)
MRC Témiscouata — Program for Restoring Underutilized Agricultural Lands (TAD)
QC, Canada
Financial Incentive for Agricultural Land Revitalization
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateMay 24, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- MRC Témiscouata
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The MRC Témiscouata's Program for Restoring Underutilized Agricultural Lands (TAD) provides funding up to $12,500 per project to support the reclamation of abandoned agricultural lands for increased agricultural production. Eligible activities include clearing, soil preparation, and other related restoration efforts to bring underutilized lands back to productive use.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant offers structured financing modalities designed to assist in the revitalization of underutilized agricultural lands. The modalities focus on advancing project progress and ensuring compliance with financial and operational milestones.
- Maximum 4 payments, proportionate to the progress of work, distributed in minimum tranches of 25% of expenses (before taxes).
- The final 25% of the financial assistance is released after the completion of the work, within 30 days following the submission of a report detailing the completed work, supported by photographs and accompanied by invoices and other justificatory documents (such as hours worked and costs).
- A log of the work must be maintained and submitted to the MRC with each request for disbursement.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects under the MRC Témiscouata Program for Restoring Underutilized Agricultural Lands are focused on reinstating agricultural productivity and fostering new agricultural ventures. The activities aim to revitalize lands that have been inactive for a significant period.
- Reclamation and cultivation of agricultural lands that have been unused for over five years.
- Implementation of projects that support the establishment of new agricultural businesses.
- Activities that diversify agricultural production and support emerging agricultural practices.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 12,500
Reactivating 4 hectares for medicinal herb production
$ 12,500
Restoring 5 hectares for organic vegetable production
$ 12,500
Revitalizing 6 hectares for sustainable fruit orchards
$ 12,500
Converting 3 hectares for heritage grain cultivation
$ 12,500
Preparing 4 hectares for agroforestry systems
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by several crucial criteria related to the applicant's ownership and the condition of the land.
- The applicant must be either the owner or the lessee of a piece of land that has remained unused for over 5 years.
- If the land has not been characterized by an agronomist, it must be part of the MAPAQ inventory, necessitating an agronomic potential characterization and fringe state assessment by a certified agronomist.
- The applicant must hold a NIM of an agricultural operator or beneficiary.
- If a lessee, a minimum three-year lease for agricultural purposes with written authorization from the landowner is required.
- The land must be located within the MRC de Témiscouata territory, in a permanent agricultural zone.
- The project should facilitate the cultivation of at least 2 hectares of land.
- The land must not have been maintained or used for any agricultural purposes for at least the past 5 years.
- The project needs to demonstrate seriousness and viability through a business plan for new businesses or a cultivation plan for existing ones.
- The applicant must commit to financing the portion of the project not covered by this or any other funding program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the MRC Témiscouata Program for Restoring Underutilized Agricultural Lands (TAD) include both private businesses and non-profit organizations. Specifically, applicants must either own or lease undervalued agricultural lands identified in the MAPAQ inventory or have been characterized by an agronomist. Additionally, these lands must not have been used for agricultural purposes in the past five years and must be located within a permanent agricultural zone in the MRC de Témiscouata territory. Applicants must possess a NIM (agricultural producer or beneficiary number) and, if leasing, a minimum three-year agricultural lease is required with the owner's written consent. Furthermore, a business plan for new enterprises or a crop plan for existing businesses is necessary, alongside a commitment to finance any portion of the project not covered by the program or another funding source.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers expenses related to the restoration of underutilized agricultural lands.
- Costs associated with re-cultivating abandoned land, including clearing, breaking up, shredding, decompacting, and soil preparation, up to 50% of the total work costs.
- Expenses incurred by the agricultural operator for machinery use or personal labor, capped at 50% of the total work costs.
- Machinery rental for tree and shrub cutting.
- Machinery rental for shredding woody material.
- Machinery rental for soil tillage.
- Transportation costs for machinery.
- Labor costs for performing the work.
- Liming costs.
- Professional fees for an agronomist for evaluating the agricultural potential of the land, up to $500 per producer.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is designated for projects situated within the MRC de Témiscouata. This region is specified to promote revitalization of agricultural land and bolster the local agricultural economy.
- Municipality of Saint-Juste-du-Lac
- Municipality of Saint-Eusèbe
- Municipality of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are conducted based on a point scoring grid, prioritizing projects with the highest scores if financial availability requires selection.
- Projects evaluated using a published scoring grid.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to apply for the MRC Témiscouata — Program for Restoring Underutilized Agricultural Lands (TAD):
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure the applicant is a landowner or lessee of land unused for at least 5 years and has undergone agronomic characterization.
- Ensure the necessary documentation and conditions for eligibility are met.
- Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
- Fill out and sign the official application form.
- Prepare a soil characterization sheet.
- Compile a business plan for new businesses or a crop plan for existing ones.
- If applicable, ensure a lease agreement and written authorization from the landowner are included.
- Compile a detailed breakdown of expenses related to the use of machinery and labor.
- Participate in a training session on TAD restoration techniques provided by MAPAQ, if utilizing own machinery or labor.
- Step 3: Submit the Application
- Send the completed application and all required documents by email to couellet@mrctemis.ca.
- Ensure submission is completed by the deadline, Friday, May 24, 2024, at 16:00.
- Step 4: Confirmation and Follow-up
- You may be requested to provide additional information during the review process.
- Monitor email for confirmation of receipt and any further instructions from MRC Témiscouata.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Training is mandatory for those intending to use their own machinery and labor. This ensures applicants have the necessary skills for effective land recultivation.
- Financial aid disbursement can be requested in up to four installments, contingent on project progress.
- Final documentation and proof of project completion are due by October 31, 2025, to qualify for reimbursement.
- An up-to-date work log is required for each payment request.
- The insights and outcomes of each project will contribute to the broader understanding of revitalizing underutilized agricultural land.
grant_single_labels|contact
couellet@mrctemis.ca
