OFCAF
On-Farm Climate Action Fund
The Agricultural Climate Solutions On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative to help farmers tackle climate change. Funding for this program has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund. Read the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada OFCAF news release.
Thanks to overwhelming interest in the OFCAF program, RDAR’s OFCAF program has been fully subscribed for 2023. Details on further opportunities will be announced as we have information from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
OFCAF PROGRAM
OFCAF provides financial support to producers to accelerate their adoption and implementation of on-farm Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) to lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, support production efficiency, sustainability and resiliency on their farm operations.
To assist producers with their adoption of new BMPs, the program will offer producers resources to support BMP implementation and provide BMP design recommendations.
RDAR is a program delivery partner that will administer OFCAF in Alberta, for Alberta’s producers. RDAR is delivering OFCAF in three activity categories:
1. Improving Nitrogen Management
For example, agronomic services to develop farm-specific nutrient management plans, equipment rental or custom rates for fertilizer application in fields, and soil sampling and analysis.
2. Increasing Adoption of Cover Cropping
For example, payment-per-acre to cover adoption or related costs such as seeds and equipment. Cover crops are planted after harvest to protect and enhance the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested.
3. Expanding the Adoption of Rotational Grazing
For example, agronomic services to develop grazing management plans, install interior cross fencing or water system infrastructure, plant legumes and forages. Rotational grazing is the practice of containing and moving livestock through pasture to allow forage plants to recover, deepen their root systems and improve soil health.
INFORMATION ON 2023 PAYMENTS
All eligible 2023 payments are in progress. Please submit your final report as soon as your project is completed to ensure prompt payment. Use the OFCAF Invoice Guide to manage proof of payments and invoices for OFCAF project work in 2023.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Step 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
- RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement to get a full understanding of your obligations and conditions for reimbursement of Eligible Expenses.
Step 2:
connect with a qualified third party (p.Ag / 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.
Step 3:
Create your bmp 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.
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Step 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 include existing fences and proposed fences on the air photo in different colors or provide some other easy way to distinguish between the two. Also, identify current water sources and proposed water distribution.
Step 5:
Apply to OFCAF using ARGO
OFCAF will open for applications starting February 13, 2023. You must submit all OFCAF application materials online using ARGO (Agriculture Research Grant Organizer), RDAR’s online grant management system. Once you create and have your account validated, ARGO allows you to manage your OFCAF application, view all funding-related interactions, and see payment details.
As a reminder, be sure to review the OFCAF Program Guide and the RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement before you apply.
PROGRAM DETAILS
OFCAF provides cost-shared funding to eligible producers and supports the training of Certified Crop Advisors and Agrologists as well as information sharing throughout the agricultural community. The objective of OFCAF is to support Producers in adopting Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases, specifically in the areas of:
1. Nitrogen Management
2. Cover Cropping
3. Rotational Grazing
These practices also provide other environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity and soil health. Other activities to support the adoption of BMPs, such as outreach, education, and training, are also supported.
ELIGIBLITY
Who can apply:
You are an active producer, including proprietorship, corporation, or registered partnership, that can demonstrate a minimum of $25,000 of gross farm income in Alberta.
To receive funding, applicants must meet these conditions:
- Be an active producer (includes a proprietorship, corporation, or registered partnership) that can demonstrate a minimum of $25,000 of gross farm income in Alberta.
- Work with a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) to develop a BMP Action Plan that is based on agronomic advice and identifies the cost difference from usual practices.
- The BMP Action Plan must include labelled maps of project field boundaries on air photos or images. Any method may be used.
- Complete an online application using RDAR’s Agriculture Research Grant Organizer, ARGO, that describes current practices and planned improvements.
- Read the RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement. You must agree to what is in the RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement in order to apply for funding.
- Document pre- and post-project conditions with date-stamped GPS-located photographs.
- Provide permission for post-project inspectons.
- Be headquartered in Alberta and apply funds only to lands in Alberta.
- Have a minimum eligible project cost of $2,500.
- Pay 100% of the costs upfront (no in-kind). All payments will be considered taxable income.
- Pre-approval is required to be eligible for program funding.
- Landlords whose only interest is in the land are not raising crops or livestock are ineligible.
Note: Funding is intended to increase new adoption of BMPs; farmers cannot receive funding for a BMP where it is already in use and project costs funded from sources other than OFCAF are not eligible for reimbursement. BMP implementation must be new to farm or field.
As RDAR is a producer-driven organization, RDAR Directors eligible for the OFCAF funding will be entitled to apply along with all other qualified applicants. RDAR reviews all applications in the order received, and applications from Directors will be subject to a third-party review.
