Young Farmer Mentorship Program

The Young Farmer Mentorship Program helps young farmers develop skills, knowledge and connections within the agricultural industry.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be a young farmer, farm or agri-business.

For young farmers, you need to:

  • be a permanent resident of Nova Scotia
  • be 19 to 40 years old an actively farming in the program year
  • be currently involved in agriculture or can display a strong commitment to becoming involved in the industry (like volunteer work or education)
  • commit to at least weekly communication and a minimum of 1 in-person meeting each month over the 4-month period

For farms, you need to:

  • be currently and properly registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act
  • be at least 19 years old and actively farming in the program year
  • have at least 5 years of experience in your field of work
  • commit to at least weekly communication and a minimum of 1 in-person meeting each month over the 4-month period

For agri-businesses, you need to:

  • represent Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products
  • be at least 19 years old
  • have at least 5 years of experience in your field of work
  • conduct value-added processing of a raw Nova Scotia agriculture product, with a direct partnership and significant economic impact to Nova Scotia's agricultural industry
  • demonstrate the value or use of Nova Scotia products and ingredients
  • commit to at least weekly communication and a minimum of 1 in-person meeting each month over the 4-month period
Refer to the Program Guidelines for detailed eligibility.

Deadline or important dates

Program opening: 22 July 2024
Application deadline: 20 September 2024
Claim deadline: 14 March 2025

How to apply

Complete the Program Application Form (make sure to check the application for details on all required supporting documents). Send your completed application and supporting documents to the Programs Division office.

You also need to complete the Program Funding Registration Form.

Contact

Department of Agriculture
Programs Division
74 Research Drive
Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2

Phone: 902-893-6377
Toll-free: 1-866-844-4276
Fax: 902-893-7579
prm@novascotia.ca

Downloads

Program Guidelines
Program Application - Young Farmer
Program Application - Mentor
Program Funding Registration Form - Farm Applicants
Program Funding Registration Form - Agri-business Applicants