Future Farmer Program

Description

The Future Farmer Program will support the expansion of domestic and international competitiveness by supporting new farmers to improve the probability that they establish or continue profitable and sustainable commercial farm businesses.

The Future Farmer Program 2.0 supports business sector capacity growth and competitiveness by helping new farmers establish or continue profitable and sustainable commercial farm businesses. The program will help new entrants identify and prioritize their business goals and will help them identify the planning, management and technical skills they need to reach their goals.

The Future Farmer Program 2.0 has two sub-programs:

• 4.2.1 Agri-Start Sub-Program
• 4.2.2 Continuing to Grow Sub-Program

Am I eligible to apply for Future Farmer 2.0 funding?

The following includes a summary of program and funding eligibility. Before completing the application form, please review program and funding criteria in the Future Farmer Program 2.0 Guidelines .

Eligible Recipients

• Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups; and
• Agricultural Producers.

4.2.1 Agri-Start Sub-Program

The Agri-Start sub-program will support new farmers as they start their agricultural career. New producers who have not yet achieved an annual agricultural income of $20,000 are eligible for this sub-program.

Eligible Recipients must:

• Be a new agricultural producer (must not have reported farm income for more than 5 years);
• Have not reported over $20,000 in annual agricultural income;
• Have or develop a business or succession plan;
• Be a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident; and
• Be a resident of Prince Edward Island.

Eligible Activities/Expenses

• Facilitation and coaching assistance by a program advisor;
• Development and implementation of continuous-improvement on-farm projects1;
• Skills development and training assistance by a third-party2;
• Business or succession-planning assistance;
• Analytical laboratory testing; and
• Participation in the following Business Risk Management (BRM) Programs: AgriStability and AgriInsurance.

NOTES:

• Note1: Future Farmer Program 2.0 recipients must demonstrate clear linkages to one of the Sustainable CAP Framework key priority areas for all on-farm projects pursued under this eligible activity. Continuous improvement on-farm projects must be reviewed by the 1) Program Manager OR 2) Review Committee prior to submission.
• Note2: Skill development and training must be pre-approved by the Program Manager.

4.2.2 Continuing to Grow Sub-Program

Eligible Recipients must:

• Be a new agricultural producer (must not have reported farm income for more than 5 years);
• Have or develop a business or succession plan;
• The participant must have reported at least $20,000 in annual farm sales; or have received an on-farm salary in excess of $20,000 annually;
• The farm succession/business plan must indicate that the participant is named as a successor or that there are plans to incorporate the participant into farm ownership or owns at least 15% of the common voting shares or must be the beneficial owner of at minimum of 15% ownership of a partnership;
• Be a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident; and
• Be a resident of Prince Edward Island.

Eligible Activities/Expenses

• Facilitation and coaching for those required to have a business plan or a succession plan, by a program advisor or a specialized service provider;
• Development and implementation of continuous-improvement on-farm projects contributing to improved efficiency and/or increased production by implementing practices or equipment new to the operation1;
• Skills development and training assistance by a third-party2;
• Analytical laboratory testing; and
• Participation in the following Business Risk Management (BRM) Programs: AgriStability and AgriInsurance.

NOTES:

• Note1: Future Farmer Program 2.0 recipients must demonstrate clear linkages to one of the Sustainable CAP Framework key priority areas for all on-farm projects pursued under this eligible activity. Continuous improvement on-farm projects must be reviewed by the 1) Program Manager OR 2) Review Committee, prior to submission.
• Note2: Skill development and training must be pre-approved by the Program Manager.

What do I need to complete the application form?

Information required for all programs:

• Applicant contact information;
• Business or organization information, including CRA registration number;
  • If applicable, Partnership information
• Project start and end date;
• Additional sources of project funding;
• Recipient type (i.e. primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor);
• Type of industry (i.e. Dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains and oilseeds);
• Signature for declaration and consent to personal information; and
• Demographic information (optional).

Future Farmer Program 2.0 Project Details

• Application information on:
  • Residency;
  • Citizenship;
  • Education;
  • Farm History and Experience;
  • Farming Income; and
  • Environmental Farm Plans.