PRAD Fund Closed

PRAD UPDATE

The Peace River Agricultural Fund (PRAD) is currently not taking funding applications.  Funds for 2017-2018 projects have been allocated and no further funds are available.  The BC Peace River Grain Industry Development Council is proud to have administered the $1.2 million dollars to projects that promote the agriculture industry throughout British Columbia’s Peace River Region.  Council would like to thank the Province of British Columbia as well as the many farm associations, interest groups and research teams who helped make PRAD a success.

PRAD Background

Funding provided by:

Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Administered by:

BC Peace River Grain Industry Development Council

Contact Information

Peace River Agriculture Development Fund
c/o BC Peace River Grain Industry Development Council
PO Box 144, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4G3
email: prad1@bcpeace.com

NOTE: From 1998 to 2002 a Federal Peace River Agriculture Development Fund was in place – click HERE to review that program with its funded project reports.

About the Peace River Agriculture Development Fund

The fund was established by the Government of British Columbia in 1997 through a contribution of $1,200,000.00 to promote the agriculture industry in the Peace River area of B.C.

Funds are administered by the British Columbia Peace River Grain Industry Development Council under terms of the B. C. Peace River Agriculture Development Fund Contribution Agreement dated September 5, 1997.

Applications for projects to be funded are solicited annually by the Council, and are approved in consultation with representatives of the various commodity sectors in the region.

Members of the Consultation Committee are representatives of a variety of Peace River agricultural groups including:

  • BC Grain Producers Association
  • Game Farming Association
  • Prespatou Farmers Institute
  • Fine Seeds Committee
  • National Farmers Union
  • PR South Bee Keepers Association
  • Hog Producers Association
  • Sheep Breeders Association
  • Egg Producers
  • BC Bison Association
  • Peace River Cattlemen’s Association
  • PR Organic Producers Association
  • Peace River Dairymen’s Association
  • Peace River Farmers Institute
  • PR Soil Conservation Association
  • Peace River Forage Association of BC
  • Peace River Regional District

Funding Guidelines

Funding Limits

  • There is no maximum for individual project costs. Each project will be judged on merit.
  • Projects planned to last more than three years are not eligible. If a project is planned to last more than one year, annual reports must be submitted and approved prior to payments being made for the following year(s).

Levels of Assistance

All applications are eligible for up to 50% sharing. Of the remaining 50%, half can be “in-kind contributions”, but it cannot be other provincial or federal government funds. This is a guideline only, as each project will be judged on merit.

Funding Arrangements

All approved projects shall include Budgets and Timelines (dates) indicating when funds are to be paid. On approved applications of projects under $10,000.00, a 10% holdback of funds will be maintained until a final report satisfactory to the Peace River Agriculture Fund administrators has been received. On projects over $10,000.00 the Holdback will be agreed to between the Applicant and the PRAD Fund Administrators at the time of awarding the approval.

Eligible Applicants

  • Individuals and partnerships
  • Commercial and non-profit organizations
  • Industry Associations
  • Agencies, boards and councils
  • Universities, municipal governments, and government research and/or development agencies

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible projects must:

  • address the objectives identified annually as Strategic Priorities,
  • comply with Financial Guidelines.

Eligible and Ineligible Activities and Costs

Eligible costs include:

  • contracted goods and services
  • materials and supplies (not capital costs)
  • incremental labour (wages plus benefits etc.) and related costs such as travel, training and skill development
  • rent or lease of facilities and equipment, and
  • administrative costs specific to the project.

Ineligible costs include:

  • normal costs of establishing and operating a commercial operation
  • capital costs (building and equipment)
  • generally, costs incurred before the project was approved, and funding for ongoing activities are not to be eligible for funding, unless approved by the Council.

Short Term Projects

Throughout each year, PRAD will accept applications for projects which will be of less than one year duration and require only up to $7,500.00 in PRAD contributions. The approval process for these projects normally can be carried out in 4 to 6 weeks, however as much advance time as possible should be given. PRAD funding cannot be used for expenses incurred prior to the project approval.

Use of Funds

The PRAD Fund may only support the following types of projects which will benefit the agriculture and food industry in the Peace River area of B.C.

  • Agriculture and food research projects
  • Technology development projects
  • Environmental management projects
  • Market development projects
  • Education projects
  • Training projects

Strategic Priorities (Set annually by Council and Consultation Committee)

2015-2016

  1. Planning and Communication
  2. Climate Adaptation and Development
  3. Science, Technology, Education
  4. Investment and Business
  5. Value Added Processing
  6. Domestic and International Trade
  7. Natural Resource Management

Funded Project Reports