On-Farm Climate Action Fund for Nova Scotia
On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative to help farmers improve soil health, protect soil from erosion, and tackle climate change by adopting beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases. The program offers funding to help farmers implement nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing practices.
Offered by Perennia Agriculture and Food Inc.
Amount
Farms and co-operatives, maximum by gross farming income: Under $10,000: $10,000; $10,000 - $49,999: $25,000; $50,000 - $99,999: $50,000; $100,000 - $249,999: $75,000; $250,000 or more: $100,000. Non-profit agricultural industry associations and community pastures: $75,000 (first time), up to $100,000 if previously funded. Eligible costs cost shared 85:15 (program:applicant)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Applicants must be farmers
About the funding
The program offers funding to help farmers implement nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing practices. In addition, the OFCAF program supports professional training for farmers, agronomists, and certified crop advisers
The program provides financial assistance through project-based payments or per-acre payments. The maximum funding amount is the most an applicant may receive for the sum of all projects over the whole six-year program, which began in 2022 and ends March 31, 2028. Parent companies and subsidiaries count as a single recipient. Nitrogen management equipment purchases are limited to no more than $30,000 per producer or 85% of purchase cost, whichever is lower. Cover cropping equipment is capped at $30,000 per producer for the duration of the program and funded at no more than 50% of purchase cost. Seeding costs are funded at a flat rate of $100 per acre and paid out at 85%. 3-year N-based Nutrient Management Plans are funded at $1,500 for the first 100 acres plus $10 per additional acre, at 75% of actual costs, to a maximum of $4,000 per recipient over the full program. 1-year N-based Fertility Plans are funded at $500 for the first 100 acres plus $5 per additional acre, at 75% of actual costs, to a maximum of $2,000 per recipient per year. Soil testing and mapping costs cannot exceed $20,000 combined. OFCAF contributions are taxable income.
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