How to Use Farm Skills Development Grants to Improve Farm Management in New Brunswick

Running a farm today means more than producing crops or livestock. You also manage finances, staff, regulations, and long-term growth. Farm skills development grants in New Brunswick are designed to help you build those management skills, with up to $25,000 per year available to support training, business planning, and agriculture education.

One of the main programs supporting this work is the Business Planning, Skills Development and Agriculture Education Program, offered by the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.

Using Farm Skills Development Grants to Strengthen Farm Management

The Business Planning, Skills Development and Agriculture Education Program helps New Brunswick farms invest in knowledge and planning that improves day-to-day and long-term management.

What the program supports

This program combines three funding streams under one annual cap:

Skills development:
- Up to $6,000 per year
- Training courses, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring
Business planning:
- Up to $10,000 per year
- Farm business plans, financial planning, and management systems
Combined annual maximum:
- Up to $25,000 per year across skills development, business planning, and agriculture education

Funding is repayable, which means it must be paid back under agreed terms. This structure allows the province to support more farms over time while still investing in management capacity.

Who is eligible

While eligibility details are set by the department, the program is designed for:

Agriculture and agri-food businesses operating in New Brunswick
Farms looking to improve competitiveness and management practices
Producers participating in strategic events, mentoring, or education initiatives

Always confirm your eligibility with the program guidelines or program officers before applying.

Eligible farm management activities

Farm skills development grants can be used to improve how your farm is managed, not just how it produces. Eligible activities include:

Financial management training and cost control workshops
Human resources and labour management courses
One-on-one mentoring with experienced farm managers
Participation in strategic agriculture events and conferences
Business process improvement, such as record-keeping systems
Education projects that raise public awareness of New Brunswick agriculture

These investments help you make better decisions, reduce risk, and prepare your farm for growth or succession.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry in seconds, especially if you are comparing agriculture education and skills programs across Atlantic Canada.

How the application process works

While timelines can vary, most provincial agriculture programs follow a similar process:

Define your management need
Identify gaps in skills, planning, or systems on your farm.
Choose eligible activities
Select training, mentoring, or planning services that align with program goals.
Prepare your application
Include costs, timelines, and expected outcomes.
Apply before committing expenses
Funding is typically not retroactive.
Receive approval and complete activities
Reimbursement or payment terms are outlined in your agreement.

Deadlines and intake periods can change, so always check the current program guidelines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying after training is completed
Most farm skills development grants require approval before costs are incurred.
Ignoring the repayable nature of funding
Plan cash flow carefully and understand repayment terms before accepting funding.
Exceeding category limits
You may request up to $25,000 total, but individual caps still apply.
Being vague about outcomes
Applications are stronger when you clearly explain how skills development will improve farm management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much funding can I receive for farm skills development in New Brunswick?
You can receive up to $6,000 per year for skills development, with a combined annual cap of $25,000 when business planning and education are included.

Q: Is this funding a grant or a loan?
The funding is repayable, meaning it functions more like a loan than a non-repayable grant. Repayment terms are outlined in your funding agreement.

Q: What types of training are eligible?
Eligible training includes management courses, mentoring, strategic agriculture events, and education activities that improve farm competitiveness.

Q: Can I apply for business planning and skills development in the same year?
Yes. You can apply for both, as long as the total funding does not exceed $25,000 per year.

Q: How long does it take to receive funding?
Timelines vary, but provincial agriculture programs typically issue funding after approval and completion of eligible activities. Confirm timing with program staff before applying.

Next Steps

Farm skills development grants can make a real difference in how you manage risk, finances, and growth on your farm. GrantHub tracks active agriculture and business planning programs across Canada — check which ones match your farm’s size, location, and management goals.

How to Use Farm Skills Development Grants to Improve Farm Management in New Brunswick