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Last updated: Mar. 29, 2021
The following is archived material. Refer to your provincial government for more information.
There’s some good news for Nova Scotia’s agriculture industry: the province has created a COVID-19 Agriculture Response Program to help the sector continue to produce food and generate economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are 4 streams for funding under the program. You can apply right away, and the funding doesn’t need to be repaid. We’ve compiled a summary of the details below.
What funding is available?
- Stream 1: COVID-19 Mitigation and Adaptation for Health Protocol – Applicants are eligible for 75% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per program year, to help applicants comply with recommended health protocols.
- Stream 2: COVID-19 Marketing, Product Movement and Distribution – Agriculture companies and registered Nova Scotia farms as applicants are eligible for 50% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $20,000 per project.
- Stream 3: COVID-19 Strategic Projects – Initiatives at a sector or industry level will be reviewed for funding on an individual basis. If they’re deemed to meet the objectives of the Program, they will be assessed on an individual merit, impact and reach basis.
- Stream 4: COVID-19 Abattoir Efficiency and Development – Applicants are eligible for 75% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per program year.
Who is eligible?
- Farms are eligible if the owner is at least 19 years old and is actively farming in the program year, and if the farm is registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act
- Agri-businesses that represent identifiable Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products, and conduct value-added processing of a raw Nova Scotia agriculture product (at least 50% of the business’s product), showing a direct partnership and significant economic impact to Nova Scotia’s primary agricultural activity
- Agricultural Industry Associations that represent identifiable Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products and can prove their not-for-profit status
- Provincially or Federally Licensed Abattoirs
- Mi’kmaq First Nations and other indigenous organizations involved in agriculture business
What are eligible expenses?
- Activities designed to assist with the marketing, movement and distribution of product
- Activities designed to provide mental health support
- Activities which encourage compliance with recommended health protocols, such as adherence to recommended physical distancing or sanitation procedures
- Assistance to address marketing challenges by implementing solutions using technology, such as securing e-commerce or technology to host remote meetings
- Capital expenditures, materials and/or supplies identified as essential to move through the business interruption created by COVID-19
- Training on COVID-19 protocols and other projects, activities, or items that are demonstrated to be needed to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on maintaining competitiveness, productivity, or profitability
What are ineligible expenses?
These include but are not limited to:
- Administrative / general overhead
- HST
- In-kind contributions
- Operating expenses / existing staff salaries
- Tools
- Training and related courses
- And used equipment and materials
How do I apply?
1. Read the program guidelines for full program details
2. Complete the application form (PDF). Clients who are new to Department of Agriculture funding programs need to complete the Program Funding Registration Form (see below) for their type of business or organization. If you’re a returning client, use the form if you need to update your information:
- Farm
- Agri-business
- Organizations, Associations, Education and Research Institutions and Government Agencies
3. Send your completed application and supporting documents by mail, email, or fax:
- Programs and Business Risk Management Division Department of Agriculture, 74 Research Drive Bible Hill, B6L 2R2
- Phone: 902-893-6377 or Toll-free: 1-866-844-4276 Fax: 902-893-7579
- Email: prm@novascotia.ca
Application intake dates are May 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
Contact FBC
If you’d like to learn more about this or other COVID-19 programs for Canadian businesses, please call us at 1-800-265-1002 or email fbc@fbc.ca. Unlimited consultation related to tax matters is a key benefit of FBC Membership. You can also book an appointment.
Visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre for the latest information, advice and insights for small business owners.