Growing Greenhouses Program Announced
The Growing Greenhouses Program supports the year-round availability of locally grown food by accelerating growth in Alberta’s controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector. The program supports the construction of new greenhouses and vertical farms and projects that increase the productivity of existing operations and vertical farms.
1. Who is Eligible?
To be eligible, an applicant must:
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Own and operate a greenhouse or vertical farm in Alberta, or intend to own and operate one that will be constructed as part of the proposed project.
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Be an individual resident of Alberta or an Alberta-registered corporation, partnership, or co-operative.
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The project must result in a greenhouse or vertical farm that operates year-round to produce food, with at least 50% of the growing area dedicated to food production.
2. How Much Funding is Available?
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Cost-Share: Eligible expenses are cost-shared at 50% grant and 50% applicant.
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Maximum Funding:
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The overall program funding maximum is $4 million per applicant over the program term (2025-2028).
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The maximum funding per fiscal year is $2 million.
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The grant is paid on a reimbursement basis after the expenses are claimed and approved.
3. What Type of Projects are Considered?
The program supports projects that build new facilities or increase the productivity of existing ones.
Project Requirements:
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Project Type
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Minimum Requirement
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New Greenhouse/Vertical Farm
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Total project investment must be no less than $2 million.
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Existing Greenhouse/Vertical Farm
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Must increase the annual production of food within the project area by at least 10% compared to previous years’ production.
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Eligible Activities (Funding supports the purchase, installation, commissioning, and operator training of high-efficiency technologies within these categories):
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Renewable & Efficient Energy
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Advanced Lighting Systems
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Energy-Saving Construction
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Automation & Robotics
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Engineering & Installation
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Training Support
