Access to money as a new farmer might be difficult in the early years of business or at times of major change, such as farm transition or expansion. The good news is that there are numerous grants available for young farmers in Canada, and we’ve gathered a list of some of our favourites below.
Awards for trade displays are available as a grant for Innovation, infrastructure, water management, food safety, equipment upgrades, hiring young people, and riparian restoration. Each grant will have its qualifying requirements, the application process, and a cost-sharing plan. Cost-sharing is a condition in which the grant pays for a portion of the project costs, with the farm covering the remainder. Cost-sharing contributions vary by a grant but typically range from 30 to 70 percent.
Before beginning your application, thoroughly read the award eligibility criteria and application form to ensure you can meet all requirements. Don’t hesitate to contact the grant coordinator if you have any queries concerning the grant or are unsure of your eligibility. You may be able to uncover funding programmes for your farm or farm project with a little creative thought and careful language.
Ag Action Manitoba Program for Farmers
Ag Action – Farmers provide farmers with activities that promote the growth and sustainability of primary agriculture in Manitoba.
Training and Consulting Expenses — Funding is available for farm management skills training and professional consulting services to improve company management practices, financial planning, and analysis.
Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) – support the implementation of BMPs indicated in Environmental Farm Plans to assist farmers in improving sustainability and reducing environmental risks on their farms.
Research and Innovation – promotes basic and applied research, capacity building, and knowledge transfer efforts to boost the agriculture industry’s growth and sustainability.
Applicants Who Are Eligible: Farmers of all ages, including newcomers.
Date of Submission: Please update by clicking the link provided below.
Contact
- Contact Name: Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development
- Phone Number: 1-844-769-6224
- E-mail Address: [email protected]
Capital Support for Aspiring Farmers
Capital Assistance for Aspiring Farmers seeks to alleviate the strain on your company’s financial flow throughout the transfer or start-up phase. This financial solution allows you to defer capital payments for up to five years.
Eligible applicants: If you match the following conditions, your operation may be eligible for our Capital Support for Aspiring Farmers product:
- Are Quebec residents;
- Are at least 18 years old but under the age of 40;
- Hold at least 20% of the operation’s stock;
- Consider at least one year of relevant agricultural experience;
- Have a potentially profitable start-up or expansion project?
Date of Submission: Please update by clicking the link provided below.
Contact:
- Contact Name: La Financière agricole du Québec
- Phone Number: 1-800-749-3646
Financial Support for Aspiring Farmers
Financial Assistance for Aspiring Farmers was created to assist young producers in establishing themselves on an existing farm or starting a new enterprise.
Eligible applicants: If you match the following conditions, your operation may be eligible for our Financial Support Program for Aspiring Farmers:
- Are Quebec residents;
- Are at least 18 years old but under the age of 40;
- Have some formal training;
- Hold at least 20% of the operation’s stock;
- Consider at least one year of relevant agricultural experience;
- Have a potentially profitable start-up or expansion project?
Date of Submission: Please update by clicking the link provided below.
Contact:
- Contact Name: La Financière agricole du Québec
- Phone Number: 1-800-749-3646
B.C. Land Matching Program
The British Columbia Land Matching Program (BCLMP) offers property matching and business support services to new farmers looking for farmland and landowners looking for someone to farm their land.
The advantages of land matching include hands-on, individualized assistance to new farmers and landowners in better understanding regulations, evaluating prospects, accessing resources, and eventually finding a land match partner. The Young Agrarians run the programme, which removes a substantial obstacle to land access for those looking to enter the B.C. agriculture industry.
Applicants Who Are Eligible:
- New farmers looking for property to start their farming company
- Landowners seeking someone to farm their property
- Farmers and landowners seeking assistance in developing land agreements
Submission Deadline: Please click the link indicated below for an update.
Contact:
- Contact Name: Young Agrarians Land Matcher
- E-mail Address: [email protected]
Manitoba AgriInvest Business Risk Management Program
AgriInvest (Manitoba) is a Canadian Agricultural Partnership Business Risk Management Program. Farmers benefit from it by matching their donations to a specific programme savings account. Farmers can utilize the money in their AgriInvest accounts to do the following:
- protect against modest margin decreases
- lower the risk
- invest in agricultural upgrades
Applicants Who Are Eligible:
All farmers, even those farming on reserves, are eligible if they declare farming income for tax purposes and complete all other programme conditions, such as reporting information and paying programme fees by the deadlines.
