Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program
The Apiculture Sustainability Growth and Health Program aims to promote hive health, commercial crop pollination expansion and adoption of efficient technologies to help with labour shortages.
Offered by Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
Amount
Stream 1: $200/hive, up to 25 hives (less than 100 hives) or up to 125 hives (100+ hives); Stream 2: 50% cost share for an oxalic vaporizer and laboratory diagnostic fees, $25 per foulbrood diagnostic kit, up to $200 per applicant for VCPR establishment; Stream 3: 50% cost share to a maximum of $2,000 (under 100 hives) or $10,000 (above 100 hives)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
- Nova Scotia beekeepers
- Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities
Program Criteria Nova Scotia beekeepers must:
- be currently registered under the Farm Registration Act.
- be currently registered under the Bee Industry Act with a minimum of 10 registered hives
in 2025.
- be renting hives for commercial pollination in 2026.
- be a Nova Scotia resident.
- be actively farming in the program year and applicant must be 19 years of age or older.
About the funding
Financial Assistance
Stream 1: Pollination Expansion Hives used for Expansion Allowance
Maximum Funding
Pollination in 2025 for Pollination of Commercial Crops Less than 100 hives Up to 25 hives $200/hive 100+ hives Up to 125 hives $200/hive Stream 2: Hive Health
Show all funding details
Activity Eligible Item Maximum Funding
Oxalic vaporizer Pest control • Applicants can apply for up to 1 oxalic 50% cost share vaporizer over the life of Sustainable CAP VITA American or European foulbrood field diagnostic kits $25 per kit Disease monitoring • Applicants can apply for up to 2 test kits per 25 hives registered in 2025 Laboratory diagnostic fees 50% cost share Veterinarian client Costs associated with establishing VCPR Up to $200 per patient relationship • Applicants can apply for VCPR once over applicant (VCPR) establishment the life of Sustainable CAP Stream 3: Production Efficiency Equipment Hives sent to
Cost Share Maximum Funding
Pollination in 2025 Under 100 hives 50% $2,000 Above 100 hives 50% $10,000
Note: Approval of applications is subject to availability of Program funding. The total amount of Program funding awarded to each applicant, or to associated applicants, may be limited at the discretion of the Department of Agriculture to ensure opportunities for additional applicants to access Program funding.
Eligible Expenses
Feeding • Hive feeders
- Sucrose pumping system
- Tank agitators Hive Relocation
- Hive strapping • Truck bee crane/boom lift (attachment)
- Pallet forks and bracket • Truck tailgate lift (attachment)
Additional Expense Eligibility Requirements
- Over the duration of Sustainable CAP (2023-2028), applicants are eligible to claim for
each type of expense in Stream 3 one time only.
- 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.
- 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.
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