Page 1 of 5
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUBPROGRAM
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe Training and Organizational Development Subprogram has two distinct purposes: to provide assistance for group training to farmers; and to strengthen farm organizations through funding for strategic planning and training.
This sub-program is comprised of three initiatives:
A. Group Training for Farmers Page 3
B. Strategic Planning Page 4
C. Training for Executives Page 5
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit a completed application form and proposal to the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Approvals will be based on adherence to program objectives, cost-benefit analysis, and budget availability.
• Expenses incurred prior to application approval are not eligible for assistance under this Program.
• Recipients of funding under this program are consenting to the public release of their name, the amount of funding received, and the general nature of the project.
SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS
Submit completed, signed applications to:
PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry 11 Kent Street, P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8 Attention: Colleen Younie
[email protected] Fax: 902-368-4857
CLAIMING PROCESS
To be reimbursed, applicants must submit a claim form to the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry with invoices and proof of payment, project report and evaluation.
Your partner for a proactive and profitable agriculture community.
Page 2 of 5 Ver 2. – 12/30/15 TERMINATION
This program is effective April 1, 2013 and will terminate on March 31, 2018.
This program may be altered or discontinued without notice by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
ADMINISTRATION
This program is administered by the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry. CONTACT
Colleen Younie, Program Lead Business Development Program Phone: 902-314-1110
General Inquiries:
Agriculture Information Desk
PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry Toll-free: 1-800-734-3276
Tel: 368-4145
Page 3 of 5 A. GROUP TRAINING FOR FARMERS
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
To encourage Prince Edward Island farmers to investigate, understand and utilize improved business practices in their decision-making.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Eligible applicants will include agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations and groups of agricultural producers (five or more)
Ineligible applicants include for-profit businesses, educational institutions, and the private sector. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
A training program could include courses, seminars, workshops, and/or demonstrations, which may take place in central locations, over the internet, on farms, or some combination thereof. A training program may involve participants in group and/or one-on-one training sessions, and must be targeted toward agricultural producers, including beginning farmers. A minimum of five agricultural producers participating in the training is required.
Eligible Expenses include instructor fees and expenses, course materials to a maximum of $200 per participant, facilities and equipment rental, and other associated expenses. A portion of travel costs could be considered eligible, if training is not available locally.
Ineligible Expenses include participant food costs, in-kind contributions and administrative costs of the organization.
Eligibility of all expenses is at the discretion of the Program Evaluation Committee. ASSISTANCE
Assistance is available for 90% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $30,000 per project. A maximum of $80,000 per applicant is available during the life of the program.
In the case of a training program directed at a large group, the Department may consider increasing the project maximum, on a case by case basis.
APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Eligible applicants must submit an application which includes a proposal for a training program focused on the development of a business skill or skills, selected from the following eight categories: Marketing, Production, Financial Management, Human Resources, Social Responsibility, Succession Planning, Business Structure, or Business Goals.
A proposal should clearly describe learning objectives and include lesson plans, budget, time lines and instructor resumes. Instructors must be qualified and have experience in presenting similar training programs. They must not be promoting goods and services which they sell or with which they are otherwise associated. Instructor references and conflict of interest declarations may be required.
Page 4 of 5 B. STRATEGIC PLANNING
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
To help the Prince Edward Island agricultural industry to develop and expand through strategic planning.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
This initiative is available to provincial commodity groups and the two general farm organizations named under the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Act.
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Development of strategic plans that will position the industry to capture opportunities to enhance the viability and profitability of the sector and/or the Prince Edward Island agricultural industry.
Eligible Expenses include consultant fees and associated consultant costs. Other related costs may be considered.
Ineligible Expenses include food costs (except for those charged by the consultant), funding for core organizational services, in-kind contributions and administrative costs of the organization. Eligibility of all expenses is at the discretion of the Program Review Committee.
ASSISTANCE
Assistance is available for 40% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $15,000 per project. APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Eligible applicants must submit an application which includes a proposal for strategic planning.
A proposal should clearly describe objectives and process, demonstrate how the strategic plan will be beneficial to the industry and include budget, time lines and consultant resumes. Consultants must be qualified and have experience in organizational strategic planning. They must not be promoting goods and services which they sell or with which they are otherwise associated. References and conflict of interest declarations may be required.
Page 5 of 5 C. TRAINING FOR EXECUTIVES
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
To help Prince Edward Island agricultural industry organizations provide strong leadership through training for executives.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
This initiative is available to boards and staff of provincial commodity groups and the two general farm organizations named under the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Act.
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Skill development activities, including courses, seminars, and workshops, which are over and above the staff training and professional development responsibilities considered to be a normal part of doing business. Examples of eligible activities include but are not limited to leadership and governance training, executive development, strategic thinking and industry positioning training.
Eligible Expenses include but are not limited to tuition; registration fees; learning materials for eligible training activities; travel, meals and accommodations, if training is not available locally. Ineligible Expenses include but are not limited to in-kind contributions, administrative costs of the organization, salaries and per diems, salaries for replacement staff, purchase of capital assets. Eligibility of all expenses is at the discretion of the Program Review Committee.
INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Training activities which are deemed to be part of the normal cost of doing business, including but not limited to accounting and computer training, first aid and safety training, regular industry updating, attendance at regional and national meetings, farm trade shows, and annual conferences..
Training for the personal development of the applicant. Training leading to a degree.
ASSISTANCE
Assistance is available for 40% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $15,000 per project. APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Eligible applicants must submit an application which includes a proposal for training.
A proposal should clearly describe skills being developed, learning objectives and process, description of how the training will be beneficial to the industry and include budget, time lines and course details.
