Value-adding Equipment Program
The Value-adding Equipment Program supports value-added businesses. The program helps increase local food production, and improve food security and sustainability for farms and communities.
Offered by Ministry of Agriculture
Amount
Maximum of 50% of the project cost to a maximum of $50,000 per year dependent on eligible gross commodity sales ($10,000 for $30,000-$99,999; $25,000 for $100,000-$249,999; $50,000 for $250,000+), up to $150,000 over the life of the SCAP program (2023-2028)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
To be eligible, you must be a farm, Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community or an agri-business.
For farms, you need to:
- be currently and properly registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act
- have generated an annual eligible gross commodity income of at least $30,000
- be at least 19 years old and actively farming in the program year
For agri-businesses, you need to:
- represent Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products
- have generated an annual eligible agri-business income of at least $30,000
- conduct value-added processing of a raw Nova Scotia agriculture product, with a direct partnership and significant economic impact to Nova Scotia's agricultural industry
All Agri-business applicants must demonstrate:
- the value or use of Nova Scotia products / ingredients
Using the table below, applicants will need to show proof of purchase of a minimum of $5,000 of local ingredients based on their income level. Example: An eligible applicant has $55,000 in income, based on the table below they will need to show proof of $10,000 in local inputs.
Proof of local ingredients:
Minimum annual purchase of agricultural Income Level ingredients $30,000 - $49,999 $5,000 $50,000 - $999,999 $10,000 $100,000 – $250,000+ $25,000
Leased Land Eligible projects must be directly applicable to the registered farm qualifying for assistance on agricultural land owned or leased. A copy of the long-term lease (10 years) or rental agreement must accompany the Application for all physical projects applicable to the leased/rented land. It is a condition of approval that the lease be of at least 10 years duration.
About the funding
Applicants can apply for a maximum of 50% of the project cost to a maximum of $50,000 per year dependent on eligible gross commodity sales. Only one application per year may be submitted. The maximum an applicant can receive over the life of the SCAP program (2023- 2028) is $150,000.
Funding will be based on 3 levels:
Eligible Gross Commodity Sales Maximum Funding/ Year
$30,000 - $99,999 $10,000 $100,000 - $249,999 $25,000 $250,000+ $50,000
Show all funding details
Note 2: No more than 100% of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible project cost incurred and paid for by the applicant. This applies to all Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture Programs.
Commercial Grade:
- value-add processing equipment that introduces enhanced capacity
- installation costs related to equipment installation
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AgriScience Program – Projects | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over the program's duration (2023 to 2028) | Open |
| Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program | Grant, Loan | AAFC contribution normally not exceeding $1 million per project, generally not more than $5 million over 5 years for each applicant | Open |
| Commemorative Partnership Program: Community War Memorial | Grant | Up to 50% of eligible expenditures, not exceeding a maximum of $25,000 (up to 100% of eligible expenditures, to a maximum of $50,000, for war memorial projects in Indigenous communities) | Open |
| Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program | Grant | Non-repayable contributions of up to 70% of eligible project costs (up to 85% for young producers), limited to each producer's maximum funding amount based on their share of provincial quota/production | Open |
