Open
Plant Your Roots Program
Support for new farm ownership and loan interest
Last Update: June 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
- Open Date : April 1, 2026
- Closing date : February 15, 2027
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
This program offers up to $100,000 in support for beginning farmers and first-time commercial farm purchases in Nova Scotia. It helps cover eligible loan interest on new commercial farm loans and supports farm ownership transition.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase production or service capacity
- Increase operational productivity
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : April 1, 2026
- Closing date : February 15, 2027
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- $ 30,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Starting a first commercial farm business
- Purchasing a first commercial farm
- Buying at least 25% interest in a commercial farm for the first time
- Borrowing for innovative technologies that improve labour efficiency
- Borrowing for technologies supporting local food production
- Borrowing for active farm locations or reactivating viable farmland
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Program Funding Registration form, if required
- Signed loan agreement
- Business plan with income projections, if required
- Proof of ownership percentage
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- New farmers
- Commercial farm buyers
- Farm businesses in Nova Scotia
- Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community
Who is not eligible
- Businesses seeking refinancing of existing loans
- Applicants using variable interest rate loans
- Applicants with residential mortgages or secondary financing
- Farm businesses that previously received benefits under FarmNEXT or this program
Eligible expenses
- Eligible loan interest on new commercial farm loans
- Loan-related costs tied to approved farm purchases or qualifying farm investments
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Refinancing existing loans
- Variable interest rate loans
- Operating lines of credit
- Residential mortgages
- Secondary financing such as second mortgages
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
- Mi'kmaw communities in Nova Scotia
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the Department of Agriculture.
- Approved applicants receive a Letter of Agreement outlining the funding and conditions.
- Applicants must review, sign, and return the Letter of Agreement within 30 days.
- Funding is then issued to the loan’s financial institution.
- Applications may be subject to audit and verification before, during, or after the project.
Additional information
- Applicants may only submit one application for this program.
- Applications from farms that previously received benefits under FarmNEXT or this program are not eligible.
- The Department of Agriculture may review and evaluate applications for audit, analysis, and program development.
- Applicants must agree to the use and disclosure of information for audit and evaluation purposes.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Plant Your Roots Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Plant Your Roots 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 Plant Your Roots Program?
This program offers up to $100,000 in support for beginning farmers and first-time commercial farm purchases in Nova Scotia. It helps cover eligible loan interest on new commercial farm loans and supports farm ownership transition.
How much funding can be received?
Plant Your Roots Program Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is **February 15, 2027**. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the Plant Your Roots Program program?
To be eligible for the Plant Your Roots Program program, you must:
Registered farm or Mi'kmaq applicant
Nova Scotia resident, age 19+
Beginning farmer or first-time farm buyer
What expenses are eligible under Plant Your Roots Program?
Starting a first commercial farm business
Purchasing a first commercial farm
Buying at least 25% interest in a commercial farm for the first time
Borrowing for innovative technologies that improve labour efficiency
Borrowing for technologies supporting local food production
Borrowing for active farm locations or reactivating viable farmland
Who can I contact for more information about the Plant Your Roots Program?
You can contact Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture by email at prm@novascotia.ca or by phone at 902-893-6377.
Where is the Plant Your Roots Program available?
The Plant Your Roots Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.