NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY! The Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund supports major innovative and transformative projects that benefit the seafood and agriculture sectors.

Projects should demonstrate tangible and measurable economic outcomes that benefit our communities in such areas as enhanced market diversification and processing capacity with the goal of increasing Nova Scotia’s competitiveness in a changing world economy.

Deadline to submit an expression of interest is August 15, 2025.

Monday, June 2, 2025, Calgary, AB. - The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) is pleased to announce that Farm Credit Canada (FCC)’s 2025 Sustainability Incentive opens today for applications for the 2025 program year. To further recognize and support farmers and ranchers in their sustainability journeys, FCC has doubled the eligible maximum annual incentive payment per operation to $4,000 for all program partners of FCC’s Sustainability Incentive.

Incentive payments are calculated as a portion of FCC lending, up to a maximum of $4,000 in one year. Existing participants can reapply annually throughout the life of the program, and FCC welcomes new applications any time.

Eligibility Requirements for the CRSB Certified Sustainability Incentive:

• Must be CRSB Certified through a CRSB-approved Certification Body (Verified Beef Production Plus [VBP+], Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program or Where Food Comes From)

• Must be an FCC customer in good standing with a balance owing on eligible, existing FCC lending

The application is quick and easy. To verify eligibility, FCC simply requires contact information, FCC customer number, a copy of the active operation’s CRSB Certification and name of Certification Body that provided the certification.

FCC now has a number of Sustainability Incentive Programs - if you participate in more than one program for which FCC has an incentive, you may be eligible to qualify for more than one incentive payment.

“It’s great to see FCC is increasing their incentive payment, which is further recognition for producers who are adopting sustainable practices that contribute to a resilient food system in Canada. As a beef producer myself, this increase in the total eligible incentive payment adds even more value to the CRSB certification program & now’s a great time to consider certification! I hope to see others come forward to support Canada’s beef producers’ commitment to sustainability.”

Don Badour - Chair, Certified Sustainable Beef Framework Canada

Apply before January 31, 2026.

On-Farm Climate Action Fund for Nova Scotia Open

OFCAF is part of the Government of Canada's Agricultural Climate Solutions, a multi-stream program to help farmers tackle climate change.

Farmers can access up to $100,000 in funding to implement Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that will contribute to on-farm sequestration of carbon and reduce greenhouse gases. Eligible projects must focus on:

• Nitrogen management 
• Cover cropping, or
• Rotational grazing 

Perennia will be implementing the fund to help farmers adopt these practices in Nova Scotia. Training for farmers and agronomists will also be offered over the three-year program, which ends in March 2028.

Deadline for the first intake of applications is August 31, 2025.

The first step in applying is to complete a program pre-screening form, found on this page https://ofcaf.perennia.ca/funding/. Once the pre-screening is submitted and reviewed, a link to the on-line application form will be sent.

For more information on the program please visit ofcaf.perennia.ca. 

Nova Scotia Programs

Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture SCAP Programs are beginning to open, including:

• Get Growing Program - App. deadline: September 30
• Limestone Trucking Assistance Program - App. deadline: September 30
• On-Farm Resiliency Program - App. deadline: July 31
• Planning New Opportunities Program - App. deadline: September 30

For a complete listing of all programs, please visit www.novascotia.ca/programs.

Climate Adaptation Leadership Program: Farm Highlight Opportunity

How have you adapted to our changing climate? Big or small, we want to hear about the innovative practices you’ve been implementing. Apply to have your farm highlighted by the Climate Adaptation Leadership Program team! Approved producers could receive compensation up to $1,000!

If interested in being featured, please send an email of interest to office@nscattle.ca, including a brief highlight of the issues you faced due to climate change, and how you overcame them! 

Current Opportunities: Nova Scotia



Check out the list of current opportunities available online HERE!

Fall Pasture Walk Series

A fall Pasture Walk Series will be announced in August.

Keep an eye on Agriculture Learning Opportunities – Perennia for registration details.

For every pasture walk you attend, your name will be included in a draw that could win you a pasture focused prize valuing over $500.00, including a bag of red clover. The draw will happen at our last pasture walk in December! The more pasture walks you attend, the more chances you have to win!

Registration NOW OPEN!

SILVOPASTURE WORKSHOP + GIVEAWAY

Attend & You Could Win a FS 91 Brushcutter!

Learn how to turn woodlots into productive pasture with expert Brett Chedzoy, Senior Resource Educator in Agriculture and Natural Resources with Cornell University.

