Fantastic Year for BMP’s
With the generous support of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Beneficial Management Practice (BMP) Program started accepting applications for the 2012/13 year three months earlier than in previous years. This allowed producers to start work on projects before the busy production season. Increased funding limits for some types of projects also encouraged producers to invest in environmentally beneficial projects.
As a result, funding for this year’s BMP program is currently fully allocated. Over 220 projects are still in progress. We estimate that B.C. farmers are investing $1.5M of their own money in addition to the funding provided by Government. Program staff will monitor actual costs and as projects are completed surplus funds will be reallocated to additional projects.
In the meantime, producers are encouraged to take advantage of the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program. This free, confidential Plan is available for every B.C. farmer. It provides access to a qualified Planning Advisor (trained consultant) to help identify environmental strengths and potential risks on their farms.
Completing an EFP will enhance producer’s environmental stewardship practices and their reputation (and Canada’s) as being environmentally responsible businesses.
For more information on the EFP Program, call ARDCorp at (604) 854-4483
Growing Forward efp
Canada – BC Environmental Farm Plan Program 2012-2013
As a participant in this program, produces are able to identify their farm’s environmental strengths, prioritize risks to the environment and take advantage of tools and techniques available to manage those risks. The Farm Plan you develop is free of charge, confidential and you are under no obligation. The plan stays with the farm and is valid for five years.
Complete Your Farm Plan
Contact an ARDCorp recognized planning advisor, complete the workbook and develop an environmental Farm Plan. You will receive a “Statement of Completion” when the workbook and plan have been completed.
The BMP Application
If your farm plan includes action items (specific projects) you may be eligible for funding to assist with the cost. Discuss the options with your planning advisor.
Download and complete the current year's BMP application and provide all details of your project. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Detailed instructions can be found in the Application Guide.
Ensure to include with each application a copy of the statement of completion AND a copy of the 2012 property assessment notice.
Dependent on the project type you may also need to include a specific management plan. Your planning advisor will be able to determine this when reviewing your application or refer to the current year's Growing Forward BMP list.
Read the declaration on page four and sign the application. Ensure to initial the small box in Part D notating that you are aware not to begin the project in any form until you receive official approval from ARDCorp. The full Terms and Conditions are available here. Have the planning advisor review, date and sign also. Utilize this time to ask further questions regarding the program and project expectations. Submit the application and required documents to ARDCorp.
BMP Approval Process
Processing of applications may take up to 20 business days. Approval letters will be mailed to the address on the application. ARDCorp may also inform the planning advisors of project approvals. Do not begin your project until you have officially been advised by ARDCorp of the BMP/Project Approval.
Complete the Project
Once you receive your approval letter begin your project. Projects are required to be complete and fully operational by December 31, 2012.
Submit Your Claim
Submit copies of all paid invoices to ARDCorp by the January 4, 2013. Ensure to include complete expense summaries and in kind forms (if applicable). Do not send duplicate copies unless requested by ARDCorp. Claim processing may take up to 12 weeks. We will contact you if more information is required.
Amounts paid are based on eligible costs, work group policy and previous BMP payments. Maximum payable per farm is $70,000 throughout the life of the program. Call ARDCorp for further info.
