On-Farm Climate Action Fund

Download the FAQ about the CFGA’s OFCAF program.

Instructions on how to submit a CFGA OFCAF claim: 

1.     Watch this short video about the claims process:  

https://vimeo.com/803905090 (EN) 

2.     Fill in the claim form Here

Only include expenses you are requesting payment for in this claim. You can submit future claims for other expenses, as long as your contribution agreement end date allows this.  

3.     For each receipt, make sure it has a date, supplier name, invoice # (if applicable).  

4.     For each receipt, there must be accompanying proof of payment. Proof of payment can be an interact ticket, picture of bank/credit card statement, picture of cashed check provided by bank, etransfer ticket. Cash payments are discouraged, but if you must, it is required to complete a form as proof of payment. Contact [email protected] for this form. 

5.     For each receipt and proof of payment that has multiple items, highlight the key transactions and indicate if it’s for fencing, watering system, seeding or grazing plan development. You can blot out any information besides your name, date and the transactions of interest. 

6.     If you purchased seed, we need a photo of the seed tag or a letter from the supplier indicating you purchased common or registered seed. 

7.     Upload all documents to BixImpact, under the “Upload file for payment” section, then hit “Request Payment.” 

The clearer you can be, the faster we can process your claim. Thank you for your patience and effort. 

Applicants for the Advanced Grazing Systems program can be either individual producers, incorporated farms or partnerships in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.  To be eligible for funding, the applicant must produce a primary agricultural product with a gross income of greater than $10,000.  Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Business number (BN) will be required, and payments will be issued under the appropriate name.  The name on the application must match the corresponding farm operation that matches CRA identification. 

Applicants should be aware that a portion of all approved projects will require follow-up site visits before project payment.  

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association have worked with TrustBix, an expert developer to provide a streamlined online application process for this program. All applications will be received through this system.  

Step 1 - Create an account

1. Go to the BixIMPACT site.
2. Click on the blue button that says "register"
3. Provide your email and user name.
4. In your email, confirm your account.  In some instances, you may find the email in your junk box.  Move the email to the main folder or inbox so that you will receive important updates in your primary email.
5. Once confirmed, you should be able to log in to your account.

Step 2 - Set up your farm as an organization

To set up your farm as an organization you will need the following information:

• legal name 
• phone number
• address 
• city
• province
• postal code 
• business number
• advisor 
  *Please note that some of these fields are required and must be completed before an Organization can be registered. An Advisor will also need to be selected from the drop-down menu. 

Applications are accepted continuously until the program is fully subscribed to each province.  The status of remaining funding can be found on the CFGA website   Producers that start projects before receiving project approval will not be penalized for eligible expenses however, only costs incurred after the later of April 1st (of the current program year) or registration with the BixImpact registration system will be considered eligible.  Producers starting projects before receiving funding approval do so at their own risk. The deadline for submitting projects completed in 2022 was Feb. 15, 2023. You must submit those claims before March 31, 2023. The CFGA is now accepting applications for projects to be completed in 2023. These will be approved on a first-come basis until the program is fully subscribed. Projects approved for 2023 funding will need to be completed during the 2023 growing season and the claim submitted by Nov. 30, 2023.

According to the agreement between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and CFGA, ultimate recipients are not eligible to participate in federally regulated carbon credit markets for the life of the project (March 2024) but are allowed to participate in voluntary carbon market initiatives concurrently with the OFCAF project.

(a) the Ultimate Recipient has entitlement to all GHG emissions reductions, avoidances, or removal enhancements (“GHG Emission Reductions”) arising from the Ultimate Recipient Project;

(b) notwithstanding the Ultimate Recipient’s entitlement to all GHG Emission Reductions arising from the Ultimate Recipient Project, the Ultimate Recipient shall not make, and shall ensure that no one makes, an application to register the Ultimate Recipient Project in any existing or future federal, provincial or territorial regulatory offset credit system for GHG Emission Reductions if the GHG Emission Reductions are generated from the Ultimate Recipient Project between the earliest date at which costs incurred for the Ultimate Recipient Project are eligible for reimbursement and the completion date of the Ultimate Recipient Project; and

(c) for greater certainty, the restriction set out above does not apply to making an application to register the Ultimate Recipient Project in, or to making an application for the recognition of the GHG Emissions Reductions under, a system or program that is not a federal, provincial or territorial regulatory offset credit system.

