RDAR On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

Amount:

$75,000.00

Type:

Grant

Description:

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. 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.

Comments on Funding:

1. Applicants are eligible for multiple projects to a combined maximum grant payment of $75,000.
2. Applicants are eligible for a maximum 85% reimbursement of eligible cash expenditures across the three BMP target areas.
3. Applicants must pay for 100% of the upfront costs with no payment for in kind.

Deadline:

Currently accepting applications

Eligibility:

Applicants must:
1. be active producers, including proprietorship, corporation, or registered partnership, that can demonstrate a minimum of $25,000 of gross farm income in Alberta;
2. meet these conditions:
a) 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.
b) 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.
c) The BMP Action Plan must include labelled maps of project field boundaries on air photos or images. Any method may be used.
d) Complete an online application using RDAR’s Agriculture Research Grant Organizer, ARGO, that describes current practices and planned improvements.
e) 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.
f) Document pre- and post-project conditions with date-stamped GPS-located photographs.
g) Provide permission for post-project inspectons.
h) Be headquartered in Alberta and apply funds only to lands in Alberta.
i) Have a minimum eligible project cost of $2,500.
j) Pay 100% of the costs upfront (no in-kind). All payments will be considered taxable income.
k) Pre-approval is required to be eligible for program funding.

l) Landlords whose only interest is in the land are not raising crops or livestock are ineligible.

Application Steps:

Applicants must:
1. review the OFCAF Program guide & the RDAR-OFCAF Sub-Contribution Agreement;
2. connect with a qualified third party (PAg/CCA) to review and approve their BMP plan;
3. create their BMP Action Plan;
4. provide aerial photos of their land;
5. submit your OFCAF application via ARGO.

Documentation Needed:

Applicants must submit a completed loan application, a BMP Plan, and additional information as requested.

Other Things to Note:

1. RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research) enables Alberta producers to determine priorities and lead agriculture research. By collaborating with scientists and researchers, RADR taps into existing talent and funds ideas generated by innovators to push the boundaries of Alberta’s agriculture potential.
2. Deadline: The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is now accepting applications for 2024.
3. Applicants are required to submit invoices, showing that all payments have been received, for all eligible BMPs. Payments will be considered taxable income.

Maurice

About the author

Maurice

Maurice (Moe) Muise learned the ins-and-outs of government while an employee of the Government of Canada in Ottawa for 10 years. His current focus is helping small businesses in Canada to identify and maximize funding to grow their business.

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