Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
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|closingDate February 15, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Nova Scotia
- Department of Agriculture
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|terms_and_conditions
This program provides financial support in the form of an interest rebate intended to improve financial stability among new farmers owning or purchasing commercial farms in Nova Scotia.
- The interest rebate is determined by a calculation of the projected loan interest over four years, with a maximum limit of $100,000.
- This program reserves the right to limit benefits by refusing applications or distributing benefits proportionally among associated applicants.
- Funding is contingent upon achieving a minimum level of annual gross income equivalent to the rebate amount by March 2028; failure to meet this requirement necessitates repayment of the difference.
- Only fixed-rate loans are eligible, with variable interest rate loans, refinancing of existing loans, operating lines of credit, and residential mortgages being ineligible.
- Applicants are required to provide detailed loan information, including loan amount, purpose, amortization, and interest rate calculations over the four-year duration.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Plant Your Roots Program is designed to support the new ownership and financial stability of commercial farms in Nova Scotia. Eligible projects and activities focus on both new farm business establishment and improvement through innovative investments.
- Starting a farm business aiming to reach a commercial scale within five years.
- Purchasing an existing commercial farm for the first time.
- Acquiring at least a 25% interest in a commercial farm, paired with investment in innovative technologies focusing on labor efficiencies or supporting local food production.
- Investments to create active farm locations or reactivate viable farmland.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 200,000
Purchase of a 30% interest in a blueberry farm and establishment of a farm office
$ 120,000
Establishment of a free-range chicken farm with commercial scalability
$ 150,000
Purchase of a 25% interest in an apple orchard and development of direct-to-consumer sales channels
$ 225,000
Establishment of an organic vegetable farm with a community-supported agriculture (CSA) model
$ 350,000
Acquisition of 40% interest in a dairy farm to expand operations
$ 280,000
Purchase of a 35% interest in a mixed livestock farm and developing advanced irrigation systems
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Plant Your Roots Program is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's farming activities and intentions for farm ownership.
- The applicant must be a farm or Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community.
- For farms, the applicant must be currently registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act.
- The applicant must be at least 19 years old and actively farming in the program year.
- The applicant must be establishing a farm business with the goal of reaching a commercial scale level within 5 years, or purchasing a commercial farm (or at least 25% interest in a commercial farm) in Nova Scotia for the first time.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Plant Your Roots Program is designed for farms or Mi'kmaq engaging in farming activities within a Mi'kmaw community in Nova Scotia. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:- Farms must be registered correctly under the Farm Registration Act.- Applicants must be at least 19 years old and actively farming in the program year.- Farms must be in the process of establishing a business with the goal of reaching commercial scale within five years or purchasing a commercial farm, or at least a 25% interest in such a farm, for the first time.Further eligibility criteria delineate qualified applicants into two streams:### Stream 1: Beginning Farmer- Must have owned a farm business for less than five years and not achieved $30,000 in farm revenue.- Have a goal of reaching over $30,000 in gross farm sales within five years.- Collaborate with a Business Development Officer or Agricultural Representative on their business plan.- Expected to reach a minimum gross income by March 2028 equivalent to the rebate received.### Stream 2: Commercial Farm Purchases/Purchasing 25% Interest- Applicants purchasing 100% or a minimum of 25% interest in a commercial farm for the first time.- Required to achieve a gross income based on their percentage ownership by March 2028 equivalent to the rebate received.- Must borrow funds for purposes aligned with program criteria such as innovative technology or local food production.Additionally, the program fosters inclusivity, encouraging applications from equity-deserving communities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant program has certain restrictions regarding which companies or industries can apply, focusing solely on requirements that align with the program's objectives.
- Farms or individuals that have previously received benefits under the FarmNEXT Programs.
- Applicants who refinance existing loans, use variable interest rate loans, operate lines of credit, or have residential mortgages, as these loan types are ineligible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Plant Your Roots program is designed to facilitate the acquisition and enhancement of commercial farms in Nova Scotia. The eligible activities primarily focus on purchasing farms or shares and investing in technologies that support farm productivity and innovation.
- Purchasing a 100% ownership in an existing commercial farm.
- Purchasing at least a 25% interest in a commercial farm for the first time.
- Investing in innovative technologies that enhance labour efficiencies on a farm.
- Implementing technologies that bolster local food production.
- Investing in properties to establish active farm locations or reactivate viable farmland.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to farms and Mi'kmaq conducting agricultural activities within specific areas in Nova Scotia. The focus is on supporting commercial farming operations within the region.
- Nova Scotia-based farms.
- Mi'kmaq communities involved in farming.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Plant Your Roots program has evaluation and selection criteria to determine eligibility for the grant:
- Applicants must be farm or Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community.
- Applicants must be currently and properly registered under the Farm Registration Act in the correct income category.
- Applicants must be at least 19 years old and actively farming in the program year.
- Applicants must be establishing a farm business with plans to reach a commercial scale level within 5 years or purchasing a commercial farm for the first time in Nova Scotia.
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The program encourages diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applicants from equity-deserving communities such as women, persons with disabilities, Black and African Nova Scotians, First Nations, Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQI+, and racialized individuals.
- The minimum level of annual gross income must be met by March 2028, equivalent to the rebate received, with repayment required if the goal is not achieved.
- The program is expected to be offered yearly until 2028, allowing for future application opportunities as long as budgets and government priorities allow.
- Applicants who previously benefited from FarmNEXT Programs are not eligible for this program.
- Applicants must use fixed interest rate loans as part of the qualification criteria for financial assistance.
- Sharing or transfer of grant funds between associated entities could impact the application’s eligibility or the amount of the grant received.
- Applicants must report their farm's revenues using specific forms submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency.
- Confidentiality of applicants' information is subject to public information disclosure policies but can be shared with law enforcement if required.
grant_single_labels|contact
prm@novascotia.ca
902-893-6377
Apply to this program
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