Deadline Date: Ongoing
Contact:
- Contact Name: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Phone Number: 1-866-367-8506
Rural Electric Program
The Rural Electric Scheme is a cost-sharing programme that assists farmers in defraying the high cost of electrical service. It enables farmers to obtain a basic, necessary service at a fair rate and contributes to the diversification of our rural economy. It also gives some equity to other Albertans who live in cities and those in other western provinces who benefit from lower hook-up expenses and electricity tariffs provided by their provincial governments through Crown corporations.
Applicants Who Are Eligible: All Alberta producers actively farm and use the service as part of their farming activity.
Date of Submission: Every year from April 1 to March 31.
Contact
- Contact Name: Alberta Federation of Rural Electrification Associations – Valerie Lavorato (Program Coordinator)
- Phone Number: 780-417-3396
- E-mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]
Back to Ag Program
The Back to Ag Program is a financial initiative to cover the cost of adaptive technology for farmers who have suffered a severe accidents. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) funds the Back to Ag Program, which is delivered in collaboration with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) and the Rick Hanson Foundation.
Applicants Who Are Eligible: Eligible farmers must be Canadian residents, the age of majority in the province where they live, and actively participating in agricultural activity. Suppose you had a life-altering occurrence that resulted in a traumatic injury and would like to return to farm work safely.
Submission Deadline: Year-round
Contact:
- Contact Name: Back to Ag program
- E-mail Address: [email protected].
Farm Debt Mediation Service
Farmers who are experiencing difficulty paying their financial responsibilities can seek financial counselling and mediation from the Farm Debt Mediation Service. It is a free and voluntary service provided to both producers and creditors (s). The service assists in bringing producers and their creditor(s) together in a neutral arena with a mediator to negotiate a mutually acceptable arrangement.
Applicants Who Are Eligible:
To be qualified, your farm must meet one of the two conditions listed below:
- You have ceased or are no longer able to make timely payments.
- If you sold your property, the proceeds would not pay the cost of your loans.
Submission Deadline: Ongoing
Contact:
- Contact Name: Government of Canada
- Phone Number: 1-866-452-5556 (toll-free)
- E-mail Address: [email protected]
AgriStability (Manitoba)
AgriStability (Manitoba) is a Canadian Agricultural Partnership Business Risk Management Program. It assists farmers in managing income risk by offering financial assistance when their farm business suffers a significant margin reduction.
Applicants Who Are Eligible:
- All farmers, including those who farm on reserve lands, are eligible if they engage in at least six months of farming activity and complete a production cycle during their fiscal year.
- Farmers must disclose farming income for income tax reasons unless they are tax-exempt.
- Farmers must follow all programme conditions, including information submission and payment deadlines.
Submission Deadline: Ongoing
Contact:
- Contact Name: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Phone Number: 1-866-367-8506
Land Utilization Program
The Land Utilization Program assists farmers in reviving the titled acreage previously used for agriculture. This includes fencing, returning land to agriculture, and cleaning up environmental or wildlife problems.
Applicants Who Are Eligible
- Producers.
- Producer associations
- Agricultural non-profit organizations.
- Governments.
Submission Deadline: Ongoing
Contact:
- Contact Name: Government of Yukon, Agriculture Branch
- Phone Number: 867-667-5838
- E-mail Address: [email protected]
Yukon Wildlife Damage Compensation Program
The Yukon Wildlife Damage Compensation Program assists farmers in recouping money lost due to wildlife.
Applicants Who Are Eligible:
- Producers that have lost crops or cattle due to wildlife.
- Recipients must demonstrate a strong commitment to avoiding and/or mitigating wildlife damage.
Submission Deadline: Ongoing
Contact:
- Contact Name: Government of Yukon, Agriculture Branch
- Phone Number: 867-667-5838
- E-mail Address: [email protected]
Conclusion
Above are some of the best grants available for farmers in Canada. Before applying, make sure to consult with the grant coordinator. Allow for some wiggle room in the timing and scope of your projects so that you can shape them to fit funding conditions. If you’re applying for a cost-sharing grant, make sure you have the money to finish the project (and the documentation to show it!). Spend time developing supporting documents such as a company strategy, letter of support templates, and financial statements. Keep them on hand to make grant writing easier and faster. Increase your eligibility by collaborating with local non-profits or post-secondary institutions. In your application, include your agricultural vision as well as key buzzwords. Think bold and be imaginative when it comes to framing your efforts.
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