Programs and Agricultural Grants

Information about programs and grants available to the County’s agricultural community.

Long-term sustainability of the agriculture industry is a key mandate of Rocky View County. Agricultural Services works to help conserve and improve the rural environment by encouraging environmentally responsible farming and production methods.

Below are a few resources to assist agricultural producers in maintaining an environmentally sustainable operation.

  • ALUS Program
  • Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
  • Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program
  • Environmental Farm Plans
  • Green Acreages
  • Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program
  • Agri-Environmental Incentive Program

ALUS Program

The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program is a Rocky View County delivered initiative, in partnership with ALUS Canada, which aims to improve ecological services such as: clean air, clean water, flood mitigation, climate adaptation, carbon sequestration, species at risk habitat and support for our native bees and pollinators.

The County accepts applications on a continual basis throughout the year. The ALUS PAC (Partnership Advisory Committee) is always looking for projects which are ready to be established in the spring, summer or fall of 2021. Applications will be reviewed by the PAC and a select few projects will be implemented based on available funding. If you would like to find out if your project qualifies as an ALUS project or have any questions regarding the program, please the contact ALUS Rocky View Program Coordinator at agservices@rockyview.ca or 403-230-1401.

Through the ALUS program, farmers and ranchers can receive funding to make improvements to environmentally-sensitive, marginal or inefficient farm land. Examples of projects which can be considered include restoring wetlands, reforesting, planting windbreaks, installing riparian buffers, creating pollinator habitat and establishing other ecologically-beneficial projects.

Through its Agricultural Service Board, the County established a Partnership Advisory Committee to assist with the implementation and oversight of the program, along with support from the Agricultural Services Department.

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) which expired on March 31, 2023. Sustainable CAP is a five‐year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐ based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities by federal, provincial and territorial governments. 

The Sustainable CAP framework, in Alberta, represents a cost-shared federal-provincial (60:40) investment of $508 million over five years towards strategic programs and services for the agriculture and agri-food industry. Alberta will offer programs similar to the programs offered under the CAP framework. To review the programs and funding offered visit the Sustainable CAP website at www.alberta.ca/s-cap.aspx.  

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) is a new program being offered under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). RALP’s objective is to accelerate the adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that maximize provision of Ecological Goods & Services (EG&S), particularly increased carbon sequestration and enhanced climate resilience. Funding is offered on a per-acre payment basis for a term of three years. The RALP opens for applications on April 3, 2023. To review the funding list and additional program details visit the Sustainable CAP website at www.alberta.ca/s-cap.aspx.  

Environmental Farm Plan

An Environmental Farm Plan is a self-assessment process that allows producers to identify and evaluate the environmental risks and strengths that may be present within their agricultural operation. This voluntary, confidential process provides producers with a free workbook aimed at creating awareness and issue identification.

Although this is not a Rocky View County program, Agricultural Services staff are available to provide support and assist residents with their applications.

Green Acreages Program

The Green Acreages program offers publications, workshops and incentives developed especially for acreage, hobby farm and recreational property owners to help them implement stewardship practices that conserve and protect the valuable natural assets, such as air, land, water, wildlife, associated with their properties. Eligible projects will be funded on a 25-75 cost-share basis up to a maximum of $4500 per project against cash expenditures with receipts. Property owners must contribute 25% of the total project cost in cash or in-kind value.

https://www.landstewardship.org/enable/programs/green-acreages

Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program

We are pleased to announce that the Government of Alberta is once again offering a grant program that provides funding to third parties for projects to restore, enhance and create wetland/riparian areas that improve watershed health. The Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program aims to improve natural watershed functions to build greater long-term resiliency to droughts and floods through 4 areas of focus:  

  1. Restoration and enhancement of degraded or lost wetlands, riparian areas, and floodplains within priority watersheds to improve flood and drought resiliency.
  2. Conservation of critical wetlands, riparian areas, and floodplain features within priority watersheds, with these areas being given greater consideration for preserving by decision makers and landowners.
  3. Stewardship is increased through greater understanding and awareness among the public, land-use decision makers and other key stakeholders of the importance of watershed functions, and their relationship to flood and drought mitigation.
  4. Data, research, and information are available to support the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program and aid future decision-making.  

The website for the program hosts all information surrounding the grant program, including the overview guide and application form: https://www.alberta.ca/watershed-resiliency-and-restoration-program.aspx. If you have any questions about the program, please contact us at aep.wrrp@gov.ab.ca.  

Agri-Environmental Incentive Program

An incentive program created by Agricultural Services available to all Rocky View County residents. This program provides funding to off-set the cost of environmentally beneficial projects, and is run on a first-come first-serve basis while funding is available.

Requirements

  • You must be a Rocky View County resident.
  • You must be a bona fide farmer.
  • Projects must have begun on or after January 1 and must be completed by December 31.

Eligible Projects

  • Offsetting the cost of building a pasture sprayer or purchase and use of a nozzle to spray headlands (up to $500).
  • Offsetting the rental charge for using the County’s pasture sprayer (up to $500).
  • Offsetting the cost of identifying and decommissioning old water wells (up to $2000). Must be performed by an approved company or contractor.
  • Offsetting the cost of range and riparian health assessments conducted by Cows and Fish (up to $1000).

You may receive funding for more than one of the above projects but a maximum of $2000 can be allocated per farm.

How to Apply

Once you have sent in an Application Form [PDF/136KB]  and are accepted into the program, you will be notified to proceed with your project (if you haven’t done so already). After the project is finished, you will need to fill out and submit an Expense Form [PDF/131KB], with receipts, indicating all costs associated with its completion.

Completed Application and Expense forms can be mailed or emailed to:

Rocky View County – Agri-Environmental Incentive Program
Attn: Agricultural Services
262075 Rocky View Point
Rocky View County, AB, T4A 0X2

Email: agservices@rockyview.ca

Once the Expense Form is submitted, an Agricultural Services staff member will come out to your property to verify that the specified project is completed. After the project is verified, a cheque for the appropriate amount will be issued and mailed to your mailing address.

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