Indigenous Food Forest Program Application Form

Please complete the following application form to help determine whether your food forest project is in alignment with the values and goals of the Indigenous Food Forest Program.

If you have questions about this form or about the Indigenous Food Forest Program, please reach out to Rachel Lachance, Food Forest Program Manager, at rachel@efao.ca.

Application forms will be accepted until midnight on Friday December 12th, 2025.

Successful applicants will be notified in early January 2026.

The information provided on this application form will be shared with the Indigenous Food Forest Program Selection Committee, made up of EFAO staff and Indigenous partners.

EFAO is required to share the following information with the governments of Ontario and Canada:

Applicant’s full name
Applicant’s farm/business name
Food forest site address
Food forest project name and description

Beyond what is listed above, the information provided in this application form will be kept confidential.

The Indigenous Food Forest Program is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

I am applying:*

As an individual grower, farmer or land steward.On behalf of an Indigenous organization or group.On behalf of a First Nation government or community.

Do you have a business name for your farm/garden/business? If so please provide it here:

Do you have a 9-digit CRA business number? If so, please provide it here:

What is the name of the organization?

Is the organization or group incorporated? If so, please provide the 9-digit CRA business number here:

What is the name of the First Nation you are applying on behalf of?

Preferred Name:

Legal Name:*

First Name (i.e. “legal” name)Last Name (i.e. “legal” name)

Email Address:*

example@example.com

Phone Number:*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Mailing Address:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code

County/District:*

Food Forest Site Address (if different from mailing address):

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code

Do you have a website or Instagram page for your farm/garden business or organization? If so, please list the website address and/or Instagram handle.

This program is designed to support Indigenous-led food forest projects across Ontario. Funding is only available to Indigenous individuals, groups, organizations and communities. Please indicate which of the following Indigenous peoples you (or your group/organization/community) belong to (please select all that apply):*

First NationsMétisInuit

To address the recent increase in false claims of Indigenous identity, we ask that applicants demonstrate their Indigenous identity by uploading one of the following:

A photo of your status card, or
A letter from your First Nation or community, or a reference letter from someone in the community who can confirm your connection to the community, or
A photo of your Métis Nation citizenship card.

Please upload one of the documents listed above:

If you are unable to upload one of the above, please share more information about your Indigenous identity below.

Applicants may self-identify as Indigenous; however, please note that material benefits through this program are intended for individuals, groups and organizations who can demonstrate meaningful connection to a rights-bearing Indigenous community, Nation, or membership, according to Indigenous community protocols. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact info@efao.ca for support.

Are you related to staff or Board members of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, including by marriage/partnership? Please note that EFAO Staff, Board Members and their relations are not eligible to receive funding.*

YesNo

To be eligible for this program, you must be growing food (or planning to grow food) for more than personal/family use (i.e. for sale or community use). What are your plans for the food produced by your food forest? Please select all that apply.*

I plan to use the food produced by my food forest project to feed myself and my family.I plan to share the food produced by my food forest with members of my community.I plan to sell the food produced by my food forest to others.

Have you applied for, or do you intend to apply for, any additional sources of funding for this food forest project? Please note that any costs that will be funded or reimbursed by other funding organizations are not eligible for funding through the Indigenous Food Forest Program.*

YesNo

If so, please tell us about the additional funding you have applied for, or that you intend to apply for, and what that funding will be used for.

In order to receive funding through the Indigenous Food Forest Program, recipients must participate in the Food Forest Learning Circle - a series of monthly online, knowledge-sharing meetings with other funding recipients to learn together and from Indigenous knowledge holders about the establishment and care of food forests and develop a Food Forest Project Plan.

If your project receives funding through the Indigenous Food Forest Program, do you commit to participate in the Food Forest Learning Circle as a part of your project funding support? This includes online gatherings every 4–6 weeks where participants learn together, share progress, receive support throughout the project and develop a Food Forest Project Plan.*

YesNoUnsure, I would like more information.

