Wild Blueberry
Equipment Efficiency Program (NSDA)- Application Deadline: January 31, 2024!
Happy New Year, everyone!
NSDA launched a new wild blueberry-specific program to help
producers invest in equipment.
I encourage you to look at the program information page and
the program guidelines. Good luck with the application!
Program information page: https://novascotia.ca/programs/wild-blueberry-equipment-efficiency/.
Application
deadline: January 31, 2024!
When you go into the program information page, be
mindful of the deadline or important dates, as well as the “Downloads” which
contain program guidelines and program application).
Program guidelines: https://novascotia.ca/programs/wild-blueberry-equipment-efficiency/wbee-program-guidelines.pdf.
Highlights from the program guidelines:
Applicants can apply for a maximum of 50% assistance to a
maximum of $15,000 per year in the Wild Blueberry Equipment Efficiency
Program. Note 1: All program funding is
subject to funding availability. Note
2: No more than 100% of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible
project cost incurred and paid for by the applicant. This applies to all Nova
Scotia Department of Agriculture Programs.
Note 3: Applicants who applied for auto steer or GPS equipment and
installation under the On-Farm Technology Adoption Program cannot apply for the
same items under this program.
Eligible Expenses:
•
Auto steer equipment
•
High precision GPS, including upgrades
•
Efficient sprayer technology
•
Individual nozzle control
•
Pulse-width modulation upgrade
•
Systems that allow for precision map input
•
Boom width increase with automated boom height and leveling upgrades or
retro-fitting booms with automated boom height and leveling upgrades.
•
Contractor installation fees
Ineligible Expenses These include but are not limited to:
•
administrative / general overhead
•
buildings / building modifications
•
small construction tools • in-kind labour
•
multiple pieces of equipment with the same function (e.g. two specialized
sprayers)
•
ongoing software licensing costs or fees
•
computers, tablets
•
operating expenses / existing staff salaries
•
HST
•
travel