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Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)
Supports Nova Scotia farmers adopting climate-friendly agricultural practices
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), delivered by Perennia in Nova Scotia, provides up to $100,000 in funding to help farmers, co-operatives, and agricultural groups implement new beneficial management practices that enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible activities include improving nitrogen management, adopting cover cropping, and establishing rotational grazing systems.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 85% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Implementation of improved nitrogen management practices on farms.
- Introduction or expansion of cover cropping systems within crop rotations.
- Adoption of rotational grazing systems and installation of related infrastructure.
- Development of plans and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration on agricultural land.
- Professional training and technical support for the adoption of climate-friendly agricultural practices.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Farms
- Co-operatives
- Not-for-profit agricultural associations
- Regional or community pastures
- Other agricultural producer groups
- Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities
- Underrepresented groups involved in agriculture
Who is not eligible
- Companies not headquartered in Nova Scotia.
- Organizations not actively engaged in farming activities or agricultural production.
- Businesses applying funds to lands outside Nova Scotia.
- Applicants unable to pay 100% of project costs up front.
- For-profit companies outside of the farming/agricultural sector.
Eligible expenses
- Difference in cost between urea and eligible polymer coated urea (PCU) fertilizers.
- Difference in cost between eligible stabilized fertilizers and urea (must include both urease and nitrification inhibitors).
- Fees for plans, assessments, design work, and consultancy costs for technical or agronomic support.
- Soil testing and soil mapping costs (only when combined with another eligible practice and capped at $20,000).
- Offset costs for adopting synthetic fertilizer substitutes such as manure, compost, or digestates.
- Costs for split application of fertilizer with a reduced rate based on increased crop use efficiency.
- Seed and planting costs for increasing legumes in crop rotation (flat rate basis).
- Purchase or upgrade of fertilizer application equipment for banding, side-dressing, or injection (cap applies).
- Spreading costs and equipment for improved manure application, including hoses or shallow incorporation devices (restrictions apply for equipment type).
- Professional service fees from agronomists, agrologists, or Certified Crop Advisers related to cover cropping or rotational grazing.
- Seed costs or per-acre payments for cover cropping with regionally-appropriate seed varieties.
- Purchase or upgrade of direct planting equipment for cover crops (certain types only, capped per applicant).
- Infrastructure costs for rotational grazing (e.g., cross fencing, virtual fencing, wildlife-friendly fencing, temporary fencing, waterers, and remote watering systems powered by renewable energy), including third-party installation labor.
- Seeding costs for improving pasture composition with eligible low methane species.
- Costs for developing grazing management plans, technical assessments, or engineered designs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Additional information
- All recipients are required to complete an educational activity related to each adopted best management practice (BMP).
- Recipients must retain all original invoices and proofs of payment for seven years after project completion for potential federal review.
- OFCAF contributions are considered taxable income and will be reported with an AGR-1 tax slip.
- Monitoring or site visits may be conducted to ensure compliance with approved project activities.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)?
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), delivered by Perennia in Nova Scotia, provides up to $100,000 in funding to help farmers, co-operatives, and agricultural groups implement new beneficial management practices that enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible activities include improving nitrogen management, adopting cover cropping, and establishing rotational grazing systems.
How much funding can be received?
Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Funds up to 85% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) program?
To be eligible for the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) program, you must:
Must be a farm or co-operative
Must be actively farming and headquartered in Nova Scotia
Must be capable of paying 100% of costs up front
What expenses are eligible under Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)?
Implementation of improved nitrogen management practices on farms.
Introduction or expansion of cover cropping systems within crop rotations.
Adoption of rotational grazing systems and installation of related infrastructure.
Development of plans and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration on agricultural land.
Professional training and technical support for the adoption of climate-friendly agricultural practices.
Who can I contact for more information about the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)?
You can contact Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation by email at programs@perennia.ca or by phone at 902-678-7722.
Where is the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) available?
The Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Perennia — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a Grant and Funding