Perennial Crop Development Establishment
Charlottetown, PE, Canada
Funding to increase agricultural sustainability in PEI
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Prince Edward Island
- Department of Agriculture and Land (PEI)
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $20,000 to cover up to 50% of eligible expenses to support your high-value perennial crop production.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects and activities for the Perennial Crop Establishment and Efficiency Sub-Programs are designed to support the establishment, expansion, and enhancement of perennial crops to increase sustainability and market access. Below is a list of activities that qualify for support under these sub-programs.
- Purchasing and installing plants for new or expanding perennial crop enterprises.
- Installation of wind-resistant trellises as per recommended standards.
- Use of exclusion netting and weed control barriers.
- Application of mulch and seed for orchard or vineyard ground cover.
- Storage and processing systems and technologies for perennial crops, including cold storage and advanced packaging technologies.
- Capital equipment purchases related to perennial crop production.
- Adapting existing buildings for cold storage of perennial crops.
- Controlled atmosphere storage to enhance product quality and longevity.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$20,000
Toronto
Launching a perennial herb farm specializing in high-value medicinal plants with R&D and training
$20,000
Vancouver
Developing a new variety of high-yield blueberries through research and development
$20,000
Montreal
Creating an innovative apple orchard with pest-resistant apple breeds and drone technology
$20,000
Calgary
Establishing a research-focused lavender farm to develop high-yield and drought-resistant varieties
$20,000
Ottawa
Initiating a truffle orchard with specialized equipment and skilled workforce training
$20,000
Kelowna
Implementing a sustainable organic vineyard with R&D and workforce training
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for the Perennial Crop Development Program grant are as follows:
- Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups;
- Agricultural producers;
- Small to medium-sized agri-businesses;
- Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations;
- Agricultural co-ops; and
- Others may be considered upon request.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Perennial Crop Development Program supports a variety of recipients aiming to enhance sustainability in the agriculture sector. Eligible entities include individuals and organizations involved in agricultural production and agri-businesses.
- Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
- Agricultural producers
- Small to medium-sized agri-businesses
- Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations
- Agricultural co-ops
- Others may be considered upon request
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The Perennial Crop Development Program has certain restrictions regarding eligible activities, but it does not specifically list types of companies or industries that are wholly ineligible. The program outlines expenses and activities that are ineligible for funding consideration, which indirectly affects the eligibility of certain company activities. Below is a summary of these ineligible activities:
- Expenses related to forage/fodder crops, land clearing, and drainage
- Activities related to aquaponic food production, aquaculture, seaweed, fish and seafood production and processing (except international marketing and traceability activities for fish and seafood)
- Meal expenses (including hospitality and hosting of events)
- In-kind services (including wages and labour)
- Overhead and/or administration costs
- On-going business costs, including replacing perennial plants lost to disease, storm damage, winterkill, or costs of herbicides, fertilizers, crop protectants
- Expenses incurred prior to project application
- BRM-type activities
- Activities that do not provide a direct benefit to the Sector
- Activities which provide tax credits or rebates
- Development and enforcement of regulations
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Perennial Crop Development Program covers eligible expenses related to establishing and improving the efficiency of perennial crops.
- Purchasing and installing plants
- Wind resilient trellises
- Exclusion netting
- Weed control barriers
- Mulch
- Seed for orchard/vineyard ground cover
- Storage and processing systems for perennial crops
- Harvesting equipment
- Packaging technology
- Cold storage and controlled atmosphere storage
- Capital equipment purchases
- Adapting existing buildings for cold storage
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Companies eligible for this grant must be located in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, as it is a regional program administered by the PEI Department of Agriculture. The program focuses on enhancing sustainability in the agriculture sector within PEI.
- Prince Edward Island, Canada
grant_single_labels|register
Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
- Familiarize yourself with the Perennial Crop Development Program guidelines.
- Understand the eligible recipients, activities, expenses, and funding limits for the sub-programs.
Step 2: Prepare Application
- Collect necessary documents and information such as proof of land ownership or long-term lease agreement.
- Contact the PEI Department of Agriculture for site assessment or development support if needed.
- Ensure that the project aligns with ecological and economic benefits as outlined in the guidelines.
Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form with detailed descriptions of the project attributes and anticipated outcomes.
- Prepare to cover all incurred costs if the project is not approved.
Step 4: Submit Application
- Send the completed application via email to perennial@gov.pe.ca with the program name in the subject line.
- Alternatively, submit via regular mail to the PEI Department of Agriculture, 11 Kent Street, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown PE C1A 7N8.
Step 5: Await Assessment
- Applications will be assessed on a first come-first serve basis.