The development of a rotational grazing plan for your farming operation is the program’s foundation and a requirement to access further funding for implementing your Advanced Rotational Grazing Plan.  By developing a rotational grazing plan, you will have a clear idea of all associated aspects of your project.

Although not required, it is recommended that producers enrol and complete the series of modules of the Advanced Grazing Systems self-paced learning as an introduction to the foundation of the advanced rotational grazing practices and theory.   Proceeding through these modules will help you create a rotational grazing plan suitable for your operation.

Producers seeking additional assistance in developing an advanced rotational grazing management plan may do so with the guidance of a grazing mentor who is a P.Ag or CCA.  CFGA has a network of mentors trained to support the development of grazing plans if you need support in finding a person to assist you. Please contact Carlene at [email protected] to find out how to access funding for one-on-one support.

Fencing is integral to the implementation of the advanced rotational grazing plan to move livestock in a timely and controlled manner to achieve the desired grazing results.  There are several options for fencing available and working with a grazing mentor and within your desired management plans the best options can be presented in your application. 

Eligible Expenses

• New fencing materials for the purpose of cross fencing can include wildlife-friendly fencing and temporary fencing. 
• Fencers/energizers and all associated electric fencing supplies (ground rods, insulators, etc) are eligible as part of new fence construction. 

Eligible In-Kind Expenses

• In-kind labour and equipment use (tractor & post pounder) are eligible and costs should come from your local/provincial published rate guide (custom & rental rate guides).

Ineligible Expenses

• Used fencing materials
• Livestock panels and Texas gates are not eligible. 
• Perimeter fences do not qualify if construction is not aligned with the grazing plan. 
• Removing or replacing old or existing fences is not an eligible project expense.
• Ongoing regular maintenance is not eligible. 

Water is essential to any grazing plan and must be carefully considered when developing an advanced rotational grazing plan. 

Eligible Expenses

• Livestock waterers and remote watering systems are eligible project costs as part of an advanced rotational grazing plan.
• Remote watering systems that use renewable energy (solar & wind) are eligible
• Wet wells, pipelines and trenching of waterlines
• Winterized remote systems that serve the purpose of watering during the summer grazing season can be eligible. 

Non-Eligible Expense

• Systems that use non-renewable energy (portable generators or gas-powered pumps) 
• Trenching of power is not eligible. 
• Trucks, trailers/ wagons and holding tanks are not eligible for funding unless incorporated into the remote water system unit.  
• Development of new water sources (bored or drilled wells and dugouts) are not an eligible expense. 

Producers are responsible for ensuring they have all required permits as they may apply to their watering system and overall advanced rotational grazing project.  It is up to producers to check with the local and provincial governments to ensure that they comply with any regulations. 

The composition of the forage in the grazing area can impact the emissions of greenhouse gases.  By improving the forage composition to low methane production forage species (such as alfalfa and sainfoin), we can benefit both grazing and the environment.  Forage species should be selected based on the recommendations of a Professional Agrologist in your area.  

Eligible Expenses

• Seed and seeding costs are eligible under the program. 
• Pastures with less than 25% legume content are eligible. If legume content is predominantly alfalfa, seed with red or white clover to avoid allelopathic effects. 
• Activities to implement low methane pastures (increased alfalfa content, high quality forage and species containing tannin, such as sainfoin) 

Eligible In-Kind Expenses

• In-kind seeding costs should be based on local/provincial published rate guides (custom & rental rate guides).   

Non-Eligible Expenses

• Fertilizer and any chemical applications are not eligible.

Conditions

• The seed must be certified or Common #1 and not contain any noxious weed seeds.
• Tags and seed documentation will need to be kept and submitted with the claim for verification.   
• Eligible projects will be paid out on the seeding attempt. 
• Ideally, the stand will be established however, even if it is not and the applicant has incurred expenses to carry out the project, those costs will be eligible. 
• The seeding project is to be documented with geo-referenced photos to show prior and post pasture conditions and the seeding operation.