Short growing seasons can limit how much your farm produces and earns each year. The Season Extension Enhancement Program in Nova Scotia supports farms that want to keep growing or storing products beyond the usual season. The program helps pay for things like greenhouses or cold storage. If you sell to local markets or need to supply buyers all year, this program can help lower your loan costs while you improve your farm.
The Season Extension Enhancement Program is run by the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board (NSFLB). It does not give out cash grants. Instead, it provides a 0.50% interest-rate reduction on approved Farm Loan Board loans for projects that help you grow or store crops for longer.
To qualify, you must:
If you do not qualify for Farm Loan Board financing, you cannot get this benefit—even if your project helps extend the season.
Your project must help you grow, harvest, or store products outside the normal season. Examples of eligible costs include:
The Farm Loan Board checks each project to make sure it meets the program’s goals.
The application goes hand-in-hand with your Farm Loan Board loan request. Here are the main steps:
First, explain clearly how your project will help you grow or store products for more months. For example:
A clear plan helps your application.
You need to fill out a loan application with the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board. You’ll need to provide:
If your loan and project are approved, you get the interest-rate reduction.
When you are approved:
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly check if this program fits your farm and find other Nova Scotia funding you can use together with your loan.
Thinking this is a grant you don’t have to repay
The program lowers your interest costs, but you must still repay the loan.
Applying without Farm Loan Board approval
You need to be approved for both the loan and the Enhancement Program. Loans from other banks do not qualify.
Giving unclear project details
Make sure your project clearly helps extend your growing or storage season. General upgrades may not be accepted.
Not checking long-term costs
Lower interest helps, but you still need to make sure your business can handle the loan payments all year.
Q: Is the Season Extension Enhancement Program a grant or a loan?
It is a repayable loan benefit, not a grant. The program gives you a 0.50% interest-rate reduction on certain Farm Loan Board loans.
Q: How much funding can I receive?
There is no fixed amount. Your savings depend on your loan size, term, and the interest you save.
Q: Can I apply without being approved under the Enhancement Program?
No. You must be approved for the Season Extension Enhancement Program to get the interest-rate reduction.
Q: Are interest savings considered taxable income?
Interest savings are usually not taxed, but check with your accountant to be sure.
Q: What types of farms are eligible?
Both crop and livestock farms may qualify if the project extends your production or storage season and meets Farm Loan Board rules.
The Season Extension Enhancement Program can lower your loan costs. For best results, look for other grants or loans that work with this program. GrantHub tracks all active farm funding in Nova Scotia and across Canada. Use GrantHub to see which programs fit your farm and build a funding plan that supports your goals.
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