How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $15000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Planning New Opportunities Program?

Planning New Opportunities Program is funded by Department of Agriculture, Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), Government of Nova Scotia

What are Planning New Opportunities Program's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a farm, Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community, agri-business or agriculture industry association. For farms, registration in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act is required, and the applicant must be actively farming with a gross commodity income of at least $30,000 annually. For agri-businesses, a minimum annual eligible income of $30,000 is necessary, with value-added processing of Nova Scotia agriculture products demonstrating economic impact.

Planning New Opportunities Program

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NS, Canada

Funding for farms and agri-businesses

Planning New Opportunities Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : April 1, 2024
Closing date : February 28, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Grant Providers

Department of Agriculture
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
Government of Nova Scotia

Program status

Closed

Overview of the Planning New Opportunities Program program

Get a non-repayable contribution to help you cover the costs of being more competitive, managing transition, developing risk management strategies and responding to change.

Eligible projects & activities

The Planning New Opportunities Program offers support for various consultancy and planning needs essential to fostering business growth, continuity, and safety in the agriculture sector. Eligible activities include the development and improvement of strategic business and safety plans.

Development of Business Plans, including Marketing and Succession Plans.
Creation of Feasibility Studies to assess potential projects or initiatives.
Formulation of Business Continuity and Emergency Preparedness Plans.
Design of Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategies.
Conducting Data Analysis to inform business decisions.
Engineering Plans for process improvement like Lean Management or Six Sigma.
Implementation of Food Safety Plans, including HACCP, Regulatory, and Global Food Safety Initiative Plans.
Development of Farm Health & Safety Plans, which may include Occupational Hygienist Services and Engineering Certification.
Translation Services for Food Safety and Farm Safety Plans, Product Labels, and Direct Marketing Materials.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 15,000

Developing a risk management strategy for climate change adaptation in agricultural practices

$ 15,000

Implementing a comprehensive risk management strategy for a dairy farm

$ 15,000

Transition management for a family-owned organic farm

$ 15,000

Adopting new agricultural technologies for a social enterprise farm

$ 15,000

Developing market research and analysis for a cooperative vineyard

Eligibility criteria of the Planning New Opportunities Program program

Eligibility for the Planning New Opportunities Program is determined based on the type of applicant and specific income and registration requirements.

The applicant must be a farm, Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community, agri-business, or agriculture industry association.
Farms must be currently and properly registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act.
Farms must have generated an annual eligible gross commodity income of at least $30,000.
Farms must have applicants who are at least 19 years old and actively farming in the program year.
Agri-businesses must represent identifiable Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products.
Agri-businesses must have generated an annual eligible agri-business income of at least $30,000.
Agri-businesses must conduct value-added processing of a raw Nova Scotia agriculture product with a direct partnership and significant economic impact on Nova Scotia's agriculture industry.
Agri-businesses must demonstrate the value or use of Nova Scotia products/ingredients.
Agriculture industry associations must demonstrate non-profit status by providing documentation.

Who is eligible?

This grant targets farms, Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi'kmaw communities, agri-businesses, and agriculture industry associations to enhance competitiveness and manage business risks.

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. To be eligible, your business must meet specific criteria, including being a farm, Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities, agri-business representing Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products, or an agriculture industry association with non-profit status.

Businesses not meeting the defined eligibility criteria
Companies outside the agriculture or agri-food industry

Eligible expenses

The grant covers expenses related to consulting, planning, process improvements, safety, and translations to help support and enhance farm and agri-business operations.

Consultant Services
Business Plan
Marketing Plan
Succession Plan
Feasibility Study
Business Continuity Plans
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Marketing Study
Digital Marketing Strategy
Social Media Strategy
Data Analysis Fees
Engineering Plan
Process Improvement Plans, such as Lean Management or Six Sigma
Food Safety Plan, including HACCP Based Plans, Regulatory Based Plans, and Global Food Safety Initiative Plans
Farm Health & Safety Plan
Development of Farm Safety Plan (policies, safe work practices, etc.)
Occupational Hygienist Services, such as air and noise monitoring
Engineering Certification
Translation Services for Food Safety Plan, Farm Safety Plan, and Product Labels (excluding printing)
Translation Services for Direct Marketing Materials (excluding printing)

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to farms, agri-businesses, and agriculture industry associations located in Nova Scotia. Eligible applicants must have a direct connection or impact on Nova Scotia's agricultural industry.

All applicants must be based in Nova Scotia.

Eligibility criteria of the Planning New Opportunities Program program

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.

Evaluation and selection criteria for this grant include:
- Demonstrated need for support
- Clarity and feasibility of the proposed project
- Potential impact on the farm or agri-business
- Alignment with program goals and objectives
- Financial viability of the project

How to apply to the Planning New Opportunities Program program

Review Eligibility and Guidelines

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for farms, agri-businesses, or agriculture industry associations.
Carefully read the program guidelines for detailed information on eligibility and project criteria.

Complete the Program Application Form

Obtain the Program Application Form from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.
Fill out the form with accurate details of your business and project plan.
Ensure you include any necessary supporting documents as indicated on the form.

Complete the Program Funding Registration Form

Complete the appropriate Program Funding Registration Form based on your applicant category (Farm, Agri-business, Industry Organization).
Ensure all information is up-to-date and accurate.

Gather Supporting Documentation

Collect quotes and supporting documents as required, such as proof of income and local ingredient purchases.

Submit the Application Package

Send your completed Program Application Form, Program Funding Registration Form, and supporting documents to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture Programs Division.
Use the contact details provided:
Address: 74 Research Drive, Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2
Email: prm@novascotia.ca
Fax: 902-893-7579

Await Confirmation

Look for confirmation that your application has been received and is under review.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Applicants are eligible for 75% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $15,000 per program year.
Farms with income under $30,000 are eligible for reduced maximum funding of $2,000 per program year.
No more than 100% of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible project costs.
Quotes for project expenses are required and must be included with the application.
Program funding is limited to one application per applicant per year.
Applicants must submit detailed proof of local ingredients purchases based on their income level.
A signed Letter of Agreement must be returned within 30 days to avoid forfeiting funding.
The program anticipates offerings in subsequent years, but availability may vary based on budget and government priorities.