Clearwater County's Caring for My Land Grant (C4ML)

Recognizing the cost associated with on-the-ground practice change, the Caring for My Land (C4mL) program is intended to reduce the financial burden that comes with implementing beneficial practice change.

Funding is provided through the provincial Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP). WRRP focuses on improving upland and lowland areas making watersheds more resilient to seasonal runoff and high water events and periods of drought or water deficiency. 

COST SHARE: 25% - 75% up to $7,500

• Eligible rural farm and non-farm landowners will receive 75% cost share funding for riparian fencing along streams, creeks, rivers, springs and surface water bodies – up to $7,500 reimbursement per project. 25% cost share funding for eligible dugout fencing and offsite watering systems (projects benefitting watershed resiliency will be prioritized), and 50% cost share funding for all other approved projects and expenses – up to $5,000 reimbursement per project.

Eligible Projects include (but not limited to):

• Off-site watering systems
• Riparian or streambank fencing (include grazing plan)
• Cross fencing for rotational grazing to distribute nutrients
• Beaver pond levelers or exclusion fencing
• Bridge material for livestock crossings
• Portable windbreaks/shelters for winter feeding and bedding sites to help distribute nutrients away from runoff areas
• Development of berms, catchments or filtering buffers to catch runoff
• Establishment of eco-buffers, shelterbelts and deep rooted perennial forage to filter and retain water

Ineligible Projects include:

• Replacement of existing fence
• Drilling a new well
• Constructing a new dugout

*ALL projects must directly or indirectly protect natural surface water*

Call 403-845-4444 for more information or for an application.

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP)

The next agricultural policy framework, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year (2023–2028) investment by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. It has replaced Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), ending March 31, 2023.

Currently the Water Program is accepting applications for water supply projects (new wells and dugouts for agricultural use) and for irrigation projects. 

To be eligible for on-farm water supply projects under the Program, an applicant must be a primary producer that is:

• responsible for input costs or agricultural crops or livestock producing at least $10,000 worth of farm commodities annually, but does not include a landlord whose only interest in the crop or livestock is that of ownership of the land; and
• liable to pay Alberta income tax or corporate tax (or claim losses) on income from the production of farm commodities under the Income Tax Act (Canada) or the Alberta Corporate Tax Act.

Visit the program page to learn more about what is eligible for funding and to access application forms.