Information on Environmental BMP Programs Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership E-Newsletter dsfsfa

Note: The following information has been provided by Manitoba Agriculture staff.

The Manitoba government has opened intakes for two new programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) that provide funding to support sustainable farming in Manitoba. Please see the News Release from April 28, 2023.

o The Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba (SAM) program provides 21 BMPs under 3 main funding streams: Cropland Management, Manure & Livestock Management and Water Management

Detailed program information, including eligibility, application forms and guides can be found here: https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climatechange/sustainabl e-agr.html o The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program: Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience (RALP) will support on-farm beneficial management practices and projects that enhance the provision of ecological goods and services, through 2 BMPs: Agroforestry and Grasslands & Grazing Management. Eligible applicants include Association of Manitoba Community Pastures, Agricultural Crown Land forage lease holders, Indigenous primary producers and communities, including First Nations and Métis, and primary producers outside of watershed district boundaries.

Application Intake is currently OPEN and will close 11:59 pm on June 13, 2023.

Detailed program information including application forms and guides can be found here: https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climatechange/carbonsequestration.html

Application Intake is currently OPEN and will close 11:59 pm on June 12, 2023.

▪ Watershed districts are eligible for RALP: Watershed Resilience programming, where the districts will collaborate with primary producers within district boundaries to implement projects on agricultural land. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local watershed districts to inquire about any potential programs that may be available:

Environment, Climate and Parks | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)

• An Environment Farm Plan (EFP) is not required at time of application, however it will be required after project completion at time of claim. EFPs can be completed online: www.manitobaefp.ca

• Expenses are retroactive to April 1, 2023. However, any expenses incurred before receiving an approval letter are at the applicant’s own risk in the event the project is not approved.

• The application process requires each applicant to complete an Applicant Information Form ONCE (general applicant information), then go on to complete an Application Worksheet for each BMP applied for. All submissions must be emailed to: agriculture@gov.mb.ca continued on pages 2-7

• For more information call 1-800-811-4411.

Additional Details About the SAM and RALP Programs

Source: https://www.gov.mb.ca/scap/index.html (accessed May 4, 2023)

Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba Components

Climate Change and Environment: Crop Land Management Stream

Funding to support the adoption of cropland management practices that optimize operations and improve productivity. Eligible beneficial management practices under this focus area include:

• BMP 1100: Reduced Tillage Intensity

• BMP 1200: Low Disturbance Placement of Seed & Fertilizer

• BMP 1300: Preventing Soil Compaction

• BMP 1400: Reduced Pesticide Use

• BMP 1500: Soil Landscape Restoration

• BMP 1600: Perennial Cover for Sensitive Lands

• BMP 1700: Hazardous Products Storage

Intake Information: The intake for this program is currently open, funding requests will be accepted from April 28, 2023 to 11:59 pm on June 13, 2023. BMP Summary https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climatechange/sustainableagr/cropland-management.html

Project Timeline: Projects must be completed by March 31, 2024.

Additional Information and Documents – go to the website to access the application forms and worksheets.

Climate Change and Environment: Manure and Livestock Management Stream

Funding to support the adoption of practices that improve livestock performance and manure management. Eligible beneficial management practices under this focus area include:

• BMP 2100: Enhanced Feed Efficiency

• BMP 2200: Improved Manure Application

• BMP 2300: Solid-Liquid Separation of Manure

• BMP 2400: Improved Manure Transport

• BMP 2500: In-Barn Air Quality Treatment

• BMP 2600: Limiting Thermal Stress on Livestock

• BMP 2700: Composting

Intake Information: The intake for this program is currently open, funding requests will be accepted from April 28, 2023 to 11:59 pm on June 13, 2023. BMP Summary https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climatechange/sustainableagr/manure-and-livestock-management.html

Project Timeline: Projects must be completed by March 31, 2024.

Additional Information and Documents – go to the website to access the application forms and worksheets.

