Cost-Share Funding Opportunities – How the Lower Souris Watershed Committee Can Help You? Karmen Kyle Group Plan Advisor, Lower Souris Watershed Committee Agricultural BMP Workshop March 4, 2015 Fairlight, SK

What Programs are Available?  Farm Stewardship Program  Agri-Environmental Group Plan  Farm & Ranch Water Infrastructure Program  Pipestone Phosphorous Reduction Program  National Wetland Conservation Fund

Farm Stewardship Program (FSP)  Farm Stewardship Program (FSP) – funded through Growing Forward 2 & administered by Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture  provides eligible Saskatchewan producers financial assistance to implement BMPs to help maintain or improve the quality of air, soil, water and biodiversity resources

Farm Stewardship Program Livestock Site Management Land Management Precision Farming Pest Management Manure Management Irrigation Management

Land Management BMPs  Natural Waterway Erosion Control – PA – 75% to $30k  Creek & stream crossings – PA – 50% to $20k  Protecting High Risk Erodible & Saline – R – 50% to $5k  Native Plant Establishment – PA – 50% to $5k  Shelterbelt establishment – R - $600/mile  Used Oil, Filter & Fluid Storage – R – 50% to $3k

Precision Farming BMPs  Variable Rate Fertilizer Technology – R - 30% to $5000  Assists producers in buying equipment to target fertilizer application rates to maximize plant utilization and minimize nutrient loss to the environment  Includes: GPS linked in-cab VR monitors and unlock codes & flow control devices  Variable Rate Mapping – R - 30% to $2000  Assists producers in obtaining custom zone maps for VR fertilizer and irrigation applications  Includes: consulting services & costs to create initial zone maps (need proof of ownership of VR fertilizer equipment)

Livestock Site Management BMPs  Relocation of Livestock Confinement Facilities – PA - 60% to $50k  Fencing to Protect Surface Water – R - 50% to $10k  Farmyard Runoff Control – PA - 50% to $10k  Riparian Area Grazing Management & Fencing – PA -50% to $5k

Manure Management BMPs  Manure Storage Enhancements – PA – 30% to $50k  Examples: improved containment systems, berms, liners, manure processing systems, storage covers and more  Manure Application Equipment & Technologies – R - 30% to $30k  Assist in buying specialized equipment or modifying existing equipment for improved manure application to increase nutrient retention, reduce odor, & reduce run-off  Includes: vertical beaters on manure spreaders (to $10k), built-in scales on manure application equipment, injector openers, aeration tools, and agitators for liquid manure equipment  For new equipment – covers only the cost of the eligible component upgrade

Am I Eligible to Apply?  Do you have an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) endorsed within the last 10 years (all BMPs) or participate in a local Agri- Environmental Group Plan (certain BMPs)?  Do you own or control minimum of 320 acres of farmland in Saskatchewan?  Do you earn minimum of $35k in farm income in Saskatchewan? *There may be other eligibility requirements depending on which BMP you are applying for.

Lower Souris Agri-Environmental Group Plan (AEGP)  Protecting High Risk Erodible and Saline Soils  Creek and Stream Crossings  Natural Waterway Erosion Control  Relocating Livestock Confinement Facilities  Fencing to Protect Surface Water  Farmyard Runoff Control  Riparian Area Grazing Management and Fencing  Variable Rate Fertilizer Technology  Variable Rate Fertilizer Mapping

Why Participate in the Lower Souris Agri-Environmental Group Plan?  Assistance with developing and planning your project  Help accessing the appropriate technical specialists  Help with paperwork  Assurance that the project makes sense from an environmental perspective through the peer review process  Help obtain any necessary permits for your project

Farm & Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP)  Supports the development of water supplies to expand irrigated acres, the livestock industry, encourage rural economic activity and mitigate the impacts of drought  Four categories:  On-Farm**  Agri-Business Development  Community Well  Irrigation District In-Fill

FRWIP: On-Farm  Eligible projects:  Wells  Dugouts  Pipelines  Relocating livestock watering facilities  Protecting well heads  Decommissioning water wells

FRWIP : On-Farm  All projects are eligible for 50% cost share funding with the exception of well decommissioning at 90%  Maximum rebate for all approved projects is $60k (except well decommissioning costs)  Claim must be submitted the earlier of 18 months after project completion or February 15, 2018

FRWIP Eligibility Requirements  Eligibility Requirements:  $35k minimum gross farm income  Operate minimum of 320 acres of ag land in Saskatchewan  Have a agricultural use for the water  No EFP or AEGP certificate is required

Pipestone Phosphorous Reduction Program – Forage Establishment & Wetland Restoration Program  Funded through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative through Environment Canada  Available to producers in the Pipestone Creek Watershed  Forage Establishment - $30 per acre of forage established including upland acres. Species restrictions are present.  Wetland Restoration – up to $2000 per wetland acre restored *This program ends in 2016*

National Wetland Conservati on Fund

Lower Souris Watershed Committee – One Stop Shopping for your BMP Programming Needs

Questions? Thank you!