- Projects are evaluated for merit and impact, and funding eligibility based on availability.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional conditions and considerations worth knowing by the grant applicant include:
- Applicants are encouraged to contact the PEI Department of Agriculture for support required for site assessment and development.
- The applicant must be the current owner of the land or provide evidence of a long-term lease agreement.
- If equipment is planned to be leased, additional funding guidelines will apply.
- Approved projects must be completed within the timeframe outlined in the funding agreement.
- Projects may be funded below the maximum contribution rate upon assessment and availability of funding.
- Projects with demonstrable links to increasing public trust may be eligible for additional project funding.
- Projects impacting more than one Atlantic province may be eligible for regional funding.
- A complete evaluation of the program is planned to ensure objectives and results are achieved.
- Sustainable CAP programs consider the needs of under-represented groups, including Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
grant_single_labels|contact
perennial@gov.pe.ca
(902) 368-4880
Apply to this program
Perennial Crop Development Program: Boosting Sustainability in PEI’s Agriculture Sector
The Perennial Crop Development Program aims to enhance sustainability in Prince Edward Island's agriculture sector by promoting the establishment and efficiency of perennial crop production. This program supports a variety of activities, offering financial assistance to eligible participants including Mi’kmaq First Nations, agricultural producers, and small to medium-sized agri-businesses.
Understanding the Perennial Crop Development Program for Agricultural Advancement
The Perennial Crop Development Program is a transformative initiative designed to support the agricultural sector in Prince Edward Island (PEI) by promoting sustainability through the cultivation of perennial crops. Perennial crops, which include tree fruits, berries, nuts, and other plants that do not need to be replanted annually, provide numerous ecological and economic benefits. These crops can significantly improve soil health by increasing carbon levels, and they also play a crucial role in reducing soil erosion, enhancing water-use efficiency, and optimizing nutrient cycling, contributing positively to the environment and the farming economy.
This comprehensive program is divided into two main sub-programs: the Perennial Crop Establishment Sub-Program and the Perennial Crop Efficiency Sub-Program. Each sub-program focuses on different aspects of developing and supporting perennial crop cultivation, from the initial establishment through to enhancing production efficiency and market access.
The Perennial Crop Establishment Sub-Program is designed to kickstart and expand high-value perennial crop enterprises by providing financial support for various activities. Eligible costs under this sub-program include the purchase and installation of plants, infrastructure for wind resilient trellises, the addition of exclusion netting, and implementation of weed control barriers and mulching. It also supports the acquisition of specific seeds for orchard or vineyard ground cover. Importantly, this sub-program emphasizes adopting innovative practices that leverage leading-edge production technologies in order to maximize cost-efficiency, improve product quality, and broaden market reach. However, the support is strictly for new and expanding projects, explicitly excluding expenses related to maintenance or replacement of existing perennial crops.
The Perennial Crop Efficiency Sub-Program, on the other hand, focuses on projects that incorporate technologies aimed at improving the efficiency of perennial crop production. This includes funding for storage and processing systems, adaptation of existing buildings for cold storage, and purchasing capital equipment. Innovations in packaging technology, the establishment of controlled atmosphere storage, and the development of capabilities for cold storage are also financially supported under this sub-program. The goal is to reduce production costs, add value, enhance product quality, and increase market accessibility for perennial crop farmers.
Both sub-programs under the Perennial Crop Development Program are equipped with a flexible funding framework. The Perennial Crop Establishment Sub-Program can fund up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $20,000 per project, with an overall cap of $100,000 per recipient under the Sustainable CAP Framework Agreement, which runs from 2023 to 2028. Meanwhile, the Perennial Crop Efficiency Sub-Program offers up to 50% funding for storage, processing, and packaging projects, capped at $50,000 per project, and 35% for production efficiency projects, up to a maximum of $15,000.
To ensure accessibility and widespread eligibility, the program is open to a variety of participants, including but not limited to Mi’kmaq First Nations, Indigenous groups, agricultural producers, small to medium-sized agricultural businesses, and agricultural co-ops. Participants are encouraged to contact PEI's Department of Agriculture for assistance in site assessment and development, ensuring that projects are well-planned and strategically implemented.
Reflecting the program’s commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural practices, it also incorporates guidelines and support resources such as the "Site Assessment, Selection and Development for Perennial Crops" guide and recommendations for wind-resilient trellis design. These resources are crucial for applicants to understand and prepare their projects for both ecological and economic success.
The Perennial Crop Development Program not only enhances the sustainability and profitability of PEI’s agriculture sector but also supports a broader vision of ecological stewardship and productivity improvement. By encouraging the cultivation of perennial crops, the program fosters an agricultural environment that is resilient, efficient, and forward-looking, helping farmers utilize their land more effectively while contributing positively to the environment and the community.
