Deadline: 30-Nov-22
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is now open for applications to help farmers tackle climate change.
The Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s Agricultural Climate Solutions initiative, which falls under the $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund, a program managed by Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc. is a delivery partner distributing OFCAF program funding to farmers, co-operatives, and associations in Nova Scotia and in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Program Objectives and Priorities
- The objective of OFCAF is to support farmers in adopting and implementing beneficial management practices (BMPs) that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases, specifically in the areas of:
- nitrogen management
- cover cropping
- rotational grazing
- These practices also provide environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity and soil health.
Funding Information
- The maximum funding available to non-profit agricultural industry associations and community pastures is $75,000.
- You can plan multiple projects and apply for funding for projects in both program years. Each project must be completed and claimed within a project year (either February 7, 2022 to March 31, 2023 or April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024).
Outcomes
- The expected result of the OFCAF program is a resilient food production system in Canada that:
- helps Canada meet national greenhouse gas reduction targets
- protects the environment and improves soil health
- improves farm resiliency in a changing climate
- builds the strength and competitiveness of their agricultural businesses and economy
Eligible Activities
- The OFCAF program will fund the new adoption and on-farm implementation of beneficial management practices (BMPs) that help farmers tackle climate change.
- Improved Nitrogen Management
- Improving manure management to reduce volatilisation (i.e. covering lagoons, using hoses or equipment for shallow incorporation)
- Assessments, creation of plans, and other agronomic supports or technical services
- Soil testing and soil mapping costs
- Increasing the use of fertilizer substitutes such as manure, compost, and digestates
- Increasing legumes in rotation
- Transitioning to banding, side dressing, or injection of fertilizer
- Switching to stabilized nitrogen fertilizers
- Switching to controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers
- Cover Cropping
- Increasing the use of cover crops in rotation
- Increasing the use of intercropping
- Services provided by professional agrologist (P.Ag.), agronomist, or Certified Crop Adviser to further cover cropping on the farm
- Rotational Grazing
- Adding rotational grazing infrastructure (e.g. cross fencing, wildlife friendly fencing, temporary fencing, and waterers, including remote watering systems when powered by renewable energy)
- Improving pasture composition, targeting high-quality forage
- Creation of grazing management plans, technical assessments, or engineered designs
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding for more than one BMP area (nitrogen management, cover cropping, rotational grazing).
- Eligible applicants under OFCAF are:
- Farm or co-operative
- Not-for-profit agricultural association
- Regional or community pasture
- Eligible applicants must:
- Be actively farming
- Be capable of entering into a legally binding agreement and be 19 years of age or older Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Contribution Agreement with Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc.
For more information, visit https://ofcaf.perennia.ca/funding/