Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Producers

Business Development Program (Agriculture)

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Business Development Program supports the agriculture sector by providing funding for skills training, business planning and implementation, benchmarking and risk management activities which will expand domestic and international markets for Prince Edward Island producers and small to medium sized agri-businesses.
There are three funding categories: Training, Business Planning, and Benchmarking and Risk Management.

Comments on Funding:

Funding for Training is as follows:

  • 50% of the eligible expenses, up to $2,000 per participant per fiscal year for eligible agri-skills individualized training expenses and up to $1,000 for eligible software expenses per participant over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023),
  • 90% of the eligible expenses, up to $20,000 per project for eligible group training for agricultural producers, agri-processors, and/or agri-businesses,
  • 50% of the eligible expenses, up to $10,000 per project for eligible training for executives and up to $15,000 per project for eligible board capacity training expenses.

The maximum funding for agri-skills training is 50% of assistance per participant (maximum two per operation/organization) up to a maximum of $10,000 per farm entity over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023).

The maximum funding for Group Training expenses is $60,000 over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement.

Funding for Business Planning is 50% of eligible expenses, up to:

  • $5,000 per project for eligible financial assessment and financial action plan expenses over the life of the CAP Framework (2018-2023),
  • $10,000 per project for eligible succession plan expenses over the life of the CAP Framework (2018-2023),
  • $2,500 per project for eligible business plan expenses for beginning farmers who are part of a bonafide farm operation over the life of the CAP Framework (2018-2023),
  • $10,000 over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023) for groups of two farming entities’ eligible project expenses,
  • $15,000 over the life of the CAP Framework Agreement (2018-2023) for groups of three or more farming entities’ eligible project expenses.

Eligible applicants completing an on-line Self-Assessment process for the first time will be eligible for an additional 10% of funding assistance for eligible program expenses.

Funding for Benchmarking and Risk Management is as follows:

  • 90% of the eligible expenses, up to $15,000 for first time benchmarking or risk management initiatives,
  • 30% of the eligible expenses, up to $15,000 for approved repetitive benchmarking or risk management initiatives. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

2023

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous Organizations,
  • agricultural producers,
  • spouses of agricultural producers,
  • farm employees,
  • agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations,
  • agri-processors,
  • small to medium sized agri-businesses.

Others may be considered upon request.

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit their completed applications via regular mail or email to the attention of the Business Development Program Officer.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  •  the completed application form,
  • a project proposal (for Business Planning application the proposal must be completed by the proposed consultant which outlines what work is to be completed, the time required to complete the plan as well as the cost of the plan),
  • the instructor or consultant’s Resume, if applying for Training,
  • the proposed consultant’s resume, and documentation verifying consultant’s professional certification(s) and references, if applying for Business Planning or Benchmarking and Risk Management,

Other Things to Note:

This program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2018-2023).

Program Contact:

​Business Development Program (Agriculture)

Business Development Program Guide

Business Development Program Category: Training

Business Development Program Planning Application

​Business Development Program Category: Benchmarking and Risk Management​​​

Perennial Crop Development Program

Amount:

$40,000

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Perennial Crop Development Program supports the establishment of new cropping systems and improvements in existing systems using technological advances and improvements in storage and production practices. Applications will be assessed for a project’s ability to have both ecological and economic benefits.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to 50% of the eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $40,000 per project.
In the event that the Perennial Crop Development Program receives more eligible applications than available funds, the Department reserves the right to pro-rate funding. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

2022 dates to be announced

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • Mi'kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous Organizations;
  • agricultural producers; 
  • small to medium-sized agri-businesses.

Others may be considered upon request.

Application Steps:

Applicants:

1

are encouraged to contact the Perennial Crop Development officer prior to their application, 

2

must submit their completed applications via regular mail or email to the attention of the Perennial Crop Development Program Officer.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • the completed application form,
  • a project proposal.

Other Things to Note:

This program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2018-2023).
The Perennial Crop Development Program is designed to increase environmental sustainability in PEI’s agriculture sector.

