Closed
La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund
Interest-free loans for agricultural business development in Vallée-du-Richelieu
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000
Timeline
- Open Date : December 8, 2025
- Closing date : February 8, 2026
Location
Montérégie, Quebec, Canada
Overview
The La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund provides interest-free loans of up to $10,000 to support start-up, development, or diversification projects for agricultural businesses located within the MRCVR. Eligible activities include the purchase of equipment or animals, consulting services, planting or land preparation, transformation, distribution, marketing, and other related initiatives.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : December 8, 2025
- Closing date : February 8, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- La Vallée-du-Richelieu
- Montérégie
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Launching new agricultural businesses within the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu territory.
- Developing or expanding existing agricultural activities.
- Diversifying operations of agricultural enterprises.
- Acquiring equipment or animals for agricultural projects.
- Undertaking transformation, distribution, or marketing initiatives related to agricultural production.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Agricultural businesses with their headquarters and activities located in the Vallée-du-Richelieu MRC
Who is not eligible
- Companies whose main activities are not related to agriculture.
- Enterprises whose head office and activities are located outside the territory of the MRC de la Vallée-du-Richelieu.
- Businesses seeking funding for the acquisition of quotas or other production shares.
- Enterprises that are not members in good standing of the local UPA union.
- Companies that do not have a ministerial identification number (NIM) as an agricultural producer.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of equipment or animals.
- Consulting service fees.
- Costs related to planting or preparing the land.
- Expenses for processing, distribution, or marketing.
- Acquisition of technologies, software, software packages, or patents (excluding R&D activities).
- Purchase or improvement of land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, as well as the construction, expansion, renovation, or development of land or premises.
- Working capital needs for the first year of operation (strictly related to activities).
- For business transfer projects: acquisition of ownership rights or assets of the targeted company, as well as professional fees directly related to the transaction and the transfer of management.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies headquartered and operating within the territory of the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu.
Additional information
- The fund requires a 20% equity contribution from the applicant, which may take various forms such as capital, equipment, fixed assets, or incorporation fees.
- Only two loans are awarded per year for a period of five years, based on a fixed fund capital.
- The fund is managed in collaboration with the local UPA union and Farm Credit Canada, along with the MRCVR.
- Applicants must be a member in good standing of the local UPA union and possess a ministerial identification number (NIM) confirming agricultural producer status.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund. 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 La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund?
The La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund provides interest-free loans of up to $10,000 to support start-up, development, or diversification projects for agricultural businesses located within the MRCVR. Eligible activities include the purchase of equipment or animals, consulting services, planting or land preparation, transformation, distribution, marketing, and other related initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund Funds up to 20% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was February 8, 2026.
Who is eligible for the La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund program?
To be eligible for the La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund program, you must:
The business must be primarily engaged in agriculture.
Head office and activities must be located in the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu.
The business must be a member in good standing of the local UPA union and hold a ministerial identification number (NIM) for agricultural producers.
What expenses are eligible under La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund?
Launching new agricultural businesses within the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu territory.
Developing or expanding existing agricultural activities.
Diversifying operations of agricultural enterprises.
Acquiring equipment or animals for agricultural projects.
Undertaking transformation, distribution, or marketing initiatives related to agricultural production.
Who can I contact for more information about the La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund?
You can contact RCM Vallée-Du-Richelieu (MRCVR) by email at dev.zoneagricole@mrcvr.ca or by phone at 4504640339.
Where is the La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund available?
The La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund program is available Montérégie, Quebec.