Register by August 8 and be in attendance to have a chance to win a Stihl FS 91 Brushcutter — perfect for tackling undergrowth and managing your silvopasture areas.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical, Nova Scotia-focused insights into silvopasturing — and a chance to walk away with the tools to get started!

Note: Registration is free, closing August 10. Only those who register by August 8 will be entered in the brushcutter draw.

Farm Safety NS - Workplace Harassment Live Information Session

Join Farm Safety NS on August 19, 2025, from 12:00–1:30 PM for a live information session on the new Harassment in the Workplace Regulations coming into effect September 1. Fred Jeffers, Executive Director of the OHS Division, will break down employer responsibilities, expectations, and available supports. The session will be streamed live on our Facebook and YouTube pages - no registration required. 

We Talk. We Grow.: Over the Gate Series

Friday, Aug. 22

Bar M Ranch

379 Glengarry Rd, New Ross, NS B0J 2M0

Late summer can be a tough stretch with not much time to catch your breath. That’s why we’re creating space for farmers and their families to unwind at Bar M Ranch in New Ross. Join us for a laid-back, family-friendly evening with a food truck, lawn games, and the chance to catch up with others who understand the pressures of the season.

This event kicks off our We Talk. We Grow.: Over the Gate series, offering relaxed opportunities for connection across our farming community.

No talks, no pressure. Just good food, good company, and a chance to slow down at no cost.

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 22—we’d love to see you there!

Under the OFCAF Program, Perennia is hosting two Cover Crop focused days this September! Day one is a Cover Crop Extension Training Day that is a discussion-based workshop for agronomists and industry to understand more about the "whys" of the BMPs, current levels of adoption, barriers to adoption in industry, and identifying support for producers. Day two is a field day at the Perennia Fieldhouse and Demonstration site for producers and industry with presentations on current cover crop adoption levels, agronomy and management, and showcasing cover crops in the field!

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

NSCP Programs:

Nova Scotia Beef Herd Renewal & Improvement Program (2025)

• Funding towards heifer retention, seed stock development, herd health, preconditioning services, VBP+ audit and surveillance systems.
• Application deadline: February 15, 2026

Nova Scotia Soil, Pasture and Forage Management Program

• Funding towards lime purchases, as well as soil, manure and/or feed analyses
• Application deadline: June 30, 2025, and November 30, 2025

Nova Scotia SCAP Programs:

Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture SCAP Programs are beginning to open, including:

• Get Growing Program - App. deadline: September 30
• Limestone Trucking Assistance Program - App. deadline: September 30
• On-Farm Resiliency Program - App. deadline: July 31
• Planning New Opportunities Program - App. deadline: September 30

For a complete listing of all programs, please visit www.novascotia.ca/programs.

Perennia Programs:

On-Farm Climate Action Fund

• Funding to help farmers implement nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing practices.
• Application deadline: August 31, 2025

Food Ventures Program

• Helps farmers and food and beverage processors in Nova Scotia be more competitive through quality and food safety and product development services offered by Perennia specialists.
• Application deadline: October 31, 2025

Small-Scale Food and Beverage Processing Equipment Program

• Support for businesses in the purchase of food-grade and certified small-scale equipment that elevates their current processes, allowing them to access new retail avenues, meet regulatory requirements, increase production and/or reduce costs.
• Application deadline: August 29, 2025

Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund

• Supports major innovative and transformative projects that benefit the seafood and agriculture sectors.
• Application deadline: August 15, 2025

Atlantic Stockyards Limited

Producers are encouraged to pre-register all feeder cattle as early as possible.

Atlantic Stockyards Limited (ASL) will be listing pre-registered cattle on their website.

Click Here to visit their website!

NSFA Resources

Below are links to videos in the series on occupational hygiene and agriculture from the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, presented by Farm Safety NS Coordinator Jamie O'Kane.

Boost Your Farm's Success with a Workplace Needs Assessment

A Workplace Needs Assessment helps farms strengthen recruitment, retention, and productivity through a tailored assessment. In just a short onsite visit, our Workforce Development Coordinator identifies skill gaps, workplace improvements, and training needs—offering practical recommendations that lead to better hiring, happier employees, and more efficient operations. If you’re interested or would like to learn more, contact Colin at cbawn@nsfa-fane.ca.

Tool Spotlight: Corn Heat Units

Corn Heat Units (CHUs) are a measure of heat accumulation over the course of a growing season. CHUs can be used to determine the maturity level of corn that can be grown in a given area.

This tool uses Nova Scotia's local network of on-farm weather stations to bring information specific to your geographical area to help you make informed crop management decisions.