$75,000 in grants to upgrade your farm's irrigation

Alberta's Water Program provides funding to help agricultural operations improve irrigation efficiency and manage water resources more effectively.

The objective of the program is to support primary producers and the continued growth and long-term success of the agriculture industry by enhancing agricultural water management.

Are there different categories for funding?
Who is eligible to apply?
What projects are eligible for funding?
How much money can I apply for?
Are the grants full coverage or cost shared?
What are the reimbursement requirements?
Anything else I should know before I apply?
How do I apply?
Questions?

Are there different categories for funding?

There are two program streams:

• On-Farm Irrigation Stream
• On-Farm Water Supply Stream

Who is eligible to apply?

An applicant must be a primary producer operating in Alberta that:

On-Farm Irrigation

• is responsible for input costs for agricultural crops or livestock producing at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually
• does not include a landlord whose only interest in the crop or livestock is that of ownership of the land
• owns an irrigated agricultural operation in Alberta
• has not been previously approved for payment from the program for the same project type for the parcel described in the application

On-Farm Water Supply

• is responsible for input costs for agricultural crops or livestock producing at least $25,000 worth of farm commodities annually
• does not include a landlord whose only interest in the crop or livestock is that of ownership of the land
• is liable to pay Alberta income tax or corporate tax (or claim losses) on income from the production of farm commodities under the Income Tax Act (Canada) or the Alberta Corporate Tax Act

What projects are eligible for funding?

On-Farm Irrigation

On-Farm Irrigation System Purchases

• Low-Pressure Center Pivot System
• Subsurface Drip Irrigation System

On-Farm Irrigation System Upgrades

• Low-Pressure Center Pivot System
• Surface Drip Irrigation System
• Sprinkler Packages
• Pumps and Pump Modifications
• Control Panel Upgrade
• Variable Rate Irrigation Equipment

On-Farm Water Supply

Developments

• Wells
• Dugouts
• Spring Developments
• Tie-In to a Multi-User Water Supply Pipeline
• Dams
• Water Source for Crop Irrigation
• Cisterns Unshared Water Pipelines
• Off-Source Watering Systems

Special Incentives

• Well Decommissioning
• Well Pit Conversions
• Wetland Assessments

How much money can I apply for?

On-Farm Irrigation

• Maximum of $35,000 per fiscal year of the program
  • Irrigation system purchases - 50% of eligible expenses up to $17,500 per parcel
  • Irrigation system upgrades - 50% of eligible expenses up to $6,000 per parcel

On-Farm Water Supply

• Maximum of $40,000 per applicant for the period April 1, 2023 - March 23, 2028

Are the grants full coverage or cost shared?

On-Farm Irrigation

• Cost shared at 50% grant and 50% applicant for eligible expenses

On-Farm Water Supply

• Standard incentive projects - up to 50% for eligible expenses
• Special incentive projects - varied

What are the reimbursement requirements?

• Invoices must be under the Legal Name stated on your application
• Invoices must be dated after April 1, 2023
• On-Farm Irrigation Stream You must provide proof of 10% down payment for all Eligible Expenses and proof of payment must be under the Legal Name (or Company Name) on your application and other supporting documents
• On-Farm Water Supply Stream You must provide proof of payment in full for all invoices and proof of payment must be under the Legal Name or Company Name on your application

Anything else I should know before I apply?

• There is limited funding under this program each fiscal year
• Funding is not guaranteed
• If your application is not approved, you will not be reimbursed for any expenses
• All expenses prior to April 1, 2023, are ineligible
• The Water Program Terms and Conditions govern the administration of the program and must be reviewed prior to starting work on a project and/or applying to the program
• Projects must be identified as eligible in the Program Funding Lists and meet all applicable requirements stated on the Program Funding Lists
• To be eligible for funding, projects must meet the requirements of all applicable federal and provincial legislation and contact initiated with agencies (for example, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas) prior to the start of the project
• For dugouts, dams and spring developments under the On-Farm Water Supply Stream, applicants must speak to an Agriculture and Irrigation Water Specialist and receive an approved construction sheet prior to planning and construction
• Call 310-FARM to speak to an Agriculture and Irrigation Water Specialist

How do I apply?

1. Determine whether you are eligible by reviewing the Water Program Terms and Conditions
2. Confirm that your proposed activities are eligible:

• On-Farm Irrigation Stream Funding List
• On-Farm Water Supply Stream Funding List

3. Complete and sign the Water Program Application form
4. Submit the completed Application Form and supporting documents by email or mail

ON-FARM IRRIGATION

Email
irrigationefficiency@gov.ab.ca

Mail
Sustainable-CAP Water Program
Natural Resource Innovation Section
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
Agriculture Centre
100, 5401 1 Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta
T1J 4V6

Phone
403-381-5532

ON-FARM WATER SUPPLY

Email
farmwatersupply@gov.ab.ca

Mail
Sustainable-CAP Water Program
Program Delivery Section
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation
7000 113 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta
T6H 5T6

Phone
310-FARM (3276)

Questions?

If you have any questions about this article, need help with your grant application, or want to know more about the services we offer, please contact one of our Agriculture Accounting Experts or complete the contact form below.