INNOVATION THEME
2017–2018
Farm Innovation
Guidelines
Version 2
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2017–2018
FARM INNOVATION 2
For more information please contact:
Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM)
74 Research Drive
Bible Hill, Nova Scotia B6L 2R2
Tel: 902-893-6377 Toll free: 1-866-844-4276
Fax: 902-893-7579
Email: [email protected] Website: http://novascotia.ca/programs
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2017–2018
FARM INNOVATION 3
OVERVIEW
The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) and Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada (AAFC)
entered into a five‐year (2013‐2018) bilateral agreement to implement Growing Forward 2, the policy
framework for agriculture.
Under the Growing Forward 2 bilateral agreement, $37 million in federal and provincial funding will be invested
over five years towards strategic initiative programming. Over the five years Growing Forward
2 and Homegrown Success programs will focus on three thematic areas:
1) Innovation
2) Competitiveness and Market Development
3) Adaptability and Industry Capacity
With the strength of our partnership with Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada and the funding for
programming under Growing Forward 2, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture is well‐positioned to
provide assistance for the tools needed to improve profitability and competitiveness in Nova Scotia.
INNOVATION
The innovation theme supports and promotes a market-oriented, consumer-driven agricultural industry by
investing in initiatives that will improve the competitiveness and profitability of Nova Scotia’s agriculture, agrifood and agri-based product sector. The innovation theme provides support through the following four
initiatives:
 The Research Acceleration initiative, which supports the development and adaption of new and leading
agricultural technologies and knowledge to enhance the competitive position of Nova Scotia’s
agriculture and agri-food industry. Specifically, this initiative supports research positions and applied
research projects identified as key priority areas by industry and educational institutions.
 The Farm Innovation initiative supports the assessment, adoption and implementation of innovative
technologies on the farm to improve profitability and competitiveness. Projects should also provide
benefits for the industry and/or community. Innovative projects should be new and not currently
available or adopted in Nova Scotia. Projects will be classed as either innovative projects or as crop and
livestock management projects.
 The Agri-Products Innovation and Commercialization initiative supports the creation and
commercialization of new innovative opportunities to strengthen the competitiveness of Nova Scotia’s
agriculture, agri-food and agri-based product sectors.
 The Atlantic Agriculture Research and Innovation Initiative encourages Atlantic Canadian collaboration
and provide financial assistance on research and Innovation projects, of mutual benefit, which can lead
to improved profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability of the agriculture, agri-food, and agriproduct sectors in Atlantic Canada.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2017–2018
FARM INNOVATION 4
Project objectives should include:
 the assessment, implementation or adoption (modification) of specialized equipment
 adoption of new technology, process or management practices
Crop and livestock management projects should include:
 alternative management strategies on animal or crop performance supporting technology transfer on farm
such as crop and livestock management systems and practices
Who Can Apply
An eligible applicant is an agricultural industry association that:
 represents identifiable Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products; and
 demonstrates not-for-profit status by providing Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) documentation.
An eligible applicant is a farm that:
 is currently registered under the Farm Registration Act;
 is at least 19 years of age and actively farming in the program year; and
 generates an annual eligible gross farming income of $10,000 or more. The eligible farming income will be
based on the Statement of Farming Activities (T2042, T1273) or Schedule 125 (Farm Revenue – detailing sales
by commodity revenue code) for corporations and limited companies that was filed with Canada Revenue
Agency (CRA) for the most recently filed tax year. The minimum income requirement must be satisfied by
eligible commodity sales or agricultural custom work; however, only up to $2,500 of sales may be comprised
of forest product sales or agriculture custom work.
New Entrant: For the purpose of this program, an applicant is considered a new entrant for the first five years
from the date of initial registration. The requirement of generating $10,000 in farm income will be waived if the
applicant:
 has registered for the first time during or after the 2013-14 registration year; and
 must be able to show that it is an active farm, e.g., incurring commodity expenses.
How to Apply
Step 1 - Submit a Letter of Intent Form to the Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM) office of the
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture by January 27, 2017. Letters of Intent will be reviewed by Value Chain
Division of the NS Department of Agriculture. A Business Development Officer may contact you to discuss your
Letter of Intent.
Step 2 - If your Letter of Intent is accepted, you will be provided with a template to submit a detailed proposal to
the Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM) office by March 29, 2017 using the template provided.
Full proposals will be reviewed and considered for funding approval by a Selection Committee of industry peers
and/or subject matter experts. Ratings are based on the Selection Criteria and Weighting form.
Note: please submit letters of support from the industry expressing the industry benefit(s) and/or issue(s) to be
addressed.
