First Nations Funding for Greenhouses in BC: How to Get a Greenhouse Through the Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty Grant
If you or someone you know is an Indigenous entrepreneur or member of a First Nation community, business, or organization in British Columbia, you may be eligible for a greenhouse through the Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty (IFS) Grant. Find out what the IFS grant is and how to apply for First Nations funding for greenhouses.
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What is the Indigenous Food Security & Sovereignty (IFS) Grant?
The IFS Grant program aims to support the growth and sustainability of Indigenous agriculture and food sovereignty. It does this by providing non-repayable funding to First Nation communities, Indigenous organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs working to strengthen Indigenous food systems. The IFS program is a 3-year initiative funded by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food and will provide grants through December 2025.
The IFS program is an initiative of the New Relationships Trust (NRT), which was established in 2006 with a $100 million investment from the BC government (of which $30 million is allocated to the IFS program). This resulted from the Transformative Change Accord Agreement between the First Nation Leadership Council, the BC government, and the federal government.
The goal of this agreement is to ensure that indigenous-led initiatives to promote healthy communities are adequately resourced. NRT offers a range of grants supporting different themes, including education and economic development. The IFS grant includes First Nations funding for greenhouses, irrigation, food storage, community gardens, and more.
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Benefits of First Nations Funding for Greenhouses
The IFS program is meant to address gaps in Indigenous agriculture and food-related projects as well as to support traditional food systems and increase the quantity and quality of foods available in Indigenous communities. Greenhouses are an important form of agricultural infrastructure that allow farmers to extend the growing season of crops, as well as to protect crops from pests and adverse weather conditions. Greenhouses make it possible to supply fresh produce in remote and Northern areas where people may otherwise have limited access to vegetables. Being able to grow vegetables contributes to self-sufficiency, reduced food insecurity, and better health for communities.
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How to Access First Nations Funding for Greenhouses Through the IFS Grant
There are two streams of funding available through IFS: 1) Up to $150,000 for the planning and design of a food security project, including activities such as community engagement, feasibility studies, and more; 2) Up to $250,000 for costs associated with implementing a food security project. First Nations funding for greenhouses falls under the eligible expenses for the second stream.
Eligibility Requirements for IFS Grant
You must be based in British Columbia to apply for this First Nations funding for greenhouses. Eligible applicants include First Nation Communities, Tribal Councils, Metis Nation Chartered Communities, Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in food production or processing, and Indigenous-led not-for-profit organizations.
Applicants should be prepared to produce documentation that demonstrates that Indigenous peoples have at least 51% decision-making power at the governance level of the organization. Individuals must be able to validate their Indigenous ancestry or affiliation through status cards or other methods of verifying an authentic connection to their Indigenous heritage.
How to Apply for Greenhouse Funding
To apply, you must fill out the application form available for download on the New Relationship Trust website’s IFS page. In addition to filling in required eligibility information, the application requires you to provide a project name, location, proposed start and end date, and a brief project overview.
In the budget section of the application, you will need to list the anticipated expenses of your project, which is where the cost associated with greenhouses should be entered. For expenses greater than $15,000, you will need to submit the name of the supplier and include an official quotation. The helpful members of the Slip Tube team can work with you to figure out how a greenhouse will help you achieve your project goals and provide the quote you need for your application.
The IFS program has a rolling intake and approval process as long as funding is available, within the following time intervals:
- Intake 1 began on August 1, 2023, and closes on December 1, 2023
- Intake 2 begins on May 1, 2024, and closes on December 1, 2024
- Intake 3 begins May 1, 2025, and closes on December 1, 2025
Why Choose Slip Tube for Your IFS Grant Application
With over four decades of experience in manufacturing high-quality greenhouses and shelters, we are uniquely qualified to provide customized solutions for your greenhouse needs. There are several reasons why you should consider Slip Tube when applying for First Nations funding for greenhouses.
The Best Quality Greenhouse Components
We don’t cut corners when it comes to choosing our raw materials and suppliers. We use the highest quality North American mechanical steel tubing for our frames, which ensures that our structures stand the test of time. All fittings and connectors used to construct greenhouses and other structures, including arches, are created in-house and are hot-dipped in galvanized steel to prevent corrosion.
Efficient Manufacturing and Installation
We design and build custom orders within two to three weeks of receiving a purchase order. Slip Tube greenhouses are easy to install, making it possible for you to become operational more quickly and get the agriculture results you need.
Customized Solutions for Your Food Security Project
Our skilled team includes talented welders, fabricators, designers, and installers, all working together to meet your needs. Regardless of your specific requirements, Slip Tube can provide a greenhouse that helps you meet your goals for your IFS grant. We can customize greenhouses to meet your shape, width, height, door options, and anchoring. We are also able to provide site-specific engineering to satisfy local building codes and permits.
Excellent Customer Service and Support
After providing greenhouse solutions for a variety of businesses for 40+ years throughout Canada and the U.S., our family-owned and operated business is well-equipped to manufacture and supply leading commercial and industrial greenhouses. We enjoy thinking outside of the box to bring your ideas to life to ensure you get the best growing results possible.
We are committed to providing high-quality greenhouses that improve the agricultural productivity, food security, and community health of Indigenous communities in BC. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you design a greenhouse for your IFS grant application.