Climate Change and Environment: Water Management Stream

Funding to support the adoption of practices that enhance the supply, efficient use, quality and management of water. Eligible beneficial management practices under this focus area include:

• BMP 4100: Increased Irrigation Efficiency

• BMP 4200: Fertigation

• BMP 4300: Sub-surface Drainage Water Management

• BMP 4400: Water Quality

• BMP 4500: Runoff Control

• BMP 4600: Water Use Efficiency

• BMP 4700: Water Supply

Intake Information: The intake for this program is currently open, funding requests will be accepted from April 28, 2023 to 11:59 pm on June 13, 2023. BMP https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climatechange/sustainableagr/water-management.html

Project Timeline: Projects must be completed by March 31, 2024.

Additional Information and Documents – go to the website to access the application forms and worksheets.

Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program Components

Climate Change and Environment: Agro-Forestry Stream

The purpose of the Agroforestry BMP is to promote the establishment of shelterbelts and block tree plantings that provide:

• Enhanced carbon sequestration

• Reduced soil erosion

• Improved water conservation efforts

• Energy conservation (e.g. heating costs for home, barn, shop, etc.)

• Improved wildlife habitat

• Increased crop yields

• Thermal protection for livestock

• Reduced surface runoff and enhanced water quality

Intake Information: The intake for this program is currently open, funding requests will be accepted from April 28, 2023 to 11:59 pm on June 12 2023.

Eligible Applicants

• Association of Manitoba Community Pastures

• Indigenous primary producers and communities, including First Nations and Métis

• Primary producers outside of Watershed District boundaries.

*Please note that primary producers within Watershed District boundaries should contact their local Watershed District about available programming in their area.

Eligible Activities

• Establishment and maintenance of shelterbelts or tree buffers for farmyard, livestock facilities and fields

• Planting of trees/shrubs on marginal or high-risk cropland

• Silvopasture (the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock on the same land) https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climatechange/carbonsequestration/agroforestry.html

Project Timeline: Projects will have eighteen months to be completed.

Cost Share Funding: Eligible applicants can be reimbursed for up to 75 per cent of total approved eligible costs, to a maximum of $15,000 per project.

Additional Information and Documents – go to the website to access the application forms and worksheets.

Climate Change and Environment: Grasslands and Grazing Management Stream

Implementing the Grasslands and Grazing Management BMP will result in:

• Increased productivity and economic gains

• Increased environmental benefits, including o Improved soil and water quality o Reduced greenhouse gas emissions o Reduced stream-bank degradation o Improved nutrient and water retention o Improved biodiversity and wildlife habitat

Intake Information: The intake for this program is currently open, funding requests will be accepted from April 28, 2023 to 11:59 pm on June 12, 2023.

Eligible Applicants

• Agricultural Crown Land forage lease holders

• Association of Manitoba Community Pastures

• Indigenous primary producers and communities, including First Nations and Métis

• Primary producers outside of Watershed District boundaries.

*Please note that primary producers within Watershed District boundaries should contact their local Watershed District about available programming in their area.

Eligible Activities

• Planning o Input from a knowledgeable professional to create a grazing management plan that takes into account forage rest and recovery, stocking rates, paddock rotation and placement of water infrastructure.

• Infrastructure o Rotational grazing infrastructure including permanent and temporary cross fencing and offsite watering for tame pasture and native grasslands.

• Rejuvenation o Convert marginal and high-risk annual cropland to permanent grasslands (includes establishment of native or tame forages) and/or increase the use of alfalfa or other locally-adapted and persistent nitrogen-fixing perennial legumes in pasture and hay to at least 30% of the cover. https://www.manitoba.ca/scap/climatechange/carbonsequestration/grasslands-and-grazingmanagement.html

Project Timeline: Projects will have eighteen months to be completed.

Cost Share Funding: Eligible applicants can be reimbursed for up to 75 per cent of total approved eligible costs, to a maximum of $15,000 per project.

Additional Information and Documents – go to the website to access the application forms and worksheets.

Find Your Local Watershed District

Use the following link to search in which watershed district your municipality is located, or see the watershed district map (second link) to locate your local watershed district. Please note: Some RMs span multiple watershed districts.

https://manitobawatersheds.org/rm-lookup https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d1970615efdf4000145bc48/t/64062c2101852171e9fd1eae/167

8126165654/District+Map+PDF+March+2023.pdf