Drought Recovery Initiative

• Copy of Livestock Inventory Record for August 1, 2025.
• Financial records or tax returns covering the Reference Period for livestock applicants, or the Reference Year for wild blueberry applicants.
• Paid invoices or receipts for all eligible feed and water costs, including transportation, for the applicable livestock periods.
• For wild blueberry applicants, paid invoices or receipts and/or product application and hive placement records for fertilizer, pesticides, and pollination for the Reference Year and for 2025 and 2026.
• Proof of payment for all invoices or receipts.

Who is eligible?

• Livestock producers, including cattle, sheep, and goats producers.
• Wild blueberry producers.

Eligible expenses

• Feed costs, including forage, grain, commercially prepared/pelleted ration, and other feed ingredients.
• Feed transportation.
• Water costs.
• Water transportation.
• Purchase and application of fertilizer, pesticides, and pollination for wild blueberry producers.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Travel expenses.
• Eligible expenses for which financial assistance was received from any other source.
• Administrative or general overhead.
• Operating expenses and existing staff wages or salaries.
• HST.

• Submit a complete application by August 31, 2026 for livestock producers or by November 30, 2026 for wild blueberry producers.
• Attach the required financial statements, all copies of invoices for eligible project costs incurred, and proof of payment.
• Return the completed application and supporting documents to Programs at the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture Programs Office or by email at agrirecovery@novascotia.ca.
• Farms with both livestock and wild blueberries may contact Programs before the livestock deadline to indicate that they intend to submit their application in two parts.

• If approved, the applicant will receive a Letter of Agreement that sets out the funding offered and the terms and conditions of approval.
• The applicant must review, sign, and return the Letter of Agreement within 30 days of the date of the letter or the funding will be forfeited.
• Applications and supporting information may be audited or verified before project commencement, during work, or upon completion by the Province of Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada, or other parties chosen by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.
• Applicants may be asked to complete an evaluation survey related to their final claim.
• Applicants must repay any amount determined through audit or inspection that is deemed to have been provided in excess of the funding they are entitled to.