OFCAF Important timelines & deadlines
| TOPIC | ACTIVITY | YEAR 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Applications | Open | February 13, 2023 |
| Applications | Close | November 30, 2023 |
| Invoices | Submitted | January 31, 2024 |
| Payments | Sent by | March 31, 2024 |
Please note that only applications submitted online through ARGO will be accepted. Fax, paper, or email applications will not be accepted.
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
- Applicants are eligible for multiple projects to a combined maximum grant payment of $75,000
- Applicants are eligible for a maximum 85% reimbursement of eligible cash expenditures across the three BMP target areas
- Applicants must pay for 100% of the upfront costs with no payment for in kind
- Applicants are required to submit invoices, showing that all payments have been received, for all eligible BMPs
- Payments will be considered taxable income
nitrogen management
Support for adoption and on-farm implementation of nitrogen (N) management BMPs as recommended
by a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA)*. Soil testing provides the foundation
for strategies to improve N use efficiency by optimizing timing, rate, placement and source to meet
crop needs, while decreasing opportunities for N losses to runoff and leaching or emissions of ammonia
or nitrous oxide.
Eligible Costs
• BMP Action Plan development, or specialized agronomic support provided by a PAg or CCA
• Costs* of increasing soil sampling intensity or
depth; soil testing; field zone mapping (if new to the field), in combination with sampling & testing for variable rate N prescription; and tissue testing*
• Cost of N fertilizer application (rental or custom)
to allow for banding, when the previous practice
was broadcast applications of N fertilizer, $15,000
maximum
• Price difference between standard N fertilizer and N
fertilizer with both nitrification and urease inhibitors
• Cost of N fertilizer application (custom or rental)**
for split in-crop as side dressed, or broadcast with a
dual N inhibitor
• Price difference between standard N fertilizer and
Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN)** $4,800
maximum
• Custom transportation and spreading costs**
of synthetic N fertilizer replacements (manure,
compost, or digestate amendments) on land where
it has not been applied in the past 10 years.
• Costs** of injecting liquid amendments on perennial
forage or annual crop land
• Seed and planting costs** (custom application or
equipment rental) to increase perennial legume
crops in annual crop rotations (seed mix must have
50% legume and be planted by September 15 to
allow adequate growth)
Ineligible Costs, Limitations and Explanations
• Fields that have been mapped for variable rate N
are not eligible for re-mapping
• Soil and tissue samples not tested using
recognized analysis protocols in accredited
laboratories
• Leased or rent-to-own equipment
• Amendments applied to native grassland
• Cost of amendments
• Cost to incorporate amendments
• Use of manure and compost that does not follow
the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA,
open.alberta.ca/publications/a07)
• Biological products e.g. inoculants
• Seeding only grass into perennial forage or into
established hay
Please note: GST is not eligible for reimbursement.
*Templates are available to identify a Nitrogen Management BMP Action Plan for Soil
Testing and Mapping; Fertilizers; and/or Amendments. Consideration of the plan for funding requires
endorsement by a PAg or CCA. The cost of the BMP Action Plan recommendation may not exceed 10% of
the total cost of all eligible BMP(s), to a maximum of $2,000 per applicant (total of 2022 + 2023).
**Eligible cost limits are listed in a summary table below.
***The minimum soil sampling depth required is 12” (30 cm). Soil analysis for nitrogen content must use
recognized analysis protocols in accredited laboratories (see: Soil Testing and Mapping Template)
COVER CROPPING
Support for adoption and on-farm implementation of new BMP activities that use regionally
appropriate cover crops to provide live growth going into winter, as recommended by a Professional
Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA)*. Cover crops protect soil from erosion, help retain
nutrients, and enhance soil health.
Eligible Costs
• Costs related to BMP Action Plan development, or specialized services provided by a PAg or CCA
• Seed costs for regional and commodity appropriate seed as recommended by a PAg or CCA
• Planting costs* (custom rates or equipment
rental)
• Cover crops underseeded with the main crop
or seeded following harvest of the main crop
by September 15, to allow sufficient time for
adequate growth prior to winter
• Full season cover crops in a rotation (e.g. nonmarketable crops that will be terminated the
following crop year so annual cropping can
resume)
• If project is to include perennial legumes
in annual crop rotations, check Nitrogen
Management – Fertilizer BMP list. If improving
pasture composition with legumes, check
Rotational Grazing BMP list
• Cover crops that will leave more than 6 inches
(15 cm) of growth over winter after harvesting or
grazing
Ineligible Costs, Limitations and Explanations
• Costs for cover crops where growing and leaving
cover crops undisturbed over winter is not new
and has been a routine practice used by the farmer
• Costs related to mechanical or chemical
termination of the cover crop
• Corn grown for grazing purposes, silage crops
without live roots
• Swath grazing of a crop (unless seeded with a
crop that will have a living root once swathed, e.g.
