Plant Your Roots Program — Commercial Farm Purchases
NS, Canada
Funding for new commercial farming in Nova Scotia
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 15, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Department of Agriculture
- Government of Nova Scotia
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Gain access to financial assistance to support new ownership of commercial farms by improving your financial stability during your first years of operation.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Plant Your Roots Program offers financial support for specific projects and activities aimed at establishing and expanding commercial farms in Nova Scotia. The eligible activities for this grant focus on promoting innovative technologies and enhancing local food production.
- Innovative technologies with a focus on labor efficiencies
- Technologies supporting local food production
- Commercial farm purchases
- Investment in properties to create active farm locations or reactivate viable farmland
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$80,000
Montreal
Purchase of high-efficiency tractor for sustainable farming practices
$70,000
Vancouver
Implement solar energy system to reduce farm operating costs
$50,000
Halifax
Upgrade irrigation system for increased crop yield and efficiency
$60,000
Calgary
Expand greenhouse facilities to increase vegetable production
$30,000
Toronto
Hire agricultural consultant for improving farm yield and sustainability
$40,000
Ottawa
Introduce new crop varieties and upgrade soil health management
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Plant Your Roots Program outlines specific company eligibility criteria for farms in Nova Scotia.
- Applicant must be currently registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act.
- Applicant must be at least 19 years of age, a resident of Nova Scotia, and actively farming in the program year.
- For Stream 1, new farmers must have owned a farm business for less than five years and have not yet achieved $30,000 in farm revenue.
- For Stream 2, applicants must be purchasing an existing commercial farm (100% interest) or purchasing at least 25% interest in a commercial farm for the first time.
- Applicants must reach a minimum level of annual gross income by March 2028, equivalent to the amount of rebate received, proportionate to the ownership percentage in the farm business.
- The commercial farm being purchased must be a farm business that generates an annual gross income of at least $30,000.
- Applicants must provide a copy of the loan agreement and meet other funding requirements.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Plant Your Roots program is designed to support new ownership of commercial farms in Nova Scotia. It aims to improve the financial stability of beginner farmers, particularly those involved in purchasing or establishing commercial farming operations.
- Farms in Nova Scotia
- Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Based on the Plant Your Roots program guidelines, some types of companies that are not eligible for this grant include:
- Companies not conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community
- Companies not registered under the Farm Registration Act
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant. Eligible expenses include:
- Improvements to farm infrastructure
- Purchase of necessary equipment
- Operating costs related to farm activities
- Professional services directly related to farm operations
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is specifically for farms in Nova Scotia. Eligible participants must be residents of Nova Scotia actively engaged in farming activities within the region.
- Nova Scotia
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Plant Your Roots Program. The criteria include:
- Proper registration under the Farm Registration Act
- Active farming in the program year
- Establishing a farm business with commercial scale goals within 5 years
- Purchasing at least 25% interest in a commercial farm in Nova Scotia for the first time
grant_single_labels|register
Step 1: Application Submission
- Submit a complete application within 6 months of loan approval and by February 15, 2025.
- Ensure that the application is complete and includes all required documents.
- Applicants new to the program since 2023 must complete the Program Funding Registration form (PFR).
- Returning clients must update the form with any changes to business information.
Step 2: Approval Process
- Completed applications will be reviewed by NSDA as they are received.
- If approved, applicants will receive a Letter of Agreement (LOA) and a Repayment Agreement.
Step 3: Agreement Completion
- Review, sign and return the LOA and Repayment Agreement to Programs within 30 days of the date of the letter.
- Failure to return these documents within the specified time will result in the forfeiture of Program funding.
Step 4: Submission of Documents
- Submit all documents to Programs at the provided address, email or fax number.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
In addition to the eligibility and application criteria for the Plant Your Roots Program, applicants should be aware of the following information to navigate the grant process efficiently:
- The program provides an interest rebate based on a four-year projected calculation of eligible loan interest on new loans, with a maximum benefit of $100,000.
- Applicants must have their loan application submitted within 6 months of loan approval.
- Loans must have a fixed interest rate and should not be variable interest rate loans or operating lines of credit.
- Farms that have previously participated in the FarmNEXT program are not eligible.
- Applicants must reach specific income milestones by March 2028 to avoid repayment obligations.
- A repayment agreement is required, stipulating conditions if the business or related assets are sold or the business is discontinued within five years.
