RDAR — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)
AB, Canada
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) helps producers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by financially supporting new beneficial management practices.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJanuary 31, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
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The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), managed by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), aims to support producers in Alberta in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing farm sustainability. The program provides financial support for the adoption of new beneficial management practices (BMPs) in three activity areas: improved nitrogen management, enhanced soil health with cover crops, and strengthened rotational grazing systems. Eligible activities must be new practices not already routine for the farm and must be pre-approved by RDAR.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is designated for producers located in Alberta, as specified by the program delivery partner and funding body. Eligible geographical areas are aligned to support agriculture and environmental practices within the province.
- Companies and producers headquartered in Alberta, Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$15,000
Strengthening rotational grazing systems on a beef cattle ranch
$7,500
Introducing a cover cropping BMP Action Plan for a dairy farm located
$5,500
Introducing perennial legumes in crop rotations to improve nitrogen fixation on a farm
$6,500
Implementing a nitrogen management BMP Action Plan on an organic grain farm
$7,000
Developing a Nitrogen Management BMP Action Plan for a grain farm
$5,000
Establishing a cover crop system to enhance soil health on an organic vegetable farm
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- The applicant must be an active producer, including proprietorship, corporation, or registered partnership, that can demonstrate a minimum of $25,000 of gross farm income in Alberta.
- The applicant must work with a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) to develop a BMP Action Plan based on agronomic advice and detailing cost differences from usual practices.
- The applicant must be headquartered in Alberta and apply funds only to lands in Alberta.
- The project must have a minimum eligible project cost of $2,500.
- The applicant must pay 100% of the costs upfront, as all payments will be considered taxable income.
- Landlords whose only interest is in the land but are not raising crops or livestock are ineligible.
- Funding must be for the new adoption of BMPs; farmers cannot receive funding for a BMP already in use or a project funded from other sources.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants include active producers, such as proprietorships, corporations, or registered partnerships, who can demonstrate a minimum of $25,000 of gross farm income and are headquartered in Alberta.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries based on their main activities and land interest. The restrictions ensure that funds are provided to active producers genuinely looking to implement new sustainable practices on their farms.
- Landlords whose only interest is in the land and are not actively raising crops or livestock.
- Entities where the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) are already in use.
- Projects where costs are funded from sources other than OFCAF.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible projects for this grant focus on the adoption of on-farm Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) to improve environmental sustainability and efficiency. These projects aim to lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase soil health, and enhance biodiversity.
- Improving nitrogen management through agronomic services, soil sampling, and analysis.
- Increasing the adoption of cover cropping by providing resources for seed and custom seeding costs.
- Expanding the adoption of rotational grazing by developing grazing management plans, and installing necessary infrastructure like cross fencing and water systems.
- Supporting additional activities like outreach, education, and training related to BMP adoption.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for the grant are those costs directly associated with the adoption and implementation of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm.
- Agronomic services to develop farm-specific nutrient management plans.
- Equipment rental or custom rates for fertilizer application in fields.
- Soil sampling and analysis costs.
- Payment-per-acre for cover cropping adoption or related costs such as seed and custom seeding.
- Agronomic services to develop grazing management plans.
- Costs associated with installing interior cross fencing or water system infrastructure.
- Planting legumes and forages for rotational grazing purposes.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Ensure you are an active producer based in Alberta with a minimum of $25,000 in gross farm income.
- Verify that you're proposing new BMP implementations not previously practiced on your farm.
- Step 2: Develop BMP Action Plan
- Engage with a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) to create your BMP Action Plan.
- Include agronomic advice and cost differences from existing practices in your plan.
- Attach labelled maps with project field boundaries using air photos or images.
- Step 3: Prepare Application
- Gather all necessary documentation including evidence of Alberta headquarters and gross income.
- Ensure your project meets the minimum cost of $2,500 and involves new BMP installation.
- Step 4: Application Submission
- Complete all sections of the application form as directed by RDAR.
- Upload all required documents through the submission process outlined by RDAR.
- Step 5: Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Receive confirmation of your application submission from RDAR.
- Maintain communication for any necessary follow-up actions or requests for additional information.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The OFCAF program uses an application and approval process, where expenses must be pre-approved and documented for reimbursement. Payments for approved projects are considered taxable income and have specific submission deadlines.
- Applications from 2023 not reviewed due to lack of funds must be re-submitted.
- Projects planned after April 1, 2024, must be pre-approved in writing.
- Invoices must include Legal Land Descriptions (LLDs) and proof of payment.
- Applications close once funding is fully allocated.
- The same BMP cannot be funded on the same field in 2024 if it was funded in previous years.
- Maximum reimbursement is 85% of eligible costs, up to $75,000 over the three-year period from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025.
- Landlords without a direct interest in raising crops or livestock are ineligible.
- Reimbursements are made by March 31, 2025.
grant_single_labels|contact
ofcaf.bmp@rdar.ca
1-877-503-5955
Apply to this program
OFCAF: Empowering Alberta's Agriculture Towards Sustainability
OFCAF offers financial support to producers in Alberta to encourage the adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative fosters production efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in farm operations.
Understanding the OFCAF Grant Program and Its Strategic Importance
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a pivotal financial initiative designed to enhance the agricultural sector's sustainability efforts, primarily in Alberta. Administered by the RDAR as a delivery partner, the fund focuses on implementing Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase productivity, and foster environmental stewardship.
The program operates under three main activity categories: improving nitrogen management, increasing the adoption of cover cropping, and expanding rotational grazing. Each category offers specific interventions designed to achieve substantial environmental benefits, such as improved biodiversity and enhanced soil health. For instance, improving nitrogen management might involve developing nutrient management plans or soil analysis to optimize fertilizer use efficiently.
Additionally, OFCAF supports practices like the implementation of cover cropping—often through financial incentives like per-acre payments to offset costs related to seed purchase or custom seeding. Cover crops play a crucial role in maintaining soil integrity, enhancing its quality, and mitigating the risks of soil erosion. Moreover, the program promotes rotational grazing methods which involve strategically moving livestock to allow for forage regrowth and to restore soil health, ensuring long-term pasture sustainability.
Producers are encouraged to collaborate with Professional Agrologists (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisors (CCA) to develop a BMP Action Plan that aligns with their needs and the ecological goals of OFCAF. Such collaborations ensure that the practices are based on expert agronomic advice, enhancing the feasibility and effectiveness of the BMPs adopted.
This proactive approach not only supports Canada's climate change targets by lowering agricultural GHG emissions but also equips farmers with more robust, resilient operations capable of enduring market and climate fluctuations. The financial model requires that producers cover costs upfront, ensuring committed investment into new and strategic BMPs. This ensures that the initiatives supported are fresh implementations rather than existing practices, maximizing the program's long-term impact on sustainability and agricultural practices.
Recognizing the need for flexibility and inclusivity, OFCAF is accessible to a wide range of agricultural business formats in Alberta—provided they can demonstrate the necessary financial benchmarks and develop a feasible BMP Action Plan. This empowers the regional producers, including small to medium enterprises, to tap into specialized resources and technical knowledge to enhance their operations while contributing actively to sustainable farming and climate action.
In conclusion, the OFCAF represents a significant opportunity for Alberta's producers to not only improve their operational sustainability but also to play a part in broader environmental efforts, thereby driving forward a more resilient and climate-friendly agricultural economy.
