The Ontario On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) provides cost-share funding to farmers to support the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to tackle climate change through reducing emissions of GHGs and supporting increased carbon sequestration. Cost-share support to farmers is available under the project categories of nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing.Â
In Ontario, the OFCAF is delivered to farmers by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). Application intake dates are held between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2025.
Intake Open date: August 1, 2024, 9am ET
Intake Close date: November 13, 2024, 5pm ET
If you have any questions, please email: ofcaf@ontariosoilcrop.org
Â
OFCAF Good News Stories
How to Apply
1
Applications are only accepted during application intakes, which can be found in the Online Program Guide.
2
Be sure to carefully review the Online Program Guide â only eligible and complete applications will be considered.
3
The following must be included with an application submission:
Enrolment and Application Form
FBRN or documentation supporting an exemption or most current MPAC Assessment
Valid and up to date Premises ID Number
Documentation required to be submitted with the application (see Documentation required with the application in the program guide); this may include site sketches and supporting plans/assessments
Enrolment and Application Forms and all required documentation can be submitted electronically at OSCIAPortal.org, or Enrolment and Application Forms are available on the Online Program Guide and you can submit the forms and all required documentation by email to ofcaf@ontariosoilcrop.org or by post to 1-367 Woodlawn Rd. W., Guelph, ON, N1H 7K9.
Resources for Applying
The Online Program Guide provides program information, including eligibility criteria, project category information, application intake dates, Enrolment and Application Forms.
For information on what a Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) is, how to submit an event to be a KSE, how to confirm participation at a KSE, and a listing of approved KSEs.
The next intake to submit applications is January 4th to January 18th, 11:59pm ET, 2023. Farmers can apply for costâshare to support best management practices (BMPs) that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase carbon sequestration. BMPs that will be supported under the program include inâfield nitrogen management, cover cropping practices, and establishing or expanding rotational grazing systems.
Costâshare funding is available at 65% of approved project costs. Eligible costs can be incurred starting from January 1, 2023, for implementation of practices that are new to the acres being applied for.
The OFCAF program guide provides information on the upcoming intake and can be accessed at https://programguides.ontariosoilcrop.org/. Farmers who are interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to participate in a Farmer Information Session. Sessions will be delivered over the upcoming weeks both virtually and inâperson thoughâout the province. See below for dates, times and locations (for in person sessions), and how to register for a session.
To register for a virtual Information Session, email the OSCIA Field Staff for the appropriate session or email us at OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org, to request the registration link. You must register in advance to receive the link to join the session.
If you are interested in more information about an inâperson session, please email the OSCIA Field Staff for that session.
NEW! OFCAF ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS How to Apply ONLINE:
In addition to the OFCAF Farmer Information Sessions, OSCIA will be hosting online sessions that show you how to navigate the OFCAF online Program Guide and how to use the online application portal (osciaportal.org). If you want to learn more about the guide and how to complete your 2023 application online, please join us for one of the following sessions:
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions â On-Farm Climate Action Fund.Â