On-Farm Climate Action Fund Assistance
Overview of OFCAF
OFCAF is NOW OPEN for accepting applications as of March 2024!
The Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative as part of the Agricultural Climate Solutions multi-stream program offered, in part, by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada. Its purpose is to provide funding to Canadian producers to help tackle climate change.
This program provides financial support for the accelerated adoption and implementation of on-farm Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs). The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support producers in production efficiency, sustainability and resiliency in their operations. It offers various resources to support BMP implementation and provide BMP design proposals.
three core categories for funding
OFCAF Funding Application Categories
Cover Cropping
Nitrogen Management
Rotational Grazing
Eligible producers can apply for funding in either or all of the three main categories. Each of these areas requires a BMP action plan, which outlines the steps that need to be taken in each area, the equipment and materials required, and what is expected upon implementation of the plan.
For more information, check out the Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) website linked below.
professional agrologist required
Where I Can Help
OFCAF funding projects require a professional agrologist (or certified crop agronomist) to approve and sign off on your project. With my specialty in grazing management and cover cropping and in helping numerous other producers with their OFCAF applications, I’m offering my services to sit down and take a close look at your application before sending it off for approval.
The Canadian Forage Grassland Association (CFGA) offers very similar funding through OFCAF that also encourages (but not requires) an agrologist to go over your plan with you. This includes helping you build a successful grazing plan for your operation.
The application can be confusing and cumbersome, however, I am happy to help answer any questions and untangle the various exceptions and inclusions the entire process usually comes with. I am equally happy to help flesh out your grazing or cover-cropping plans and provide a second pair of eyes to help get you to where you want to go.
Please reach out to me in the following ways:
Phone:
1(780)289-9143
EMAIL:
Be sure to include your name, phone number, email address and brief details of what you are applying for.
Mentorship & Learning opportunities
Advanced Grazing Management & Cover Cropping
Farmers for Climate Solutions’ Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM) is offering free courses on each of the three focus areas mentioned above–Advanced Nitrogen Management, Cover Cropping, and Advanced Grazing Systems.
Specifically, I have both been asked and volunteered to be a mentor for both Cover Cropping and Advanced Grazing Systems courses in Alberta and British Columbia. However, courses extend to all other Canadian provinces as well, including Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island.
These, plus nitrogen management, provide a lot of resources and guidance on how to implement any of those production practices in your operation.
In working with mentors that have both the knowledge and experience in those areas, you gain a better understanding of how they apply in your context. Mentors are other experienced producers as well as agrologists who have worked with a wide variety of producers of various environments in their specific practice area.
All courses are voluntary and completely free to take at any time.
To check out what is offered for your area, visit the link below.