By Jason Falk, B.Sc, Agriculture Program Specialist, Swift Current
December 2024
The Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program, offered under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, provides funding for eligible Saskatchewan’s agri-businesses to adopt advanced technologies, upgrade equipment and enhance manufacturing processes so that they can create new efficiencies and increase growth in a critical sector of the province’s economy.
SLIM is a pre-approval program and clients can work closely with ministry specialists through the various steps in the application process. Through the tiered funding model, agri-businesses can access rebates up to $750,000. Eligible expenses under SLIM are categorized into three streams: efficiency, expansion and emissions reduction. The efficiency and expansion streams offer a 50 per cent rebate while the emissions reduction stream offers a 60 per cent rebate for any qualifying expenses.
Flexible parameters have been established for Indigenous applicants to ensure accessibility. Indigenous communities and companies can connect with one of the Building and Strengthening Indigenous Supports (BASIS) team members to learn more about opportunities available under SLIM.
master brewer Mbaku Hamidu Adma
standing next to his Earthly Labs
CiCi Oak Carbon Capture Machine
District Brewing Company used SLIM in their innovative approach to reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Joe Van Heerden, the General Manager and CEO, accessed SLIM funding in purchasing cutting-edge carbon capture equipment. This technology not only captures and purifies carbon dioxide during the fermentation process but also stores it for later use in carbonating beverages.
Van Heerden highlights how SLIM funding was essential in the business’s environmental initiative, stating, "SLIM played an indispensable role in our journey toward environmental leadership. The funding provided the necessary support for acquiring carbon capture technology, a key component of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint. SLIM allowed us to make such a large purchase in a timely manner."
Beyond carbon capture, District Brewing also focuses on operational efficiency by repurposing byproducts such as grain residues from the brewing process. These byproducts are offered to local farmers for use as livestock feed, showcasing a thorough approach to sustainability.
Van Heerden highly recommends the SLIM program to any business seeking to grow operations while also reducing emissions and costs.
With a goal of becoming net zero by 2040, Van Heerden believes SLIM will continue to be of great assistance, "We are exploring various paths to reach this goal, and SLIM will undoubtedly continue to be instrumental as we progress.”
For more information on the SLIM program and how it can benefit your agri-business, please contact your local agriculture programs specialist. Questions and inquiries can be directed to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Programs Branch at agprograms@gov.sk.ca or by contacting the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1‑866‑457‑2377. For technical assistance or other value-added inquiries, please contact the Ministry of Agriculture Value-Added Unit at agrivalue@gov.sk.ca.