Program Contact:

​Perennial Crop Development Program

​Perennial Crop Development Program Guidelines​​​

​Perennial Crop Development Program Application Form​​​

Agriculture Stewardship Program – PEI Clean Technology Innovation Sub-Program

  • This program is currently closed.

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The PEI Clean Technology Innovation Sub-Program supports the adoption of clean technology, which has demonstrable effects on the reduction of the environmental impact of the agriculture sector. The Sub-Program will prioritize projects that invest in and/or promote two key areas of clean technology for the Sector: precision agriculture and/or agri-based bioproducts.

Comments on Funding:

Maximum funding is 50% from the DAL. A minimum of 50% contribution from the applicant is required.


Projects benefiting Indigenous peoples or other underrepresented groups, may receive up to 75% in program funding toward total eligible project costs. A minimum of 25% contribution from the applicant is required in this case.


The Applicant must clearly indicate all sources of funding for the project, including their contribution and other sources of funding and must demonstrate that the funding will be sufficient to support overall project costs. 

When It Ends:

Closed

Deadline:

2023

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous Organizations with valid Environmental Farm Plans,
  • be agricultural producers with valid Environmental Farm Plans,
  • agri-processors with valid Environmental Farm Plans,
  • provincial/territorial governments.

Others may be considered upon special request.

Application Steps:

1

must submit their completed applications via regular mail or email to the attention of the Agriculture Stewardship Program Officer,

2

will receive an approval or rejection notification letter once the assessment process is complete. If the project is approved for funding, the letter will specify the level of funding awarded and outline any other conditions that may apply. 

3

will work with a DAL official to complete a Funding Agreement, if approved for funding.

Applications under this Program will be assessed by an adjudication committee, Chaired by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land. 

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • a completed PEI Clean Technology Innovation Sub-Program Application Form, 
  • a Project Work Plan and Budget, 
  • any additional supporting documentation as requested by the DAL to fully assess the project.

Other Things to Note:

This sub-program is no linger listed among Agriculture Stewardship's subprograms. 

Program Contact:

​Agriculture Stewardship Program

Agriculture Stewardship Program Guidelines

​Agriculture Stewardship Program PEI Clean Technology Innovation Sub-Program Application Form​​​

AgriStability Program

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The AgriStability program provides support when a producer experiences larger farm income losses. The program covers declines of more than 30% in a producer's average income from previous years.

Comments on Funding:

The program covers declines of more than 30% in a producer's average income from previous years. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

April 30, 2022
December 31, 2022

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be producers,
  • have experienced declines of more than 30% in their average income from previous years.

Application Steps:

Applicants: 

1

will receive 2022 AgriStability Enrolment Notices, 

2

must contact AgriStability office at 1-855-251-9695, if they have not received an enrolment notice by the end of March 2022.

Program Contact:

​AgriStability Program

​Canadian Agricultural Partnership 2018-2023​​​

Assurance Systems Program – Surveillance and Emergency Management Sub-Program

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Surveillance and Emergency Management Initiative Sub-Program provides support for livestock surveillance and emergency management plans.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will be cost shared, between the applicant and the Department. The level of support and total contribution will be determined by the Assurance Systems Program Review Committee. 

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

2023

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous Organizations,
  • agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations,
  • agricultural producers,
  • provincial/territorial governments,
  • small to medium-sized agri-businesses and agri-processors,
  • public and private Institutions

Application Steps:

1

Applicants must submit their completed applications via regular mail or email to the attention of the Assurance Systems Program Officer.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicant must submit:

  • the completed application form,
  • a project proposal.

Other Things to Note:

This program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2018-2023).
The Assurance Systems Program is designed to improve the anticipation, mitigation and response to risks by providing assistance to address risks related to humans, animals and plants through project-driven and other outcome-based approaches.

Program Contact:

​Surveillance and Emergency Management Sub-Program

Assurance System Program Guidelines

​Assurance Systems Program Surveillance and Emergency Management Sub-Program Application Form​​​