Get Growing Program
The Get Growing Program supports the growth of Nova Scotia small farms through the adoption of specialized infrastructure or equipment. Projects should help the expansion of local agricultural production for local markets.
Offered by Department of Agriculture
Amount
Up to 50% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $5,000 per program year, plus supplementary Business Advisory Services funding of up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,000 over the life of Sustainable CAP; up to a maximum of $12,000 per applicant over the life of Sustainable CAP
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Eligible Applicants
- Registered Farms
- Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities
Program Criteria Farms must:
- be currently registered under the Farm Registration Act.
- be actively farming in the program year and the applicant must be 19 years of age or
older.
- generate an annual eligible gross farming income of $30,000 or less. The eligible
farming income will be based on the previous two (2) years of Statement of Farming Activities (T2042, T1273 or Schedule 125 - Farm Revenue: detailing sales by commodity revenue code);
Returning applicants who have reached $30,000 of gross commodity income can choose to remain in the program but may not access other Department of Agriculture programs.
Additional Requirements:
Schedule A and B of the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) (Land Improvement projects applied for must be listed).
Leased Land Eligible projects must be directly applicable to the registered farm qualifying for Program funding on agricultural land owned or leased.
It is a condition of approval that the lease be of at least 10 years duration and must last for at least 5 years after the project funding has been received.
About the funding
Applicants can apply to receive Program funding up to 50% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $5,000 per program year.
In addition to the $5,000 available per program year, applicants may apply for supplementary funding for Business Advisory Services. This supplementary funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $2,000 over the life of Sustainable CAP.
Eligible applicants who take part in the Get Growing program can receive up to a maximum of $12,000 over the life of Sustainable CAP.
- Eligible expenses include farm building improvements and equipment to support farm
Show all funding details
growth. Refer to Appendix A at the end of this document for examples.
Additional Expense Eligibility Requirements
- Used equipment must be purchased from a recognized dealer and be in good condition.
Applicants must identify at time of application if they are purchasing used equipment, and these applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- In-kind labour can be used towards specific projects including but not limited to pest
control, site preparation for growing structures, and farm building improvements. A rate of $27.60/hour will be used. A maximum of 15% of the total project cost is eligible up to $750 per year.
- example: An applicant with a $2,000 project cost will be eligible for up to $300 to
go towards in-kind labour.
- Program funding will only be offered on transactions (invoices) that do not involve a
supplier/service provider that is associated with the applicant, unless it is proven that an associated supplier/service provider is the only registered company providing that service in the area. In such cases that it is necessary to proceed with an associated supplier/service provider, the applicant must apply for a pre-approval from Programs before proceeding to ensure that the associated costs will be approved for reimbursement.
Appendix A Examples of projects:
Category Project • Mounted Sprayers • Hoists or Cranes • Tillers • Commercial Irrigation Equipment • Rippers • Grape Hoe Weeder • Power Harrows • Reverse Osmosis Machine • Seeders • Flail and Finishing Mower Field and Farm Equipment • Maple Harvesting Equipment • Harvester • Livestock Water System
- Bush Hog (attachment to tractor)
- UV lights/Rack System/Growing Microgreens • Paper Pot Transplanter System (transplanter/drop seeder/dribbler) • Weeding Equipment/Attachments (commercial grade, PTO attachment) • Frost Free Hydrants • Commercial Grade Trellis System • Commercial Vacuum Pump • Bird Bangers • Bird/Insect Netting Pest Control/ Mitigation Equipment • Bird Wailers
- Fencing (field design required)
- Commercial Grade Wash Station Equipment
- Commercial Kitchen Equipment (stove, oven,
Processing Equipment digital scale, stainless steel sinks, etc.) • Commercial Filtering System for Food • Maple Processing Equipment • Commercial Refrigeration • Commercial Freezer Climate Control Equipment • Walk-in Cooler and Cooling System (no buildings) • Commercial Caterpillar Tunnel System Growing Structures • Commercial Greenhouse Kit • Trellis System for Greenhouse Growing
- Fuel Tank (including pump)
- Curtains (heat or ventilation)
- Upgrading Electrical System or Adding Electrical Capacity Farm Building Improvement(s) • Livestock Handling System • Adding Water Supply (not new builds) • Generator • Surface and Sub-surface Drainage
- Tile Drainage (tile drainage plan required)
Land Improvement (EFP required) • Farmyard Runoff Management • Water Well • Enclosed Light Fixtures/Non-breakable Light Fixtures for Food Processing Areas Food Safety • Water Treatment (UV/RO) • Floor Covering to meet Food Safety Requirements (no concrete work) • Website Development and Adding E- commerce to a Website • Farm Signage Marketing Activities
- Graphic Design for Product Packaging, Logo,
Product Labeling • Product Photography and Video • Business Plan • Feasibility Study • Emergency Preparedness Plan • Food Safety Plan Business Advisory Services ($2,000 available over the lifetime of • Lean Management Sustainable CAP) • Six Sigma
- Development of Farm Safety Plan (e.g.
policies, safe work practices and procedures) • Engineering Certification Note: If your proposed activity is not listed, please use the “Other items” category on your application.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Industries Fund | Grant | Up to 50% of eligible costs | Open |
| Nova Scotia Sportfish Habitat Fund | Grant | Cost-shared: funding is not normally to exceed 50% of total project cost. | Open |
| SeafoMarket Access Food Safety Program | Grant | Up to $15,000 | Open |
| Supplier Diversity Certification Pilot Program | Grant | 100% of the certification fee paid by the business to obtain a first-time certification, up to $1,000 (excluding taxes) per certification, with a maximum total of $3,000 (excluding taxes) per company (for three new certifications) | Open |
