Starting or growing a farm in New Brunswick often requires more money than most people have on hand. The New Brunswick Agriculture Loan and Loan Guarantees program helps by offering repayable financing or government-backed guarantees to eligible agriculture businesses. This program is delivered by the Government of New Brunswick through the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries and is currently open.
The Agriculture Loan and Loan Guarantees program provides repayable financing to help you start, buy, or expand a farming operation in New Brunswick. Unlike a grant, all funds must be paid back, but the program can make it easier to secure financing—especially if you are a new or expanding farmer.
There are two main options:
This flexibility can help if your bank needs extra security to approve your financing.
To apply for the New Brunswick Agriculture Loan and Loan Guarantees, your business must meet these core requirements:
The program is open to both new farmers and existing farm operations, including those purchasing or taking over a farm.
Eligible uses of funding include a wide range of farm startup and expansion costs, such as:
The province will review your project to make sure it is financially sound and supports agriculture in New Brunswick.
Assuming this is a grant
This program is fully repayable. Make sure you include repayments in your cash flow planning.
Applying without a clear business plan
Weak projections or missing financials can delay or derail approval.
Waiting until after a purchase is finalized
Financing usually must be approved before land or farm ownership changes.
Overlooking loan guarantees
Some applicants focus only on direct loans, even when a guarantee could help secure bank financing.
The program does not publish a fixed maximum dollar amount. Funding levels depend on:
All funding is fully repayable, and repayment terms are set based on your agreement with the province or your lender.
While exact steps can vary by project, the typical application process includes:
Prepare a farm business plan
Outline your operation, financial projections, and repayment ability.
Contact the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Program staff can confirm whether a direct loan or loan guarantee is the right fit.
Work with a lender (if applying for a guarantee)
Loan guarantees usually involve a commercial lender who issues the loan.
Submit required documentation
This may include financial statements, land or asset details, and ownership information.
Await assessment and approval
Applications are reviewed for eligibility, risk, and long-term viability.
If you want to compare this program with other funding options, GrantHub’s eligibility matcher is a useful tool for exploring agriculture funding programs by province and business stage.
Q: Is the New Brunswick Agriculture Loan a grant or a loan?
It is a repayable loan or loan guarantee, not a non-repayable grant. All funds must be paid back under agreed terms.
Q: Can new farmers apply for this program?
Yes. The program supports starting new farms, including first-time farm owners.
Q: What is the difference between a loan and a loan guarantee?
A loan provides direct financing. A loan guarantee reduces risk for a lender, making it easier for you to secure bank financing.
Q: Is there an application deadline?
The program is currently open, but intake timelines and processing times may vary.
Q: Do I need to work with a bank to apply?
Only for loan guarantees. Direct agriculture loans may be issued without a commercial lender, depending on your situation.
If you are planning long-term growth or skills development, these guides may also help:
The New Brunswick Agriculture Loan and Loan Guarantees program can play a key role in starting or expanding your farm—especially when traditional financing falls short. If you want to see how this program compares with other options, GrantHub tracks agriculture loans, guarantees, and grants across Canada so you can make informed decisions before you apply.
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