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FARM INNOVATION 5
Financial Information
Tier 1 - For adaptation projects, applicants can apply for a maximum of $20,000 with assistance up to 75 per
cent of total eligible cash expenditures.
Tier 2 - For crop and livestock management projects, applicants can apply for a maximum of $15,000 with
assistance up to 75 per cent of total eligible cash expenditures.
Once approved, a Letter of Agreement (LOA) will be sent to the applicant and the project will then be eligible for
a one-third advance upon receipt of a signed copy of the LOA by the applicant.
Example Eligible Expenses
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direct project costs
contracted labour/consultants/professional fees
travel (transportation and accommodations)
materials, supplies, rentals
specialized equipment
HST for qualifying not-for-profit organizations and universities
Ineligible Expenses
 infrastructure
 administration and general overhead
 operating expenses, existing staff salaries
NOTE: Applicants are asked to prioritize their submissions. In the instance of multiple proposals submitted by a
single applicant, no more than two can be simultaneously active within the life of the program (2013-2018). For
crop and livestock management projects, no more than five can be simultaneously active within the life of the
program.
Claiming
All claims must be submitted to the PBRM office no later than March 1, 2018. Interim claims can be submitted
any time. All projects must be paid for and completed by March 1, 2018. The claim must include copies of all
invoices for eligible project costs incurred and paid by the applicant. Applicants must include proof of payment
to support completed approved project activities (e.g., debit slips or official invoices marked paid and signed by
supplier, cancelled cheques, credit card statements).
Written Reports
Projects approved for funding have the following mandatory reporting requirements:
 reports to be submitted electronically to PBRM office;
 continuation of funding is upon review of the Interim Report;
 final reports for projects must be submitted 30 days after the final claim deadline;
 reports shall be a two-page summary or factsheet of the project and findings;
 failure to submit a final report will affect future funding considerations by the PBRM office; and
 reports may be made available publically on the department’s website.
 a follow up review may be conducted one year after project completion
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2017–2018
FARM INNOVATION 6
Project Evaluation and Audit
Review and evaluation of projects may be carried out by officials of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
(NSDA) or other parties chosen by the NSDA for the purpose of audit, analysis, evaluation, program
development and determining assistance. This review and evaluation process may be conducted prior to project
commencement, during work or upon project completion. Applicants may be asked to complete an evaluation
survey statement related to their final claim.
Confidentiality
Applicants consent to the release of their name and the amount of support received under the program as
public information to be actively disseminated by the Department of Agriculture. Any other information
provided, unless disclosed in the manner and for the purposes stated above, will be subject to the
confidentiality and disclosure provisions to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act.
Contact Information
To find out more information about the Business Development Program please contact Programs at: 902-8936377, toll free 1-866-844-4276, or your regional office at the following locations:
Central Region
Truro office
902-893-6575
Valley Region
Kentville office
902-679-6021
Western Region
Cornwallis office
902-638-2395
Eastern Region
Antigonish office
902-863-7180
Cape Breton Region
Sydney office
902-563-2000
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FARM INNOVATION 7
Scoring Template for Full Proposal Invitees
Program: Farm Innovation
Key Components:
1. Comprehensive Project Description
Weight %
25%
a. Project Overview
- Description of key points/goals/activities/expected results
- Identification of collaboration
b. Background Information and Statement of the Problem/Opportunity
- History of project activities
- Indication of why project should be funded
2. Business Case
50%
a. Project Objectives and Value Proposition
- Overlap between proposal and guideline objectives
- Discussion of value proposition for the business
- Benefits to the business (i.e. competition, innovation, profitability)
b. Methods
- Timelines
- Link between methods and objectives
- Identification of any new, unique, or innovative actions
c. Available Resources/Support
- Listing of project partners and their contributions to the project (funding, resources,
materials, donations, etc.)
- Describe the current financial status of the business.
d. Required Resources/Support
- Description of personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, communication, etc.
e. Impact to the Nova Scotia Agriculture Industry
- Details of specific market and customer information
- Project’s strategic, market, or economic advantage
- Listing of letters of support from local resources
3. Budget and Financing
10%
- Listing of all project expense details, including eligible and non-eligible items
- Identification of costs shared with other organizations
4. Project Management Plan and Expertise
10%
- Description of how project will be executed, monitored, and controlled
- Description of project management team (roles, expertise)
- Identification of project partners
5. Evaluation Plan
5%
- Description of how project will be evaluated with reference to objectives
6. Appendices
- Do not include full business plans, marketing plans, strategies, or reports.
- Concise and relevant to proposed project
- Example include financial statements, letters of support, Cooperative Agency descriptions,
and contractor/product quotes
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