winter cereals, turnip, brassica)
• Annual crop regrowth
• Fertilizer and crop protection costs
• Costs related to rejuvenation of existing forages,
pastures, or hay land
• Crops that will be harvested or grazed leaving less
than 6 inches (15 cm) of cover crop growth over
winter
• Crops that can be harvested in the next growing
season intended for market (e.g. winter cereals)
• Leased or rent-to-own equipment
Please note: GST is not eligible for reimbursement.
Templates are available (see Cover Cropping template) to identify a BMP Action Plan to include
with OFCAF applications. Consideration of the Plan for funding requires endorsement by a PAg or CCA. The cost of
the BMP Action Plan recommendation may not exceed 10% of the total cost of all eligible BMP(s), to a maximum of
$2,000 per applicant (total of 2022 + 2023).
**Eligible third party custom rates are listed in the summary table listed below.
rotational grazing
Support for adoption and on-farm implementation of rotational grazing BMPs as recommended
by a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA)*. Rotational grazing strategies
improve forage quality, increase soil health and improve resilience to changing climates.
Eligible Costs
• BMP Action Plan, grazing management plans, technical assessments or engineered designs • Rotational grazing fencing materials and installation* (e.g. cross fencing, wildlife friendly fencing, temporary fencing, energizers).
• Shallow water distribution systems that are part
of a rotational grazing strategy, including shallow
water pipelines (maximum 2” (5 cm) diameter
and less than 15” (38 cm) deep), and waterers,
including remote watering systems when
powered by renewable energy
• Custom installation and equipment rental
• Costs** for seed (alfalfa, sainfoin, etc.), custom
planting or equipment rental to improve legume
composition in pastures. The seed must
include 50% legumes and be direct seeded by
September 15
• Forage testing (fall or winter)
• All costs must be part of a rotational grazing
strategy
Ineligible Costs, Limitations and Explanations
• Perimeter fences
• Maintenance or replacement of existing fences
• Smart collars for virtual fences
• Bush clearing
• Used fencing materials
• Fencing specific to wildlife management
• Texas gates
• Portable livestock corral panels
• Water systems without a rotational grazing plan
• In-yard or in-corral watering devices
• Trailers for hauling water
• Development of new water supplies such as
springs, dugouts or wells
• Deep, buried water lines
• Non-renewable power sources such as generators
• On-going maintenance
• Seeding only grass into perennial forage or to
establish hay
• Leased or rent-to-own equipment
Please note: GST is not eligible for reimbursement.
Templates are available (see Rotational Grazing template) to identify a BMP Action Plan to include
with OFCAF applications. Consideration of a BMP Action Plan for funding requires endorsement by PAg or CCA.
The cost of the BMP Action Plan recommendation may not exceed 10% of the total cost of all eligible BMP(s), to a
maximum of $2,000 per applicant (total of 2022 + 2023).
**Eligible materials and third party installation costs are listed in the summary table listed below. Applications to
install permanent features on land that is not owned must declare that they have permission from the landlord.
summary of beneficial management practice (bmp) cost limits
| BMP | Eligible Cost | Units | Notes |
| Soil testing – producer | up to $100 | $ / sample | Per field to multiple depths |
| Custom soil sample and analysis | up to $300 | $ / field | Third party sampling and analysis |
| Field zone mapping, sampling & analysis | up to $8 | $ / ac | Variable rate N prescription services |
| Switch regular N-fertilizer to ESN | $107 $.11 | $ / tonne ESN $ / lb actual N | Costs subject to change, maximum of $4,800* |
| Banding applications of N | $15 – $25 | $ / ac | Custom rates** maximum of $15,000* |
| Split applications of N | $7 – $12 | $ / ac | Custom rates** |
| Amendments | up to $75 | $ / ac | Custom rates** for transportation and spreading only |
| Drill or air seed | $20 – $30 | $ / ac | Custom rates** |
| Broadcast seeding | $7 – $12 | $ / ac | Custom rates** |
| 4 strand permanent barbed wire | $13 | $ / m | Includes materials and custom installation** |
| 2 strand permanent electric wire | $7 | $ / m | Includes materials and custom installation** |
| BMP Action Plan recommendation | up to 10% | Total cost of all eligible BMP(s) | Maximum $2,000* |
PROCESS OVERVIEW
- Applications must be submitted online via ARGO (Agriculture Research Grant Organizer), RDAR’s Grant Management system.
