Closed
Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant
Interest rebate for new farm ownership
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
- Open Date : November 3, 2023
- Closing date : February 15, 2024
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
The program provides an interest rebate of up to $100,000 to support new ownership of commercial farms in Nova Scotia. It supports beginning farmers and first-time commercial farm purchases, including eligible loan interest on qualifying new loans.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : November 3, 2023
- Closing date : February 15, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Starting a first farm business with a goal of reaching commercial scale within five years.
- Purchasing an existing commercial farm for the first time.
- Purchasing at least 25% interest in a commercial farm for the first time.
- Investing in farm technologies that improve labour efficiency or local food production.
- Investing in properties to create or reactivate farm locations.
Documents Needed
- Signed loan agreement
- Proof of ownership percentage
- Business plan and income projections
- Program Funding Registration form
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- New farmers
- Commercial farm purchasers
- Farms and Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community
Who is not eligible
- Farms that previously received benefits under FarmNEXT or Plant Your Roots.
- Applicants using variable interest rate loans, refinancing, operating lines of credit, or residential mortgages.
Eligible expenses
- Projected interest on qualifying new loans.
- Loans used for first-time commercial farm purchases.
- Loans for innovative technologies that improve labour efficiency.
- Loans for technologies supporting local food production.
- Loans for properties to create active farm locations or reactivate viable farmland.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Variable interest rate loans
- Refinancing of existing loans
- Operating lines of credit
- Residential mortgages
- Secondary financing such as second mortgages
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Selection 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.
How to apply
1
Application Preparation
- Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the Program Guidelines.
- Develop a business plan in consultation with a local Business Development Officer or Agricultural Representative.
- Gather necessary documentation, including proof of farm registration and any recent tax documents such as Statement of Farming Activities or T1 General.
- Obtain loan approval and prepare a copy of the loan agreement detailing loan amount, purpose, amortization, interest rate, and fixed interest rate calculation.
2
Complete the Program Funding Registration Form
- If new to the programs since 2023, fill out the Program Funding Registration form.
- Update any changes to business information if you are a returning client.
3
Submit Application
- Submit a complete application within 6 months of loan approval and by February 15, 2025.
- Include all required documentation and forms in your submission.
- Applications can be submitted to the Programs Division at the Department of Agriculture via mail, email, or fax as per contact details provided in the Program Guidelines.
4
Receive Approval
- Await review and possible approval from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA).
- If approved, receive a Letter of Agreement and a Repayment Agreement outlining the terms and conditions.
5
Agreement and Conditions
- Review, sign, and return the Letter of Agreement and Repayment Agreement within 30 days of receipt.
- Ensure compliance with all terms and conditions to avoid any forfeiture of Program funding.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the Department of Agriculture.
- If approved, applicants receive a Letter of Agreement with the funding terms.
- Applicants must review, sign, and return the Letter of Agreement within 30 days.
- Funding is issued to the financial institution managing the loan.
Additional information
- Applicants new to Programs since 2023 must complete the Program Funding Registration form.
- Returning applicants must update the form with any business changes.
- Applications are reviewed by the Department of Agriculture as they are received.
- Approved applicants receive a Letter of Agreement and must return it within 30 days.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant Program
What is the Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant?
The program provides an interest rebate of up to $100,000 to support new ownership of commercial farms in Nova Scotia. It supports beginning farmers and first-time commercial farm purchases, including eligible loan interest on qualifying new loans.
How much funding can be received?
Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was February 15, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant program?
To be eligible for the Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant program, you must:
Farm or Mi'kmaq applicant in a Mi'kmaw community.
At least 19 years old and actively farming.
Registered under the Farm Registration Act.
What expenses are eligible under Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant?
Starting a first farm business with a goal of reaching commercial scale within five years.
Purchasing an existing commercial farm for the first time.
Purchasing at least 25% interest in a commercial farm for the first time.
Investing in farm technologies that improve labour efficiency or local food production.
Investing in properties to create or reactivate farm locations.
Who can I contact for more information about the Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant?
You can contact Government of Nova Scotia by email at prm@novascotia.ca or by phone at 902-893-6377.
Where is the Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant available?
The Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant program is available the province of Nova Scotia.