Plant Your Roots Program

Who can apply

To be eligible, you must be a farm or Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community.

Stream 1: Beginning farmers

1. New farmers that have owned a farm business for less than five years and have not yet achieved

$30,000 in farm revenue.

Stream 2: Commercial farm purchases

1. New farmers that are purchasing their first commercial farm or purchasing at least 25% interest

in a commercial farm for the first time.

We are also committed to the development of diverse and inclusive industries. We welcome individuals from all underrepresented and underserved communities including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, Black and African Nova Scotians, Mi’kmaq, Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQI+ and racialized individuals, to apply to programming.

Note: Farmers who have leased farmland through the PAAL Program, Martha’s New Growers, or similar arrangements, may be eligible for the Beginning Farmers stream even if they have farmed for more than five years or exceeded $30,000 in annual farm revenue. These applications will be considered by Programs and the Plant Your Roots Review Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Program Criteria Stream 1: Beginning farmers must:

1. be starting their first farm business with the goal of reaching a commercial scale level (> $30,000

gross farm sales) within 5 years.

1. work with their local Business Development Officer or Agricultural Representative on their

business plan and income projections.

1. reach a minimum level of annual gross income by March 2031. The level of annual gross income

required will be equivalent to the amount of rebate received.

1. be currently registered under the Farm Registration Act.
2. be actively farming in the program year and applicant must be 19 years of age or older.
3. be a resident of Nova Scotia.

Stream 2: New farmers purchasing a commercial farm must:

1. be purchasing an existing commercial farm (100% interest) or purchasing interest in a

commercial farm (minimum 25% interest) for the first time. The eligible farming income will be based on the Farm Registration income level.

1. if purchasing interest in a commercial farm, applicants must have obtained at least 25%

ownership of the farm within 6 months of this application AND be borrowing money for one of the following purposes:

1. innovative technologies with a focus on labour efficiencies
2. technologies supporting local food production
3. commercial farm purchases
4. investment in properties to create active farm locations or reactivate viable farmland
5. reach a minimum level of annual gross income by March 2031. The level of annual gross income

required will be equivalent to the amount of rebate received, proportionate to the ownership percentage in the farm business.

1. be currently registered under the Farm Registration Act.
2. be actively farming in the program year and applicant must be 19 years of age or older.
3. be a resident of Nova Scotia.

Qualifying loans must include a fixed interest rate.

1. The program is designed to support new farmers taking out first-time commercial farm loans.
2. If applying to Stream 1: Beginning farmer, a business plan with income projections must

be included.

1. If applying to Stream 2: Commercial Farm Purchases, loans from lenders that are not

farm-focused may be considered but must be accompanied by a business plan and income projections Note: This program is anticipated to be offered again in 2027-28.

Farms that previously received benefits under FarmNEXT and Plant Your Roots Interest Rebate will not be eligible.