Organic Industry Development Program

The Organic Industry Development Program is designed to support the organic agriculture sector in Prince Edward Island by providing strategic assistance with projects that will building the capacity, growth, and competitiveness of the sector. 

This program is comprised of four sub-programs: 

• 4.3.1 Increasing Market Competitiveness Sub-Program
• 4.3.2 Specialized Equipment Sub-Program
• 4.3.3 Certified Land Conversion Sub-Program
• 4.3.4 Implementation of Strategic Initiatives Sub-Program

Am I eligible to apply for Organic Industry Development funding?

The following includes a summary of program and funding eligibility. Before completing the application form, please review program and funding criteria in the Organic Industry Development Program Guidelines .

4.3.1 Increasing Market Competitiveness Sub-Program

The Increasing Market Competitiveness Sub-Program will support producers and processors in capturing a larger share of the certified organic market which will increase their profitability.

Eligible Recipients

• Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups;
• Agricultural producers;
• Small to medium-sized agri-businesses; 
• Agri-processors; and
• Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations.

NOTE: Recipients must have current Organic Certification or have made an application to an Organic Certification Body and have participated in an organic certification inspection.

Eligible Activities/Expenses

• Technology to meet the certified organic market requirements and to improve efficiency; and
• Modification of a facility to meet certified organic requirements. 
• Activities to develop new organic products or serve new organic markets.

4.3.2 Specialized Equipment Sub-Program

The Specialized Equipment Sub-Program will support organic producers to purchase equipment which will assist the implementation of pest management and soil fertility practices which will improve efficiency and competitiveness on organic farms.

Eligible Recipients

• Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups; and
• Agricultural producers.

NOTE: Recipients must have current Organic Certification or have made an application to an Organic Certification Body and have participated in an organic certification inspection.

Eligible Activities/Expenses

• Portable grain cleaners and dryers;
• Flame weeders;
• Mechanical weeders and inter -row cultivators;
• Frost and green manure seeders;
• Pasture renovators;
• Cover crop technology; and
• Other specialized equipment.

NOTE: Equipment and/or technologies not listed will be reviewed and assessed for eligibility under the Specialized Equipment Sub-Program.

4.3.3 Certified Land Conversion Sub-Program

The Certified Organic Land Conversion Sub-Program will support producers in mitigating risks associated with converting conventional farmland to certified organic farmland.

Eligible Recipients

• Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups; and
• Agricultural producers.

Eligible Activities/Expenses

• Land in the first year of full organic conversion.

4.3.4 Implementation of Strategic Initiatives Sub-Program

The Implementation of Strategic Initiatives Sub-Program will support activities which will allow organizations, which represent PEI organic stakeholders, to develop and coordinate projects which will increase the sector’s strategic capacity.

Eligible Recipients

• Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups; 
• PEI Certified Organic Producers Cooperative; and
• Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN).
• Other organizations deemed eligible by the program review committee.

Eligible Activities/Expenses

• Activities which will increase the organic sector’s strategic capacity; 
• Activities which will assist the organic sector’s ability to capture emerging opportunities and/or address sector challenges;
• Market development activities;
• Consulting fees;
• Salaries;
• Material and supplies; and 
• Administrative and overhead costs (maximum of 10% of eligible costs).

What do I need to complete the application form?

Information required for all programs:

Application Form

• Applicant contact information;
• Business or organization information, including CRA registration number;
  • If applicable, Partnership information
• Project start and end date; 
• Additional sources of project funding;
• Recipient type (i.e. primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor);
• Type of industry (i.e. Dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains and oilseeds);
• Signature for declaration and consent to personal information; and
• Demographic information (optional).

Organic Industry Development Project Details:

• Alongside the Organic Industry Development Program General Application Form, complete Appendix A and/or B depending on which sub-program(s) you are applying for. 
• NOTE: Appendices are located within the Organic Industry Development Program General Application Form

For more information contact:

PEI Department of Agriculture 
11 Kent Street
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown PE C1A 7N8
Telephone: (902) 368-4880
Email: organic@gov.pe.ca 

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The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a new $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028), between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. The agreement includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities funded by federal, provincial and territorial governments..