Plant Your Roots Program Now Open for Applications
The costs of starting a farm have gone up significantly in recent years and the Department of Agriculture is responding by expanding the ways it can help emerging producers.
The
Plant Your Roots program is a collaboration between the Department and the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board to help support the next generation of farmers. This will replace the the FarmNext program with a substantial increase in available support.
If you have recently borrowed money to start or secure an ownership stake in a farm business, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to four years’ worth of interest, valued at up to $100,000. To apply you must have an approved loan within the last six months (loans dating back to April 1, 2023, will be accepted this year) and have acquired at least 25% ownership in the business. Applicants can borrow money for the following eligible activities:
- Innovative technologies with a focus on labour efficiencies
- Technologies supporting local food production
- Commercial farm purchases
- Investment in properties to create active farm locations or reactivate viable farmland.
What does this mean in practical terms? You could secure a loan to purchase an ownership share in a farm or own a commercial farm outright. You could buy a property with farming potential and start a new farm business from scratch. You could develop a farm business on a property you already own but have not previously used for farm purposes, borrowing funds for the equipment required to produce food.
What does this mean to your bottom line? A loan of $500,000 at 6.95% interest amortized over 20 years would incur approximately $99,000 in interest in the first four years. By applying to Plant Your Roots, a rebate for this interest would be paid to the applicant and can be used to reduce the loan principal or offset other start up expenses.
Contact your local
Agricultural Representative or the
Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board to learn more. Any formal loan with a fixed interest rate can be eligible for Plant Your Roots but the Farm Loan Board are agricultural lending experts and a great place to start!
Marbicon New In-person Pesticide Courses – Fall 2023
Pre-Exam courses are $125. Five recertification points are available (T2380 $110)
A manual is provided for pre-exam courses.
Mon Nov 13 – Berwick ( Legion Hall, 232 Main St.)
Weds Nov 15 – New Germany (Anglican Church Hall, Hwy 10)
Fri Nov 24 – Bible Hill (Truro Horsemen’s Club, 288 Main St.)
Recertification workshops (NOT preparation for the exam) for 5 points (T2381 $110)
Fri Dec 1 – Bible Hill (Truro Horsemen’s Club, 288 Main St.)
Mon Dec 4 – Berwick (Legion Hall, 232 Main St.)
Weds Dec 6 – New Germany (Anglican Church Hall, Hwy 10)
Additional courses and workshops will be offered in the new year, at many more locations.
For all courses, doors open at 8:30 for a 9:00 AM start.
Most courses will finish around 3:30-4:00, pending needs.
No food or beverages are provided; bring your own.
There will be a break for lunch.
The provincial exam is NOT offered during any of these courses, and a course is NOT required before writing the exam. But most people find a structured course very helpful. All certification categories are covered in these courses.
For course registration and further information, contact Jim Jotcham at
marbicon@eastlink.ca or at 902-538-7101. Payment is due on the day of the course: cash, cheque, e-Transfer or PO number. HST is included.
Season Extension Enhancement Program
Intake began October 1, and applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis with limited funds available. Presented by Horticulture Nova Scotia, the Season Extension Enhancement Program is designed to help support fruit and vegetable growers investing in innovative technologies to extend their growing season, adapt to a changing climate and open up new market opportunities.
The program encourages and supports Nova Scotia’s fruit and vegetable producers by providing financial assistance with the following on-farm infrastructure: adopting season extension technologies; enhancing storage capacity; adopting and developing irrigation capacity for field operations.
Eligible applicants are producers of fruit and vegetables grown and sold in Nova Scotia.
Farming activities must be carried out within the province of Nova Scotia.
Registered Farmers in Nova Scotia with annual fruit and vegetable income shown in Statements of Farming Activities in most recent 2 years of submitted Tax Returns (2020, 2021, or 2022).
Note: Applicants can apply for 1 or multiple streams to reach maximum funding.
The application and guidelines are available at
www.horticulturens.ca or via this
link.
For more information, please contact our office at 902-678-9335 or email
programs@horticulturens.ca This project is a partnership of Horticulture Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.