Many Nova Scotia farmers miss out on funding because of one detail: their Farm Registration Act status. The Nova Scotia On-Farm Resiliency Program requires your farm to be registered in the correct income category under the Act before you can apply. If your registration is out of date or incorrect, your application can be rejected—even if your project is strong.
This guide explains exactly what Farm Registration Act eligibility means for this program, who qualifies, and how to check your status before you apply.
The On-Farm Resiliency Program is delivered by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. It supports farms investing in projects that improve resilience, including electrical preparedness and wildlife damage mitigation.
To be eligible, your farm must be currently registered under the Farm Registration Act and meet specific income and activity requirements.
To qualify under the Farm Registration Act for this program, your farm must:
Be registered under the Nova Scotia Farm Registration Act
Your registration must be active and in the correct income category at the time of application.
Generate at least $30,000 in annual eligible gross commodity income
This income threshold is mandatory for the On-Farm Resiliency Program.
Be actively farming in the program year
The program is not for inactive or hobby farms.
Have an operator who is 19 years of age or older
Age eligibility applies to the primary applicant.
If your farm is registered but reported income below the required threshold, you may need to update your registration before applying.
The program also recognizes other farming structures:
Mi’kmaq farmers
Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities are eligible, even if they are not registered in the same way as other farms.
Community pastures
Community pastures can apply if they are:
Farm Registration Act registrations are tied to income reporting. For the On-Farm Resiliency Program, the province checks that:
If your income increased recently but your registration was not updated, your application may be deemed ineligible—even if your financial statements show higher revenue.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly confirm whether your farm profile aligns with Nova Scotia agriculture programs before you apply.
While Farm Registration Act eligibility is the gatekeeper, it helps to understand what the program offers once you qualify:
Electrical Preparedness Stream
Wildlife Damage Mitigation Stream
Funding under this program is repayable, which surprises some applicants.
Assuming past registration is enough
Registration must be current for the program year. Old or expired registrations do not qualify.
Reporting the wrong income category
If your farm earns $30,000 or more but your registration shows less, your application may be rejected.
Applying before updating farm details
Changes in ownership, structure, or income should be updated under the Farm Registration Act first.
Overlooking age or activity requirements
Even with valid registration, the applicant must be 19+ and actively farming during the program year.
Q: Does my farm have to be registered under the Farm Registration Act to apply?
Yes. Farms must be currently registered in the correct income category to qualify for the On-Farm Resiliency Program.
Q: What income do I need to qualify under the Farm Registration Act?
You must generate at least $30,000 in annual eligible gross commodity income.
Q: Are Mi’kmaq farmers required to be registered under the Act?
Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities are eligible under program rules, even if their registration structure differs.
Q: Can a new farm apply if it expects to reach $30,000 this year?
You must be actively farming and registered in the correct income category at the time of application. Projected income alone is not enough.
Q: Is funding under this program repayable?
Yes. The On-Farm Resiliency Program provides repayable funding covering up to 50% of eligible costs.
Before applying, confirm your Farm Registration Act status and income category are accurate for the current year. This one step can save weeks of delays or a rejected application.
GrantHub tracks active agriculture grants across Nova Scotia and Canada—check which ones match your farm’s registration, income, and project type. You may also want to explore related guidance like Nova Scotia Small Business Tax Deduction: Eligibility Explained or broader farm funding options across Atlantic Canada.
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