If your food forest project receives funding through the Indigenous Food Forest Program, you will have access to optional support from an experienced food forest steward. For which of the following (if any) aspects of your food forest project would you be interested in working with an experienced food forest steward?*

Site selection (for example, choosing a site for the food forest, site considerations, site mapping)Site preparation (for example, planning any earth moving work, soil test analysis, irrigation planning)Ordering trees, plants and other suppliesPlanting supportSite maintenance support (for example, preparing your food forest for winter, tree pruning support)None of the aboveOther (please describe):

Project Overview:

Please provide a name for your food forest:*

Please provide a short overview (2-3 sentences) describing your food forest project:*

Project Details:

What is the estimated completed size (in acres) of your food forest project?*

What types of plants, trees, or foods will you grow?*

Land & Site Information:

Do you own the land where the food forest will be established?*

YesNo

If no, please describe your land access arrangement for the food forest site below. For example: Certificate of Possession, Certificate of Occupation, collective ownership, lease, community land, consent from Chief and Council, agreement with a landholder, etc.

Have you selected the site where your food forest will be located?*

YesNo

If yes, please describe in detail the current state of the land (existing vegetation, soil conditions, water access, features like trees or slopes) and any site preparation needed before planting.

Project Readiness & Experience:

Please tell us about any previous experience you have with food forests and/or growing food:*

When would you like to begin planting your food forest (approximate month and year)?*

How long do you expect the planting and establishment phase of your food forest to take? *Note: Most projects will be completed over two years to support thoughtful planning, site preparation, and phased planting for long-term success.*

One year (all planting will be completed by the end of 2026)Two years (all planting will be completed by the end of 2027)

Do you have someone in your organization, group or community who will take the lead on the implementation and maintenance of your food forest project? Please explain:*

Long-Term Vision & Impacts:

What are your long-term goals for your food forest project?*

What positive impacts will your food forest project have for yourself and/or your community?*

What positive ecological impacts do you anticipate your food forest project will have? *

A food forest is a long-term, ongoing project designed to grow and evolve over many years. What assets (for example: land, knowledge, volunteers, leadership) does your food forest project have that will contribute to its long-term viability and how will they be beneficial? *

What challenges do you foresee that might affect the long-term success of your food forest project?*

Funding & Support:

Why is funding from the Indigenous Food Forest Program important for your food forest project? How will this support help you move forward or achieve your goals?*

Funding of up to $40,000 (individual projects) and $100,000 (community projects) is available to support food forest establishment over one or two years, for costs incurred between July 15th, 2025 and Dec 31st, 2027.

Please estimate the total costs for establishing your food forest project in the following categories in the table below.

*Please note that this does not need to represent your final budget but will help give us a sense of the scale of your project. We are happy to work with you on developing a final budget through one-on-one meetings and through the Food Forest Learning Circle.

Community Projects Stream:*

	Year 1: Jul 15th 2025 - Dec 31st 2026	Year 2: Jan 1st - Dec 31st 2027
Costs of site planning, such as mapping, soil tests, consultation:
Site preparation costs like earth moving, grading of land, soil preparation, equipment rental:
Costs of soil, soil amendments and fertilizers, mulch:
Costs of plants, trees, shrubs:
Costs of small tools and equipment (up to a maximum of $1,000 per year):
Season extension equipment:
Irrigation supplies, rainwater collection systems:
Electric fencing (up to a maximum of $3.50/m of installed fencing with a standard (plug-in) fence energizer or $6.50/m of installed fencing if using a solar fence energizer.
Permanent fencing (up to a maximum of $18.00/m):
Hiring/contracting services required for implementing a food forest, including: site preparation services, soil erosion control contractors, tree and shrub planting specialists, seeding/planting specialists, professional foresters and other qualified tree and shrub expert advisors, soil testing services, water quality testing services, rainwater collection and passive water system design professional services, geographic mapping experts.
Contribution towards salary costs needed for staff to implement the food forest project:
Costs for events related to establishing a food forest, such as workbees, community events, etc. including: costs to rent a facility up to a maximum of $2,500.00 per event; catering costs for events, excluding alcoholic beverages, up to a maximum of $45/day, including taxes and gratuities.
Costs to develop resources for the food forest project, including translation services to Indigenous languages:
Costs for signage at project locations, including costs for third party service providers for translation services to Indigenous languages:
Honouraria to compensate Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers:
Total project costs:

Individual Projects Stream:*

	Year 1: Jul 15th 2025 - Dec 31st 2026	Year 2: Jan 1st - Dec 31st 2027
Costs of site planning, such as mapping, soil tests, consultation:
Site preparation costs like earth moving, grading of land, soil preparation, equipment rental:
Costs of soil, soil amendments and fertilizers, mulch:
Costs of plants, trees, shrubs:
Costs of small tools and equipment (up to a maximum of $1,000 per year):
Season extension equipment:
Irrigation supplies, rainwater collection systems:
Electric fencing (up to a maximum of $3.50/m of installed fencing with a standard (plug-in) fence energizer or $6.50/m of installed fencing if using a solar fence energizer.
Permanent fencing (up to a maximum of $18.00/m):
Hiring/contracting services required for implementing a food forest, including: site preparation services, soil erosion control contractors, tree and shrub planting specialists, seeding/planting specialists, professional foresters and other qualified tree and shrub expert advisors, soil testing services, water quality testing services, rainwater collection and passive water system design professional services, geographic mapping experts.
Total project costs:

Are there other costs not listed above that are essential to the establishment of your food forest project? If so, please describe the cost, and list the total amount you expect to spend on the item(s). *Please note that costs that are not listed in the table above may not be eligible for funding:

How did you hear about the Indigenous Food Forest Program?

Agreement to the following terms and conditions:*

	Please Check the Box to Indicate Your Agreement
I understand that in order to receive funding through the Indigenous Food Forest Program, recipients must participate in the Food Forest Learning Circle - a series of monthly online, knowledge-sharing meetings with other funding recipients to learn together and from Indigenous knowledge holders about the establishment and care of food forests. This includes online gatherings every 4–6 weeks where participants learn together, share progress, receive support throughout the project and develop a Food Forest Project Plan.
All information submitted on the application is true and complete, to the best of my knowledge, belief and understanding.
All sources of funding for the proposed food forest project, other than my own cash contribution, have been disclosed in this application, including sources and amounts from federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and such funds do not, and will not exceed 100% of total project costs.
I am not, nor is any officer, director or employee of mine, a current or former federal public office holder or federal public servant, or, if I, or any officer, director or employee of mine are a current or former federal public officer holder or federal public servant, I or that officer, director or employee of mine are in compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act, the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-employment, as applicable.
I am not, nor is any officer, director or employee of mine, a member of the House of Commons or of the Senate, or if I, or any officer, director or employee of mine are, I or the officer, director or employee of mine, are permitted under the Parliament of Canada Act to receive funding from Canada under Sustainable CAP.
Ontario, EFAO or Canada, including, their respective Ministers, directors, officers, agents, employees, or representatives (as applicable) shall not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, or howsoever arising, including damage or loss arising from any advice, opinions, representations, warranties, or the provision of information under Sustainable CAP.
I am a legal signing authority for the farm, business, or organization and am authorized to submit this application on behalf of the applicant.

I have read and agree with the above terms and conditions.

Indigenous Food Forest Program

Please share your contact information:

Please tell us about yourself:

Please tell us about your food forest project:

Project Overview:

Project Details:

Land & Site Information:

Project Readiness & Experience:

Long-Term Vision & Impacts:

Funding & Support:

Project Budget:

Terms & Conditions: