Planning and Assessment for Value-added Enterprises

T he Planning and Assessment for Value-Added Enterprises (PAVE) program supports the development of feasibility assessments and business comprehensive plans for the establishment or expansion of value-added enterprises.

Planning and assessment improve chances for success of the start-up and operation of the business project. The program ensures that those considering new business ventures or expansion are fully aware of what is involved, preferably before committing significant capital.

In addition, the program encourages alliances among farmers establishing value-added enterprises.

Eligibility Criteria

• Farmers with annual gross farm sales in excess of $10 000.
• Beginning farmers.

Note: a beginning farmer is someone who plans to establish a farm or who has already owned or operated a farm for at least six years and can demonstrate the operation will generate annual gross farm sales of $10 000.

Eligible Activities

The preparation of feasibility assessments and business comprehensive plans for the establishment or expansion of value-added enterprises.

Deadline

2008-03-31

Summary

Objective
Advise farmers to help them make decisions on whether or not to pursue a value-added opportunity.

Another program objective is to improve the chances of obtaining debt or equity capital from public and private financial institutions and individual private investors.

Expected Results
Increase income and profitability for farmers through value-added activities.

Funding
Eligible projects will be funded up to 50% of the consultant's eligible costs for the preparation of a feasibility assessment and/or business plan.

Maximum eligible funding:

• up to $10 000 for an individual applicant;
• up to $20 000 for two participants;
• up to $25 000 for three or more participants over the life of the program.

Non-farmers may be members of a project but are not eligible for PAVE funding.

Total government (federal, provincial and municipal) assistance must not exceed 75% of eligible expenditures. Funding for projects under the PAVE program from more than one Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada source is not permitted.

New Brunswick Contact(s):
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador:
Canadian Agri-Renewal Services
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Research Centre
850 Lincoln Road
P.O. Box 57000
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 6C2
Telephone: (506) 452-4098
Fax: (506) 452-4975
Toll-free (information): 1-866-452-5558
Web site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.phtml

New Brunswick:
Renewal Specialist
Agriculture and Aquaculture
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 5H1
Telephone: 506-432-2157
Fax: 506-453-7406

---

National Contact(s):
Canadian Agri-Renewal Services offices
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Toll-free (information): 1-866-452-5558
Web site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.phtml