Education, Training, Assessment, and Planning (Plant Health)
Stream: Other Business
Code:
PHAP-OA-I
For projects focused on building operation-specific knowledge and expertise in support of plant health.
Who should apply?
Other businesses in the plant supply chain such as packers, retailers, and elevator and storage facility operators that are interested in:
- Conducting operation-wide assessment against national biosecurity standards
- Conducting commodity-specific health/pest risk assessments
- Developing biosecurity procedures
- Developing an integrated pest management plan or a response plan for potential invasive pest introductions
- Participating in workshops or training in the following areas: plant health, biosecurity or calibration and application
To apply you must have completed
There are no additional qualifications necessary to apply for this Project Category
Eligible activities and expenditures
- Training and education from a third-party training institution or consultant on topics related to the adoption of national biosecurity standards or a commodity-specific risk management program
- Certified Crop Advisor services to provide:
- A first-time assessment of facilities against national biosecurity standards or a commodity-specific health or pest risk assessment
- A first-time assessment and production of a written report or plan that provides initial recommendations for implementing an integrated pest management plan and Best Management Practices (BMPs)
- Biosecurity, disease or pest response or operational procedures
- Certified Crop Advisor fees may include:
- Data collection, sampling and analysis
- Preparation of a report and review with the producer
- Planning and decision support tools (e.g., purchase of computer software necessary for risk management planning, aerial photos)
- Maps and land resource information costs
- Baseline laboratory testing for plant pests as part of an integrated pest management plan
- Production of training or promotional material for workshops or training
Ineligible activities and expenditures
- Activities and expenditures as detailed here
- Training, materials and skills development projects that fulfill any academic requirements towards completion of a professional certificate, diploma or degree program
- Professional services not directly related to the eligible activity
- Ongoing sampling and testing costs to maintain or monitor health or pest status
- Routine sampling and analysis to determine annual requirements for crop nutrients or pest control (e.g., crop scouting, annual crop planning)
- Repeat services for the same property
- In-kind contributions
Available cost-share
50 per cent, up to a maximum of $5,000
Required documentation
- Course outline detailing training to be provided, if applicable
Merit assessment criteria
- Degree of impact in aligning with national biosecurity standards
- Project provides increased capacity to manage and plan with regards to pest risk
- Ability of project to increase the understanding of pest biology and pest risk management, especially related to current challenges faced, such as resistance management, spray drift, environmental stewardship, and emergency planning
- Number of times an applicant business has accessed cost-share funding under the producer stream of the province-wide Partnership program
- Ability of project to support economic recovery and growth of Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sectors
What's Next?
Is this project for you? Find out if you meet the program requirements
1. What businesses are eligible?
Any established business that is a plant supply chain partner, based in Ontario, and that is
a legal entity, is eligible to apply for cost-share funding under the Partnership—provided that the business meets all of the requirements set out in the Program Guide and in the applicable Project Category Description.
These businesses include:
- Seed treatment facilities
- Grain elevator operators
- Seed storage facility operators
- Transport providers
- Equipment manufacturers and suppliers
- Custom applicators
- Packers
- Seed retailers
Some project categories are targeted to specific supply chain partners. See a list in the Project Category Description for each Project Category.
The applicant must:
- Be in compliance with all Requirements of Law at the time of application, and agree to remain in compliance for the duration of the project
- Have a valid and up-to-date Premises Identification (PID) Number for the business location where the project is to take place
- Provide a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number as part of the application process, if applicable
2. How often can I apply?
A farm business may have up to two (2) applications approved in an intake or under consideration at one time. A separate application must be submitted for each project.
There is no limit to the number of cost-share projects that a business can complete over the five-year span of the Partnership. There is also no limit to the number of approved cost-share projects that a business can have underway at one time.
3. How will my application be assessed?
Applications are evaluated based only on the information submitted and will not be considered if they do not meet eligibility criteria or if they are incomplete.
Complete applications that meet eligibility criteria are assessed using Merit Assessment Criteria, which is specific to each Project Category. Applications that are selected using a merit-based review process are approved on a continuous basis while funds remain available.
Conditional approval for funding may be granted for complete applications with high merit that require confirmation of additional information before project approval.
4. How do I submit my application?
Applications are submitted electronically.* You can apply and submit all required documentation at ontarioprograms.net.
You can also complete the Application Form for the Project Category you are applying under, and submit with all required documentation by email to CAP@ontariosoilcrop.org. Copies of Application Forms are available at ontarioprogramguides.net.
*If you cannot apply online or by email, you may send hard copy applications and all required documentation to OSCIA by post or courier to 1-367 Woodlawn Road W, Guelph, ON, N1H 7K9.
5. How will I be notified of cost-share funding decisions?
Applications will be reviewed, and cost-share funding decisions will be made after the Application Intake has closed. You will be notified by mail and/or email approximately 45 business days from the date a given Application Intake closes. (If there is an exception to this, it may be noted in the Project Category Description.) There are three possible outcomes:
- Application is approved – you will receive confirmation of claim procedures and submission deadlines, and a questionnaire that must be completed at the end of the project.
- Application is conditionally approved – you will be notified about what additional information is required to finalize approval of your project.
- Application is declined – you will receive a brief explanation for the decision.
6. When do projects start and finish?
The start date for your project is the date on the Approval or Conditional Approval Letter issued by OSCIA for each successful project. Projects cannot be started before that date. Eligible costs can only be incurred, invoiced and paid for by the applicant after the date on which the Letter is issued.
The completion date for your project will be specified in the Approval Letter issued by OSCIA for the successful project. Eligible costs must be incurred, invoiced and paid for by the applicant on or before this completion date.
Edit date: December 6, 2021
Need Help?
For assistance with the Online Program Guide, please contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre – Mon. to Fri., 8 am – 5 pm, 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
