MRC Acton — PDZA
Last Update: February 22, 2025
QC, Canada
Agricultural and forestry development in Acton region
MRC Acton — PDZA at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $40,950
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Grant Providers
- MRC Acton
Status
Open
Overview of the MRC Acton — PDZA program
The MRC Acton offers financial support up to $40,950 designed to foster agricultural development through initiatives targeting production, local food accessibility, workforce recruitment, forestry potential, and more. Eligible activities include collective projects like production, transformation, proximity marketing, and improvement of forest management practices.
Eligible projects & activities
- Support for initiatives related to agricultural production, marketing, and processing.
- Development of projects facilitating access to local foods.
- Support for agricultural projects aimed at the next generation and workforce recruitment and retention.
- Development of the full potential of forestry, including maple syrup production and wildlife management.
- Establishment of collective projects and initiatives for agricultural and forestry sectors.
- Implementation of strategies to enhance the visibility and market access of local products.
- Promotion and support for agrotourism and proximity-based marketing initiatives.
- Organizing and supporting events or activities that foster collaboration among producers.
- Efforts to improve economic and physical access to local agricultural products.
- Support for the recruitment and retention of the agricultural workforce.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 100,000
Launching a renewable energy initiative
$ 150,000
Developing a mobile health clinic
$ 60,000
Implementing a digital literacy program
$ 85,000
Developing an urban green space
$ 185,000
Enhancing a local dairy production facility
$ 90,000
Creating a community art space
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Acton — PDZA program
- The project must be related to agricultural development, market accessibility, support for agricultural succession, workforce recruitment and retention, or forest potential development.
- The project should encourage collaboration among agricultural producers, stakeholders, and forest professionals.
- The proposed initiatives should align with one of the orientations outlined in the PDZA, such as promoting local food accessibility or developing the forestry sector.
- The applicant must be part of or working with the MRC d'Acton community, demonstrating a commitment to the economic and strategic development of the local area.
Who is eligible?
- Collective agricultural initiatives focused on production, marketing, and transformation projects.
- Projects aimed at enhancing accessibility to local food.
- Agricultural projects supporting new and existing farmers with workforce development and retention.
- Forestry projects aiming to develop the full potential in areas such as maple, wildlife, and forest.
Eligible geographic areas
- MRC d'Acton
- Municipalities within the MRC d'Acton including Acton Vale, Roxton, Sainte-Christine, Upton, Saint-Théodore-d'Acton, and others.
Eligibility criteria of the MRC Acton — PDZA program
- Cohérence avec le diagnostic et la vision concertée.
- Faisabilité du projet ou de l'action.
- Représentativité de l'appui du milieu et conformité à la réalité régionale.
- Efficacité, mesurée par la précision, concrétude, priorités et lien avec le diagnostic.
How to apply to the MRC Acton — PDZA program
1
Understanding the program
- Carefully read the information available on the Agricultural Zone Development Plan (PDZA) on the MRC d'Acton's website.
- Identify the orientations and objectives of the PDZA that correspond to your project.
2
Pre-consultation (optional but recommended)
- Participate in events or meetings organized by the MRC to discuss your project and receive advice on the submission.
- Engage with representatives of the MRC to clarify your questions regarding the PDZA.
3
Preparation of the application file
- Develop a project plan aligned with the PDZA guidelines, detailing the objectives and planned actions.
- Gather the required documents, such as the estimated budget, a description of your project, and any other relevant documentation.
4
Submission of the request
- Submit your project to the designated representatives of the MRC of Acton, such as René Pedneault, by email or postal mail.
- Ensure that all documents are correctly filled out and included in your submission.
5
Follow-up on the request
- Confirm the receipt of your request by the MRC of Acton.
- Wait for a response or additional questions from the monitoring committee.
Additional information
- The Plan de Développement de la Zone Agricole (PDZA) is heavily focused on collaboration among agricultural producers to address common challenges and improve the agricultural environment in the MRC d'Acton region.
- A committee called 'comité de suivi' has been established to oversee the implementation of the PDZA and ensure the goals are met effectively.
- There is a significant emphasis on strengthening the links between agricultural production and local markets to increase the sale and consumption of local foods.
- The MRC d’Acton has a strong agricultural sector with 414 farms, making collaboration and community initiatives key elements of their strategy to adapt and grow the local market.
- Support for initiatives in agrotourism and local food marketing is part of the PDZA strategy, aiming to enhance the visibility and accessibility of local produce.
- The development of the agri-food chain, including the forests' potential and the use of sustainable resources, is a core part of the regional action plan.
Contact MRC Acton
rpeneault@mrcacton.qc.ca
450 546-3256