AA-New Brunswick Agri-Land Development Program

This document is based on information from the Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture Web site, January 2008.

The New Brunswick Agri-Land Development Program will help fulfill demands for the development of land for agriculture in New Brunswick. This program will support agriculture producers in bringing new land into production and in improving the productivity of existing land through:

• more sustainable crop rotations;
• increased land base for the production of crops; and
• increased self-sufficiency in the production of livestock feed crops.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants

• Applicants must be agricultural producers or owners/partners in companies which carry on agricultural operations in New Brunswick.
• Individual applicants must be nineteen years of age or older.
• No current or former public office holder, public servant or Member of the Legislative Assembly who is not in compliance with applicable conflict of interest guidelines and legislation shall derive any benefit from this initiative.

Land

Financial assistance provided under this initiative is available for land that is suitable for the intended crop and

• is owned by the applicant, or
• is under an Agricultural Development Board (ADB) land program, or
• is leased under a written, long term lease agreement (at least 5 years) a copy of which may be required.

In the case of un-cleared land, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary information to the Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture (DAA) to determine the land’s suitability for the intended crop’s production.

Normally this initiative will be limited to land with Canada Land Inventory (CLI) Classification - Agricultural Capability classes 2, 3 and 4. If, in the opinion of DAA, proposed improvements could bring this rating to a CLI of 4 or equivalent, such lands may also be eligible.

Environmental Considerations

Any project funded under this initiative must meet all requirements of applicable federal and New Brunswick legislation.

Eligible Costs

• All projects will be reviewed to ensure that unit costs are reasonable.
• DAA reserves the right to limit eligible project costs.
• Purchased materials eligible for assistance must meet or exceed all applicable DAA standards and be approved by the Project Officer.
• Any land development activity begun before the project approval date is not eligible under this initiative (no retroactivity).
• Engineering services are eligible costs.
• It is important to note that the following are not eligible for funding under this initiative:
  • Legal costs
  • Land acquisition costs (purchase of lands or any interest therein)
  • Leasing costs (land, buildings, equipment)
  • Maintenance and operational costs
  • Refundable portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax
  • On-farm labour costs
  • Lime
  • Unspecified “miscellaneous” costs
  • Permitting costs

Eligible Assistance

Up to 35% of eligible expenses up to a maximum total assistance per applicant of $7500.

Summary

Program Elements

Land Clearing
Objective – To provide an expanded land base to support beneficial production techniques such as biennial pruning of blueberries or lengthened crop rotations for potatoes as well as to promote general increased or improved crop production on an expanded or renewed land base by removing trees, stumps, roots, brush, rock and other debris and by preparing the newly cleared land for cultivation.

Eligibility – Eligible costs include: removal of trees, stumps, roots, brush, stones, rocks and other debris; chipping and spreading or removal of resulting biomass; the grinding off of stumps and wood debris flush with the soil surface; pulverization of rocks and wood debris in some instances down to a depth of about eight (8) inches; and the preparation of the newly cleared or re-cleared land for cultivation. The land clearing site should be suitable for the intended crops and meet the DAA standards on land clearing. Projects on land with a slope greater than 10% will not be eligible unless it can be fully integrated with a terracing system or is, or will be, under permanent vegetative cover.

The applicant is responsible to submit a work plan and a valid written quote or estimate from a Land Clearing Contractor or the Project Officer. The quote/estimate shall show the area to be cleared, land clearing method to be used, and provide details of any other land consolidation, levelling, rock picking or debris removal costs.

Land Consolidation
Objective – To remove rock piles and line fences that are impediments to efficient and sustainable modern mechanized agricultural practices.

Eligibility – Eligible costs include work such as removal of rock piles, fence lines and other obstacles. Costs associated with road work that is incidental to the rest of the project may also be eligible.

Land Levelling/Land Forming
Objective – To improve land productivity or production efficiencies by the levelling or forming of fields to improve the ease of mechanized production.

Eligibility – Eligible costs include work such as the movement of soil within a field as well as land forming and land levelling costs. This may include, but is not limited to, “tracking” of blueberry fields by hydraulic excavator to facilitate the use of mechanical harvesters and mowing equipment.

Application Process and Administration

Application Process
Application forms for this initiative are available from all offices of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture (DAA) and the departmental Web site. Completed application forms are to be submitted to any DAA office.

Management
The co-ordination and administration of the NB Agri-Land Development Initiative is the responsibility of the Land and Environment Branch of the DAA.

Project Review, Planning, Approval and Monitoring

• Staff of the Land and Environment Branch, DAA will review each application and prepare a “Preliminary Site Inspection Report”. Following project review, the DAA will advise the applicant in writing whether or not the project has been approved.
• Letters of offer will indicate eligible project items and include the name of the designated Project Officer.
• The applicant will submit through the Project Officer, copies of paid invoices or receipts from the supplier or contractor for eligible project costs.
• Each project completed will be inspected by the Project Officer to ensure compliance with applicable DAA standards and that the actual costs are reasonable. If the above conditions are met, the Project Officer will certify the applicant’s Claim for Reimbursement and submit it for reimbursement.

Applicant’s Responsibilities

• To submit a properly completed application form and supporting documentation including project details, cost information and contractors’ quotes/estimates or estimate prepared by the Project Officer.
• To provide, in the case of un-cleared land, the necessary information to DAA to determine the land’s suitability for the intended crop production.
• To ensure that construction work is performed using appropriate equipment and methods and according to the DAA standards.
• To ensure that the project meets all applicable regulations and to obtain all permits necessary to satisfy environmental, zoning, building, electrical, fire safety and other legal requirements.
• To notify the assigned Project Officer immediately upon becoming aware of unforeseen circumstances that may increase the submitted project’s approved costs. In the absence of such notification, a request to amend a project may be denied.
• To provide access to DAA staff and persons authorised by DAA, for inspection, evaluation, demonstration, audit and public information purposes, upon request.
• To provide to DAA, on request, any necessary information related to the implementation of the project.

Termination

This developmental initiative will terminate on March 31st 2008.

For more information on the New Brunswick Agri-Land Development Program or for an application form, contact your local office of the Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture  or visit the Web site: http://www.gnb.ca/0027/0019-e.asp.

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Land and Environment
Agriculture and Aquaculture
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 5H1
Telephone: 506-453-2109
Fax: 506-453-7406