How much funding can be received?

Get up to $32,000 to cover up to 80% of eligible expenses to defray the cost of trucking limestone, to improve production efficiencies and to neutralize the acidity of the soil on agricultural land.

Financing terms and conditions

Program funding covers up to 80% of eligible expenses, with a maximum contribution of $32,000 per applicant.
Eligible expenses are limited to transportation costs of dolomitic and calcitic limestone, either via third-party trucking or self-haul, based on Department of Public Works gravel rates (including potential diesel surcharge up to 60%).
No payments are made for claims under $20.00.

Eligible projects & activities

Transporting dolomitic and calcitic limestone to agricultural land to address soil acidity.
Improving production efficiencies by enabling the delivery of limestone to farms.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 22,000

Self-haul limestone to enhance soil productivity at Sunnyside Farm

$ 27,200

Transport calcitic limestone to optimize soil conditions at Maple Leaf Agricultural

$ 20,960

Transport limestone to neutralize soil acidity at Green Valley Farms

$ 28,480

Transport 220 tonnes of calcitic limestone for soil treatment at Riverside Organic Farm

$ 16,960

Purchase and transport limestone to enhance soil quality at Happy Acres Cooperative

$ 25,400

Acquisition and delivery of dolomitic limestone to improve soil health at Prairie Bloom Cooperative

Eligibility criteria of the Limestone Trucking Assistance Program program

The applicant must be a farm registered under the Farm Registration Act and actively farming in the program year, with the applicant being at least 19 years of age.
The applicant must provide a recent (within the last 3 years) soil analysis lab report or a Nutrient Management Plan that supports the requirement for limestone application.
Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi'kmaw communities are eligible.
Agriculture industry associations must demonstrate not-for-profit status and represent identifiable Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products, as well as provide a valid soil analysis or Nutrient Management Plan.

Who is eligible?

Farms registered under the Nova Scotia Farm Registration Act
Mi’kmaq farming operations within Mi’kmaw communities
Agricultural industry associations, including Community Pastures, that represent Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products

Who is not eligible

Companies that are not actively engaged in farming activities.
For-profit organizations and businesses that do not represent identifiable Nova Scotia agriculture or agri-food products.
Entities unable to demonstrate not-for-profit status when applying as an agricultural industry association.
Applicants intending only to purchase limestone, rather than transport it.

Eligible expenses

Transportation costs of dolomitic and calcitic limestone delivered by a trucking company, reimbursed up to the lesser of actual trucking expenses or the Department of Public Works gravel rate (may include a diesel surcharge up to 60% based on delivery date).
Self-haul transportation costs of limestone, reimbursed based on the Department of Public Works gravel rates (may include a diesel surcharge up to 60% based on purchase date).

Eligible geographic areas

Nova Scotia
Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia

Eligibility criteria of the Limestone Trucking Assistance Program program

For this grant, evaluation and selection criteria are determined and processed by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA). They may carry out a review and evaluation of projects for audit, analysis, and program development purposes.

Review and evaluation of projects by NSDA or designated parties
Assessment may be conducted prior to project start, during, or upon completion
Applicants may be required to complete an evaluation survey
NSDA reserves the right to deny applications based on misrepresentation or non-conformance to the program spirit

How to apply to the Limestone Trucking Assistance Program program

Preparation

Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements, including having a current Farm Registration and a recent soil analysis or Nutrient Management Plan.

Download Documents

Obtain the Program Guidelines to understand detailed eligibility and application requirements.
Download the Limestone Trucking Application Form and the relevant Program Funding Registration Form (either for farm applicants or industry organization applicants).

Complete Application Forms

Fill out the Limestone Trucking Application Form, ensuring all details are accurate and complete.
Complete the appropriate Program Funding Registration (PFR) Form.

Assemble Required Documents

Gather all the necessary documents, including your current soil analysis or Nutrient Management Plan.

Submission

Submit the completed application form and all required documents to the Programs Division office at 74 Research Dr., Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2.
Applications can be submitted via mail, fax to 902-893-7579, or email to prm@novascotia.ca.

Confirmation

Ensure you receive confirmation of receipt of your application from the Programs Division.

Additional information

Applicants are allowed only one application per program year.
Applicants new to the Programs since 2023 must complete a Program Funding Registration form; returning applicants should update their information as needed.
Payments will not be made for claims under $20.00.
The Department of Agriculture may evaluate, audit, or request completion of an evaluation survey related to the funded project.

Documents and links

Limestone Trucking Assistance Program

Contact Government of Nova Scotia

prm@novascotia.ca

902-893-6377

Apply to this program

Support for innovative equitable low-carbon transition projects