- To apply for funding, you must agree to the OFCAF Program Guide and the RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement. These two documents govern payment of Eligible Expenses under the Program.
- A BMP Action Plan must be recommended by a PAg or CCA and be submitted with the online application
- Applicants will receive approval for their proposed project with a pre-approved budget
- Once the project is completed, applicants are required to submit invoices for all eligible BMPs
- RDAR will review the invoice and ensure they match the approved project
- Funds will be delivered to each applicant
For successful applicants, the maximum amount of funds that can reimbursed from all government sources (federal, provincial, or municipal) is $75,000.
HOW TO APPLY
To make the OFCAF application process easy, you must use ARGO to submit all application materials online and electronically agree to the OFCAF Program Guide and the RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement.
Visit the ARGO Portal. Please create an account and register your organization (i.e. farm/ranch). Once the OFCAF Team have validated your information, you will be able to apply to the fund. 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.
have questions about the argo application process?
We’ve developed many tools to help support you in the application process:
- ARGO tutorials on how to create an account, check on your application status, and more
- Video tutorials if you:
- Frequently Asked Questions document
- Written step-by-step instructions for applying to ARGO
If you have any questions or concerns regarding submitting your application in ARGO , please contact us at ofcaf.bmp@rdar.ca.
OFCAF application and evaluation process
Thank you for submitting your application to ARGO. To check on your application status, log into ARGO and select “In Progress” under “Applications”. Next to your submission, you will see one of these statuses as your application moves through the system:
| Status | What it means |
| 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 visit rdar.ca/ofcaf to review program eligibility and requirements to ensure success. |
Please note that processing times may vary depending on how many applications are currently being reviewed. We are working as quickly and efficiently as possible to get 2023 applications reviewed. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated based on applicant and activity eligibility and feasibility.
Ensuring your application is eligible and complete will help to avoid delays.
We thank you for your patience.
Questions? We haVE answers
To help farmers and ranchers navigate the OFCAF program, we’ve answered the most common questions we’ve received so far.
want to gain or upgrade your skills in sustainable ag?
Earn industry-recognized microcredentials in Nitrogen Management, Cover Cropping, and Rotational Grazing through new climate-smart courses available at Olds College and Lakeland College.
OFCAF Webinars & tutorials
Webinars
MEET THE OFCAF TEAM
Fiona Briody,
Program Manager
Fiona brings over 20 years of experience working in the agriculture/environment field. She has developed and delivered numerous programs to Alberta farmers and ranchers including the first Ag Policy Framework beneficial management program and the Environment Farm Plan. She brings a broad range of experience working within government, the private sector and non-profit organizations including crop insurance, lending, and environment policy work (e.g. AB Water Council) as well as work on the ecosystems service framework. She was the first in Canada to get a license to grow hemp. She is a first-generation owner/operator of a black angus cow calf operation for the last 25 years. Fiona has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Alberta.
Christy Hoy,
Technical Lead
Christy grew up on a mixed farm and is passionate about agriculture. She holds a B.A. from Augustana University College in Biology and a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta in Environmental and Conservation Sciences. She has over 14 years of public service experience in crop research and collaborating with producers. Christy is excited to join RDAR and to support sustainable agriculture.
Franklin Efekalam,
Grant Administrator
Franklin is a highly motivated professional with over 5 years of experience working as an administrator in the educational and financial industry. He has a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in Statistics and a Master of Science (MSc) in Economics. Franklin recently worked with one of the top four Canadian banks as an Operations Officer, He is result-oriented and enjoys providing administrative support and value-added solutions.
Lori Duchesnay,
OFCAF Administrative Coordinator
Lori has over 25 years of administrative experience working in various roles in the natural gas utilities industry. She holds a Legal Assistant Diploma from the Career College in Calgary. Lori is an active member of the Association of Administrative Professionals, Edmonton Chapter. In the past, Lori participated in an international agricultural exchange program to New Zealand where she learned about agriculture practices down under on a dairy farm. She lives north of Edmonton in an agricultural community and cares deeply about the future of farming in Alberta.
Vishal Bhagria,
Project Accountant
Vishal is a highly motivated professional who brings a passion for success and an attitude to deliver results. He is an excellent team player and helps keep morale up during times of uncertainty. Although the agriculture industry is new to Vishal, he comes from the construction industry where the working environment is also fast paced. Vishal is excited to gain knowledge in this industry. He is passionate about seeing goals being met. Vishal graduated from NAIT with a Bachelor of Administration and is excited to join RDAR and to see the organization thrive in this growing industry.