FAQ

Who is eligible for funding under the CSFSP?

Any individual, partnership, or corporation that owns, leases, rents, manages or otherwise controls agricultural land used to produce agriculture products is eligible to apply for funds under the CSFSP. All applicants must complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) or an Agri-Environmental Group Plan before applying for incentive funding.

How do producers apply for funding under the CSFSP?

Once a producer has completed the Environmental Farm Plan and review process they will be issued a Certificate of Endorsement. They attach a copy of this Certificate to the CSFSP application form and contact their local program representative.

Where are application forms available for the CSFSP?

Application forms for the program are available from:

Your local Watershed/Farm Stewardship Advisor Program Representatives
PCAB website
PCAB at 1-866-298-7222

Can producers apply for funds to recover costs of BMPs they have already implemented?

As long as the purchase was made after April 1, 2009, when and if an application is approved, those receipts will be an eligible expense.

Can applicants apply to receive funding for more than one BMP category?

Yes, applicants can apply for either single or multiple BMP categories. However, a separate application form is required for each new BMP category applied for. Total program dollars provided for all projects attributed to a single farm unit cannot exceed $50,000.

Can applicants apply for funding under the same BMP category more than once?

Yes. However, applicants are only eligible for funding for a specific BMP category up to the maximum for that category. For example, the maximum funding for BMP 09-401 – Farmyard Runoff Control is $10,000. Once an applicant receives $10,000 in funding for farmyard runoff control projects, he/she can no longer apply for further funding under this BMP category.

Can applicants apply for the same practice under the same BMP category more than once?

Yes. So long as the intended works are considered a separate project or add significant incremental value to previous works on the same land.

What happens if an applicant wished to change the scope of the project they applied for or add additional practices to their applications?

Applicants will be required to contact the program and state their intentions. Their file will be updated and reviewed to determine if the change is allowed. If approved, a new approval letter and statement of claim will follow.

Does the project have to be completed on the applicant’s land?

No. However, applicants wanting to carry out a project on land they do not own must consult with the landowner and must indicate they have done so in the space provided on the application form. If the land where the project is to be carried out is federal, provincial or municipal Crown Land, consent must be obtained from the appropriate authority prior to application.

Will the incentive payments be subject to taxes?

Yes. The Income Tax Act requires that the payments issued under this program be reported to the Canada Revenue Agency on an annual calendar-year basis. The payments received by the applicants will be considered “other income” and will be subject to income tax.

How will the applicant know when their application has been approved and they can begin their project?

Once an application has been reviewed and approved, the applicant will be notified in writing of the approval and will be advised to proceed with their project. All required licenses and approvals need to be in place before the project is implemented; obtaining required licenses and approvals is the responsibility of the applicant.

Does the applicant’s share of the cost have to be in the form of cash?

Not necessarily. In-kind contributions are also eligible. Eligible in kind contributions are labour and use of an applicant’s equipment. Labour will be valued to a maximum of $15.00 per hour, and equipment use will be valued according to the rates published in the current Farm Machinery Rental and Custom Rates Guide. BMP guide outlines which projects are eligible for in-kind labour.

Can an applicant seek out other funding sources to help supplement their financial contribution to the project?

Yes. On the application form, applicants will be asked to identify all sources of funding for their project. The CSFSP will use this information to determine the incentive payment the applicant will receive. Applicants should note that the total dollars contributed towards the project cannot exceed 100 percent of the total project cost. Funds provided by other organizations (other than provincial or federal government) can also be used to supplement the applicant’s share to a maximum of 100 percent.

Are there any interim payments made on projects?

No. The applicant will be required to pay for project costs. Costs and eligible expenses will be reimbursed at the federal cost-share level. Once the project is complete the applicant must provide the program with statements and invoices which detail eligible costs. A one-time payment is issued upon receipt of eligible invoices.

If a number of practices have been applied for under a BMP category, the program will only pay on those practices which have been completed. Practices not finished will either be given a target time period to complete, be cancelled or possibly rolled over to the following year.

Will projects be subject to an environmental assessment?

Yes, in some cases. All projects will be reviewed to determine if the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) applies. However, many activities will not require assessment. For those projects where CEAA does apply, the Act requires federal departments and agencies to conduct an environmental assessment for proposed projects and activities before providing federal support to a project. If an environmental assessment is required, project approval and incentive will not be granted until the project has met all CEAA requirements. Compliance with CEAA, and any other relevant legislation, is a requirement of all Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada funded programs. All projects will be subject to a follow-up visit by PCAB staff to verify completion.

When is the application deadline?

As of April 1, 2006 there are no longer any application deadline dates. Applications will be reviewed regularly throughout the program year.

Will the program consider invoices for materials a producer has on hand?

Producers can utilize seed, wire, posts and other small common items purchased prior to the application dates. This will be judged on a case by case basis.