Funding for Transformative Agriculture Projects
Brandon Millen, co-owner of East Coast Wild Blueberry Ltd. in Debert, Colchester County (left), and Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow hold a container of frozen rhubarb. (Province of Nova Scotia)
The Province is investing more than $1.7 million to help agriculture businesses develop new products, expand production and reach new domestic and international markets.
Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow announced the four projects receiving funding today, July 13, at East Coast Wild Blueberry Ltd. in Debert, Colchester County. The company will use $600,000 in funding from the Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund to help establish commercial rhubarb production, generating about $7 million in additional annual sales.
“We’re investing in companies that are making a strong contribution to our economy and to rural communities,” said Minister Morrow. “Through this fund, we’re helping them develop new markets, increase their revenue base and build value here in Nova Scotia.”
The other recipients are:
- Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms Inc., Great Village, Colchester County – $500,000 to expand year-round greenhouse production of leafy greens using hydroponic technology, increasing local food production and reducing reliance on imports
- Eyking Brothers Farms Ltd., Millville, Cape Breton Regional Municipality – $400,000 to build a modern packing and distribution facility and purchase advanced harvesting equipment to improve efficiency, product quality and access to international markets
- Vitis Vines Inc., Centreville, Kings County – $235,000 to expand tissue culture capacity to increase the supply of locally produced grapevines and horticultural planting material, reducing reliance on imported stock.
The Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund was created to support innovative seafood and agriculture projects that boost productivity, strengthen competitiveness and help agriculture and seafood businesses respond to changing markets. By investing in transformative projects with measurable economic outcomes, the program helps create long-term value for Nova Scotia's agriculture and seafood sectors.
Quotes:
“We’ve spent years building our business and looking for opportunities to keep growing. Expanding into rhubarb allows us to reach new export markets, so this investment is helping strengthen our farm for the future.”
— Brandon Millen, co-owner, East Coast Wild Blueberry Ltd.
“This has been such an exciting and rewarding program for us to administer for the Province. It was a rigorous and competitive application process and the agriculture industry showed up with progressive ideas, business acumen and passion, underscoring how bright the future is for their businesses, their communities and for Nova Scotia.”
— Lynne Godlien, CEO, Perennia
Quick Facts:
- the fund received applications from 55 producers and agri-businesses across Nova Scotia
- funded projects must be completed by January 2027
- the four projects will cost nearly $10 million total
- these are the first projects receiving support from the fund; more recipients may be announced as remaining applications are finalized
- the fund is managed by Perennia, a provincial development agency with a mission to support growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood and food and beverage sectors
Additional Resources:
News release – New Fund to Support Growth in Agriculture, Seafood Sectors: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/22/new-fund-support-growth-agriculture-seafood-sectors
Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund guidelines: https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NS-SASI-Guidelines.pdf