Drought Recovery Initiative
The 2025 Canada-Nova Scotia Drought Recovery Initiative supports eligible livestock and wild blueberry producers who incurred extraordinary costs due to the extreme drought conditions experienced in Nova Scotia in 2025. The program provides funding to help offset eligible drought-related expenses, including feed, water, transportation, fertilizer, pesticide and pollination costs.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must be a Nova Scotia livestock producer (cattle, sheep or goats) or wild blueberry producer.
Applicants must:
- be currently registered under the Farm Registration Act
- be actively farming in the program year
- be 19 years of age or older
- for livestock producers: have held a minimum of 10 beef or dairy cattle, or 30 sheep or goats, on 1 August 2025
- for wild blueberry producers: have actively managed a minimum of 10 acres during the 2025 season
Refer to the program guidelines for detailed eligibility.
Deadline or important dates
Program opening: 3 July 2026
Livestock application deadline 31 August 2026
Wild blueberry application deadline: 30 November 2026
How to apply
Submit a complete application, including all required supporting documentation, by the application deadline listed (make sure to check the application for details on all required supporting documents). Only one application per farm will be accepted. Farms with both livestock and wild blueberries can contact Programs before the livestock deadline to apply in two parts.
Applicants new to programs since 2023 must complete the Program Funding Registration (PFR) form. Returning applicants are to update their PFR form as necessary.
Contact
Department of Agriculture
Programs Division
74 Research Drive
Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2
Phone: 902-893-6377
Toll-free: 1-866-844-4276
prm@novascotia.ca
Downloads
Program Guidelines
Program Application
Wild Blueberry PIDs Worksheet
Wild Blueberry Application Records
Forage Type/Weight Worksheet (PDF)