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A Guide for Beginning Farmers in Nova Scotia

This Guide for Beginning Farmers in Nova Scotia was written in response to requests for information from beginning farmers. It is primarily intended for those who have little or no background in agriculture but are interested in starting a farm. It will also be useful to those who have farming experience but are unfamiliar with Nova Scotia's current market for agricultural products and regulatory requirements.

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Farmland Sourcing

  • Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board: Farm Property for Sale – a facility where a farmer or vineyard owner can tap on to locate a suitable farmland for sales across the province of Nova Scotia
  • Country Real Estate: Country Real Estate has earned a reputation for selling farms and country properties throughout Nova Scotia. The selling of country businesses is an expanding specialty market in Nova Scotia and our real estate company implements proven marketing strategies to match qualified regional, national and international buyers and sellers.

 

Financing or Loans

  • Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board: The Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board is an agricultural development agency serving the needs of agriculture and forestry through the provision of long-term credit at fixed interest rates. The Board provides its lending services to rural Nova Scotia, Canada. By investing in Nova Scotians and creating opportunities within Nova Scotia, the Board helps to build stronger futures for rural Nova Scotians.
  • Farm Credit Canada (FCC): As Canada’s leading agriculture lender, Farm Credit Canada is advancing the business of agriculture. With a healthy portfolio of more than $19.7 billion and 17 consecutive years of portfolio growth, FCC is strong and stable committed to serving the industry through all cycles. FCC provides financing, insurance, software, learning programs and other business services to producers, agribusinesses and agri-food operations. FCC employees are passionate about agriculture and committed to the success of customers and the industry.
    • Farm Credit Canada - Agri-business and Agri-Food Financing: - FCC Agribusiness and Agri-Food Financing provides financing tailored to businesses that enhance the agriculture and agri-food value chain (equipment manufacturers, dealers, input providers, wholesalers, sawmills, processors etc.).
  • Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs): In Nova Scotia, there are 13 CBDCs offering financial, training and advisory services to entrepreneurs. The CBDCs work collectively through the Nova Scotia Association of CBDCs, an umbrella organization that supports the common needs of the CBDCs. CBDCs share best practices, promote entrepreneurship and deliver provincial initiatives such as Students in Business and the Success Summits.

 

Funding Programs

Nova Scotia Economic & Rural Development

  • Manufacturing & Processing Investment Credit: The Nova Scotia Manufacturing and Processing Investment Credit (MPIC) is intended to advance the competitiveness of Nova Scotia's manufacturing industry by encouraging investment for modernization and productivity improvement. The investment credit builds on the 10% Atlantic Investment Tax Credit offered by the federal government under the Income Tax Act for corporations involved in manufacturing and processing activities. Nova Scotia firms making productivity improvements can also apply to receive the MPIC, which provides an additional 10% credit on the cost of the asset acquired.
  • Business Development Program: The Nova Scotia Business Development Program will help small business get started and existing businesses expand. This program will encourage business start-ups and provide help through qualified consultants for business operators to review and assess their practices and develop new approaches to ensure success.
Canadian Revenue Agency

  • Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR & ED) program: The The aim of the (SR&ED) program is to provide financial support in the form of cash refunds to Canadian businesses that conduct SR&ED in Canada. This financial support is intended to encourage businesses to develop new or improved technology, experimentation, product development or process improvement. In British Columbia and Ontario, the SR&ED refund can be as much as 68 cents back on every incremental R&D dollar spent!
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

ACOA works to strengthen the Atlantic economy through:
  • Enterprise Development – helping improve the business climate and lending a hand for individual business start ups, modernizations and expansions.
  • Community Development – working with communities to nurture economic growth, improve local infrastructure and develop opportunities in the local economy.
  • Policy, Advocacy and Co-ordination – being a champion for Atlantic Canada by representing the region’s interests at the national level in areas like policy development, research and analysis and in work with other departments to ensure coordination of policies and programs.

Your Guide to ACOA’s Programs and Services - This guide features many of the programs and services offered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and its partners in regional development.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI)

  • Nova Scotia Business Inc. is the province’s private sector-led business development agency. Through trade development, investment attraction, business advisory services, business financing and venture capital, we assist local companies and attract international companies to Nova Scotia.
  • Trade Development - Increase sales and grow your business and in markets outside of Nova Scotia.
  • Export Prospector Program – Helping you get to market and get in front of the right people.