapédia.
The land should not have been reforested, or the wood must have been harvested upon maturity.
A minimum of one hectare must be involved in the cultivation project.
The land should not have been maintained, cultivated, or used for other agricultural purposes for at least 5 years.
Applicants are required to demonstrate the seriousness and viability of the project through a business plan for new enterprises or a crop plan for existing businesses.
Applicants must commit to funding the portion of the work not covered by this grant or another financial program.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Applicants can be either private enterprises or non-profit organizations who meet specific eligibility criteria, including being an owner or lessee of land that has been unused for agricultural purposes for at least 5 years. Lands must be located within the territory of the MRC de La Matapédia and must have an agronomic assessment of their potential for agricultural recovery, either previously documented or newly conducted.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers expenses associated with the reclamation of unused agricultural land.

Fees associated with the reclamation of unused land including clearing, cleaning, grinding, loosening, and soil preparation, for up to 50% of the total cost of the work, with a maximum of $2,500 per hectare.
Expenses incurred by the farmer for the use of their machinery for up to 50% of the total cost of the work.
Rental of machinery for cutting trees and shrubs.
Rental of machinery for grinding woody material.
Rental of machinery for soil work.
Transport fees for machinery.
External labor costs for carrying out the work.
Professional agronomist fees for characterizing the agronomic potential of the land (up to $500 per producer).
Only expenses incurred after the acceptance of the financial aid request by the MRC de La Matapédia are eligible.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies located in specific geographical areas determined by the funding body. The eligible locations are targeted within a particular region to promote agricultural revitalization.

Properties situated on the territory of the MRC de La Matapédia.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on a set of criteria designed to prioritize those with the highest potential for successful recultivation of agricultural lands.

Projects with the potential to enable the re-cultivation of multiple parcels of land receive additional points.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to apply for the PROGRAMME D’AIDE FINANCIÈRE 2023-2025 for agricultural land reclamation:

Step 1: Review Eligibility and Program Details
Ensure your project and land meet all specified eligibility criteria outlined in the program guide.
Familiarize yourself with the program objectives, funding limits, and admissible expenses.
Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
Complete the official application form with accurate information.
Prepare supporting documents such as agronomic characterization sheet, business plan or crop plan.
If applicable, collect signed land lease agreements and owner’s authorization (procuration).
Step 3: Application Submission
Scan or prepare digital copies of all required forms and documents.
Email your completed application package to administration@mrcmatapedia.quebec.
Step 4: Follow-up and Additional Requests
Be prepared to provide additional information if requested during the evaluation process.
Step 5: Project Implementation and Reporting
Begin project work, adhering to program guidelines, and keep detailed records.
Submit periodic progress reports, including before-and-after photos and financial records, as requested.
Step 6: Reimbursement
Submit invoices and necessary documentation to receive reimbursement as per the financial aid modalities.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Applicants are required to submit a detailed report at the end of the project, describing the work performed, areas cultivated, any challenges faced, along with before and after photos of the land.
The grant entails a structured reimbursement process where progress payments are made in up to four installments based on the completion of at least 25% increments of the work (excluding taxes).
The final 25% of the financial assistance is disbursed after the project completion and submission of a document detailing the work undertaken, supported by photographic evidence and invoices.
If the grant recipient conducts the work, they must maintain and provide a work log to the MRC for each funding request.
Outcomes and findings from the funded projects must be made available to the MRC and a monitoring committee to enhance understanding of revitalizing unused agricultural lands.

grant_single_labels|contact

administration@mrcmatapedia.quebec

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Apply to this program

Incentive for Re-Cultivation of Devalued Agricultural Lands

This grant program aims to support the re-cultivation of devalued agricultural lands (TAD) in La Matapédia, Quebec, by providing financial assistance to eligible projects. Its purpose is to enhance agricultural productivity and support both existing and emerging agro-enterprises.

Comprehensive Explanation of the TAD Incentive Program

The "Incitatif à la remise en culture des terres agricoles dévalorisées" (TAD) is a targeted initiative under the "PROGRAMME D’AIDE FINANCIÈRE 2023-2025". It seeks to rejuvenate agricultural potential in La Matapédia, Quebec, an area defined by numerous plots of devalued lands, with a specific focus on lands left fallow for over three years. This program, boasting a total budget of $200,000, is geared towards fostering agricultural development and agro-food activities within the region across 2023, 2024, and 2025, or until the allocated budget is depleted.

The TAD lands are categorized based on their stage of evolution, ranging from low herbaceous stages to tall shrub stages. The restoration complexity and cost naturally increase with the advancement of this growth. In an effort to kickstart agricultural productivity on these lands, the program offers up to $20,000 per producer's NIM (Identification Number) to fund re-cultivation projects. While meeting eligibility conditions lays down a framework for application, it doesn't automatically guarantee financial support, as projects are competitively assessed based on a specific evaluation grid developed for this initiative. Higher scoring projects are given precedence, encouraging ambitious plans that cover multiple lands or land blocks.

Eligibility for the program extends to landowners or tenants within the MRC who can prove the agricultural potential of the lands via either prior documentation from the MAPAQ inventory or through recent agricultural characterization. Key objectives of the TAD program include bolstering existing agricultural enterprises, assisting new start-ups, and fostering emerging productions, including those focused on agricultural diversity and new farmers. A preferential treatment is given to projects embracing diverse or innovative agricultural practices and those prepared to support the establishment of newer generations in farming.

Financial assistance under the TAD program can cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses, with specific provisions such as maximum assistance of $2,500 per hectare. Eligible expenses include costs associated with clearing, soil preparation, and employing agricultural machinery, with detailed scrutiny to ensure funds are only used post-acceptance of the aid application by MRC Matapédia. This meticulous approach to expense management, alongside an evaluative review upon project completion, ensures that the integrity and purpose of the funding are maintained.

Moreover, detailed tasks, expected timelines, and visible progression in land cultivation are prerequisites for fund disbursement. This ensures that stakeholders remain accountable while facilitating substantial revitalization of the region’s agricultural landscape. Four progressive payments are planned to align with work milestones, capped with a final installment issued only upon submission of comprehensive completion reports and supporting documents.

Engagement with the "Incitatif à la remise en culture" could prove transformative for both the land and local communities. By bringing dormant lands back into productive use, the program advocates for regional growth, sustainability, and agricultural diversity, thus supporting the MRC’s larger strategic goal of establishing a robust and resilient agro-food sector. Applicants are encouraged to present detailed business or cropping plans, further emphasizing the project's seriousness and viability. Successful projects will also contribute findings and insights back to the MRC to enhance regional agricultural strategies and support the continuity of such helpful initiatives in the future.