OFCAF
Application process
Applications must be submitted online via ARGO (Agriculture Research Grant Organizer), RDAR’s Grant Management system.
- 1
Review the OFCAF Program guide & the RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement
Before you apply, please ensure you read through the OFCAF Program Guide to get a full understanding of the program and confirm you are eligible to receive funding; and Sub-Contribution Agreement to get a full understanding of your obligations and conditions for reimbursement of Eligible Expenses.
- 2
Connect with a qualified third party (PAg/CCA) to review and approve your BMP plan
Before you submit an application to the OFCAF program, you will need to ensure that your desired BMPs are recommended and approved by a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA). If you require assistance to pay agronomist fees, OFCAF applicants can apply for cost-shared funding to support agronomic and advisory services for up to 10% of their project costs to a maximum of $2,000.
- 3
Create your BMP Action Plan
A BMP Action Plan outlines what you will do to incorporate Beneficial Management Practices on your farm operation. While each farm is unique, farmers should consider all the various OFCAF BMP eligible expenses and choose those best suited to your needs and adapt them to the specific conditions on your farm.
Each online application requires the submission of a BMP Action Plan.
The templates below outline required practices to successfully integrate new BMPs to on-farm activities.
A qualified Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) must recommend each project prior to the submission of an online application.
Costs to develop a plan cannot exceed 10% of the total project costs to a maximum of $2,000.
- 4
Provide aerial photos of your land
Before you submit an application to the OFCAF program, you will need to provide aerial images of your land. These pictures should show any land location where you may be implementing a BMP to demonstrate that it did not exist before applying to the program.Aerial photos can come from sources such as GeoDiscover Alberta or Google Earth.
Please identify:
existing fences and proposed fences in different colours or another easily distinguishable way.
current water sources and proposed water distribution.
- 5
Submit your OFCAF application via ARGO
OFCAF applicants are encouraged to include only activities that they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits. Please note you are able to submit more than one application over the course of the program.
Dates and deadlines
- Applications open
- Mar 2024
- Applications close
- TBD
When funding limits are reached.
- Invoices due by
- Jan 31, 2025
- Payments sent by
- Mar 31, 2025
Application statuses
Submitted Proposal
Your application has been successfully received, but processing has not yet begun.
Under Review – Peer Review
Your applications is actively being reviewed by the OFCAF team.
Revision Requested
More information is needed on your application. The OFCAF team will be in contact with you shortly with questions.
Approved
Your application has been approved! The OFCAF team will be in contact with you shortly with funding details.
Declined
Your application was not approved. If you are interested in submitting another application, please review the program eligibility requirements to ensure success.
Eligible Expenses
Funding Amounts
Please refer to the Program Guide for the most up-to-date information on maximum funding amounts for each BMP.
Receiving Reimbursement
How to submit your final report
This video tutorial will walk you through the steps applicants need to follow in ARGO to submit their final report before receiving reimbursement.
Invoice Guide
The Invoice Guide is used to manage proof of payments and invoices for OFCAF project work completed in 2023.