- NSDA has the authority to audit and requires potential evaluation survey completion from applicants.
- Applicants' names and grant amounts are disclosed publicly by NSDA, which may also share limited information with other government bodies if necessary.
grant_single_labels|contact
prm@novascotia.ca
902-893-6377
Apply to this program
Plant Your Roots Program: Supporting New Farm Ownership in Nova Scotia
The Plant Your Roots program aids new commercial farm owners in Nova Scotia by providing financial support during their initial years of operation. The goal is to promote economic stability for beginning farmers through an interest rebate calculated over four years on eligible new farm loans.
Comprehensive Guide to the Plant Your Roots Program
The Plant Your Roots program, administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, is a strategic initiative designed to encourage the transition of new farmers into the commercial farming sector. This program is vital for Nova Scotia's agricultural industry, aiming to foster a supportive environment for beginning farmers who demonstrate potential but require financial assistance to secure their foothold in the industry. Recognizing the inherent challenges of starting a commercial farm, the program's primary objective is to improve financial stability through strategic financial interventions.
At the heart of this initiative is the interest rebate, a unique financial incentive that aims to reduce the burden of initial capital investment for eligible participants. Loans for new and innovative agricultural technologies, commercial farm acquisitions, and infrastructure necessary for enhancing agricultural productivity qualify for this program. The rebate covers interest payments over the first four years of new loans, up to a maximum benefit of $100,000. By potentially reducing the costs associated with agricultural loans, the program supports farmers in redirecting their resources toward farm expansion and productivity improvements.
The Plant Your Roots program is particularly advantageous for marginalized communities, including Mi'kmaq communities, women, individuals with disabilities, and other equity-deserving groups. The program acknowledges the rich diversity of Nova Scotia and aims to ensure that the benefits of this grant are widely accessible. This commitment to inclusivity not only strengthens the fabric of Nova Scotia's agriculture sector but also ensures a variety of perspectives and innovations contribute to its growth.
Applicants are divided into two streams, each tailored to the differing circumstances of new farmers. Stream 1 targets beginning farmers who have been involved in farm business ownership for less than five years, with an emphasis on those who have not yet reached a gross farm revenue of $30,000. Stream 2, on the other hand, is aimed at those purchasing their first commercial farm or a significant interest in a commercial farm for the first time. This structure ensures that resources are allocated to support the wide range of new farmers and their specific needs.
Eligible applicants must meet several key criteria. Critical among these is active farming within Nova Scotia and registration under the Farm Registration Act in the correct income category. Also, applicants must be at least 19 years old and residents of Nova Scotia. Meeting these prerequisites ensures that the funding is directed toward active participants in the industry who can leverage this support effectively.
The application process is straightforward yet thorough, designed to ensure that the most deserving candidates benefit from the program. Interested parties must submit a comprehensive application within six months of loan approval and before the February 15, 2025 deadline. Each applicant is required to submit detailed documentation, including loan agreements and financial statements, to facilitate a robust evaluation of their suitability for the program. The Department of Agriculture adopts a rigorous yet supportive approach, ensuring transparency and assistance throughout the application process.
Successful applicants receive a Letter of Agreement and a Repayment Agreement, outlining the terms and conditions of the program funding. The Plant Your Roots program extends beyond initial approval, with mechanisms for review and adjustment as farming businesses evolve. This continuous engagement supports the strategic growth and stabilization of new farms, contributing to the overall advancement of Nova Scotia's agriculture industry.
Moreover, the program requires recipients to meet certain revenue targets by March 2028, positively driving new entrants to scale up their operations and achieve sustainable growth. Should an applicant fail to meet these targets, the program has measures in place to reclaim funds, thus ensuring accountability and effective use of resources.
The Plant Your Roots program is set to operate annually, with potential continuity until 2028, subject to budget availability and policy priorities. By providing a strategic framework that combines financial incentives with developmental guidance, the program significantly impacts Nova Scotia's agricultural landscape. It is an essential tool in championing new ideas, practices, and players whom might otherwise find it challenging to establish themselves in this vital sector.
Overall, the Plant Your Roots program forms a cornerstone of Nova Scotia’s efforts to nurture a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable agricultural economy. By creating pathways for new farmers to succeed, the program ensures the longevity and dynamism of the province's agricultural sector for future generations.