Closed
Source verified August 3, 2026
New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA)
Funding for new farm business growth and infrastructure
Latest source updateLast Update: July 31, 2026Latest change: The NEFBA program page now shows Phase 2 approval decisions underway and adds a March to April 2026 review window with notification expected by April 15, 2026.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 31, 2026
Latest change: The NEFBA program page now shows Phase 2 approval decisions underway and adds a March to April 2026 review window with notification expected by April 15, 2026.
NEFBA Phase 2 review dates added
The NEFBA program page now says Phase 2 approval decisions are underway and that applicants can expect notification by April 15, 2026. It also adds a March to April 2026 Phase 2 review window. The program’s status message has been updated from intake closed to approval decisions underway, which mainly affects the timeline and current decision stage rather than the eligibility rules or funding terms.
Funding available
$ 1,250 - $ 15,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Primary agriculture producers in British Columbia who grow or raise products for sale.
See full eligibility
Overview
The program provides up to $1,250 for a self-developed business plan or up to $3,000 for consultant support, plus Phase 2 cost-share funding up to 75% of project costs to a maximum of $15,000. It supports new farm businesses with business planning, growth strategies, and commercial farm infrastructure investments.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase production or service capacity
- Develop a new product or service
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Minimum amount : 1,250 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Develop or update a farm business plan.
- Prepare a growth strategy.
- Purchase commercial farm infrastructure and equipment.
- Expand physical structures.
Documents Needed
- New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program application
- Business plan
- Growth strategy
- Project budget for growth strategy
- Supplier quotations and any related documents for the requested infrastructure and/or equipment
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Primary agriculture producers in British Columbia who grow or raise products for sale.
- Commercial for-profit farm businesses whose primary purpose is the production and sale of agricultural products.
- Sole proprietorships, B.C. registered business entities, and unregistered business entities committed to registering as a business before the completion of Phase 1 in February 2026.
- Health Canada licensed Cannabis and Hemp producers.
Who is not eligible
- Aquaculture, seaweed, fish and/or seafood producers or processors; aquaponic food producers.
- Not-for-profit organizations, societies, or industry associations representing agriculture, food, or seafood producers/processors with commercial operations.
- Private training and educational institutions; K-12 educational institutions; municipalities and regional districts.
- Organizations that primarily support non-commercial food production, such as recreational growers, community gardens, or other agriculture initiatives with limited commercial production capacity; unlicensed cannabis operations.
- Applicants who have already been approved for cost-shared funding for the same activities from the Beneficial Management Practices Program, Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program, Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership Program, or the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Fund after April 1, 2025.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of Infrastructure
- Expansion of physical structures
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- GST, interest payments on loans, income tax preparation, and costs associated with gathering data such as soil analysis, tissue analysis, germination and seed viability testing, and crop scouting activities.
- Legal, accounting, and other costs associated with implementing the plan; legal agreements between stakeholders or separate businesses; activities and costs associated with preparing or compiling applications and forms for other Provincial or federal programs.
- Costs incurred before receipt of the NEFBA Program approval letter, before approval of the project, or after the project completion date; activities and costs for which the applicant has already received government funding.
- Operating expenses, used equipment unless from a reputable used dealership, purchase of land, sale of equipment, perimeter fencing, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), productive farm units, and variable expenses for agriculture products such as fertilizer, chemicals, livestock, seed, feed, and fuel.
- Phase 2 only: community gardens for individual consumption, equipment for providing custom work, riding lessons and/or boarding horses, land and facilities rent, aquaculture, raising animals for pets and/or domestic households, agri-tourism initiatives, forestry products, waste recovery, government payments or any other non-commodity income, and secondary food processing.
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- Eligibility requirements
- Quality of the business plan and growth strategy
- Merit of the Phase 2 project
- Ability of the project to support business growth
- Financial viability and readiness to complete the project
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare the application
- Review the program guide and requirements.
- Create the required business account to apply online.
- Complete the program application and supporting documents.
- Step 2: Submit Phase 1 application
- Submit the application online during the intake period.
- Wait for eligibility review and approval notice.
- Step 3: Complete Phase 1 work
- Develop or update the business plan and growth strategy.
- Submit them for reimbursement by the required deadline.
- Step 4: Apply for Phase 2 by invitation
- If invited, submit the Phase 2 package with the partial budget and supplier quotes.
- Include any required project diagrams or related documents.
- Step 5: Sign agreement and claim reimbursement
- Review and return the agreement within 14 days if approved.
- Complete the project and submit the reimbursement claim with invoices and contribution proof.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by Ministry staff and, for Phase 2, a panel of business specialists.
- Approved applicants receive an approval letter with eligible activities, funding amount, and reporting requirements.
- Applicants must return a written agreement within 14 days.
- Claims must include invoices and proof of cash and in-kind contributions.
- Projects are reimbursed after completion and review.
Additional information
- The program is competitive, so it is not guaranteed you will receive funding.
- Eligible applicants are limited to a single application.
- Review and evaluation of projects in any stage of the program may be carried out by the Government of B.C. or other parties chosen by the Government of B.C. for the purpose of audit, analysis, evaluation, program development and determining financial assistance.
- Applicants who participate in this program are required to complete up to two, 15 to 20-minute questionnaires, after their participation in the program and up to five years after their funded Project is completed.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) Program
What is the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA)?
The program provides up to $1,250 for a self-developed business plan or up to $3,000 for consultant support, plus Phase 2 cost-share funding up to 75% of project costs to a maximum of $15,000. It supports new farm businesses with business planning, growth strategies, and commercial farm infrastructure investments.
How much funding can be received?
New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $15,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) program?
To be eligible for the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) program, you must:
Primary agriculture producer in British Columbia
Farm income reported for 5 years or less
Commercial for-profit farm business
What expenses are eligible under New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA)?
Develop or update a farm business plan.
Prepare a growth strategy.
Purchase commercial farm infrastructure and equipment.
Expand physical structures.
Who can I contact for more information about the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA)?
You can contact Government of British Columbia (BC) by email at AgriBusiness@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 1-888-221-7141.
Where is the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) available?
The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator Program (NEFBA) is a Grant and Funding