Open
Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program
Supports farm environmental and climate resilience improvements
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000
Timeline
- Open Date : April 1, 2026
- Closing date : May 31, 2026
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
This program helps Nova Scotia primary producers adopt beneficial management practices to reduce environmental risks, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to climate change. It offers up to $20,000 for activities such as soil and crop management, integrated pest management, grazing management, and product handling and waste management.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : April 1, 2026
- Closing date : May 31, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- $ 30,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Soil and crop management projects that improve farm productivity, climate resiliency, and soil health.
- Integrated pest management projects that reduce pesticide use and support healthier crop production.
- Grazing management projects that improve wildlife habitat, pasture health, water quality, and climate resiliency.
- Product handling and waste management projects involving manure, fuel, chemical storage, composting, and agricultural waste management.
- Projects that protect species at risk or help livestock buildings reduce animal heat stress.
Documents Needed
- Complete application form
- Program Funding Registration form for new applicants since 2023
- Current Environmental Farm Plan, including relevant schedules
- Parcel Identification Number for the project location
- Long-term lease or rental agreement for eligible leased land projects
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered farms
- Community pastures
- Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities
Who is not eligible
- Businesses outside the agricultural sector categories listed by the program.
- Applicants that are not registered farms, community pastures, or Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities.
Eligible expenses
- Equipment and installation costs for soil and crop management measures, such as soil compaction reduction equipment, frost protection equipment, and weather stations.
- Costs for integrated pest management tools, including anti-insect barriers, weeding equipment, biosecurity installations, spray water tanks, monitoring equipment, lab analysis, and contractor fees.
- Grazing management equipment and installations, such as portable shelters, fencing, windbreaks, and solar systems for wintering sites.
- Product handling and waste management costs, including manure treatment and storage systems, composting equipment, dewatering and separation systems, storage improvements, engineer design, permits, site preparation, concrete pads, and contracted labour.
- Species-at-risk protection infrastructure and livestock misters to reduce animal heat stress.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Travel expenses
- Administrative or general overhead
- Buildings, building modifications, and sea containers
- Operating expenses and existing staff wages or salaries
- Small hand tools, HST, and in-kind contributions
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
- Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the Department of Agriculture and scored by a review committee against the program’s evaluation criteria.
- Approval depends on available program funding and is not guaranteed.
- If approved, the applicant receives a Letter of Agreement outlining the approved funding and terms and conditions.
- The applicant must sign and return the Letter of Agreement within 30 days or the funding will be forfeited.
- After the signed agreement is received, a Program Claim Form is sent for reimbursement with supporting invoices and proof of payment.
Additional information
- Applicants may submit only one application per year for this program.
- Applications are currently closed.
- Projects on leased or rented land require a long-term lease or rental agreement with the application.
- Projects may be subject to evaluation and audit before, during, or after completion.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program?
This program helps Nova Scotia primary producers adopt beneficial management practices to reduce environmental risks, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to climate change. It offers up to $20,000 for activities such as soil and crop management, integrated pest management, grazing management, and product handling and waste management.
How much funding can be received?
Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $20,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is **May 31, 2026**. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program program?
To be eligible for the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program program, you must:
Registered farm, community pasture, or Mi’kmaq farm operation
Farm Registration Act registration and $30,000+ farm income
Current Environmental Farm Plan required
What expenses are eligible under Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program?
Soil and crop management projects that improve farm productivity, climate resiliency, and soil health.
Integrated pest management projects that reduce pesticide use and support healthier crop production.
Grazing management projects that improve wildlife habitat, pasture health, water quality, and climate resiliency.
Product handling and waste management projects involving manure, fuel, chemical storage, composting, and agricultural waste management.
Projects that protect species at risk or help livestock buildings reduce animal heat stress.
Who can I contact for more information about the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program?
You can contact Government of Nova Scotia by email at prm@novascotia.ca or by phone at 902-893-6377.
Where is the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program available?
The Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
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