ON-FARM CLIMATE ACTION FUND The new On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) cost-share is now open to eligible Ontario farmers. Cost-share funding is available at 65 per cent of approved project costs. Project categories and eligible projects include: Cover cropping — cost-share funding 65 per cent up to $20,000 for farmers who want to undertake a new practice on their farm to support the planting of cover crops left undisturbed over the winter. Nitrogen management — cost-share funding 65 per cent up to $30,000 for farmers who want to implement a new practice within their fieldbased nitrogen management activities. Rotational grazing practices — cost-share funding 65 per cent up to $20,000 for farmers who want to implement new fencing and livestock watering system infrastructure to establish or expand rotational grazing systems. For more information, visit www.ontariosoilcrop.org. 24 AGRICULTURE IS Aleading sector in employing practices and measures to manage our air, soil and water — and now, growers can tap into the new On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) cost-share program to enhance their on-farm efforts to mitigate climate change. The new program is part of the Government of Canada's Agricultural Climate Solutions initiative and was first announced in the 2021 federal budget with an allocation of $200 million to help farmers tackle climate change. Ontario's portion of the budget — $25 million — will be administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). "When it comes to caring for our climate and environment, Ontario farmers have been adopting and following recommended best practices for years," says Warren Schneckenburger, president of OSCIA. "This new program can help capitalize and expand on their efforts and practices to manage climate change." Under OFCAF, farmers can apply for costshare funds (65 per cent of approved project costs) to support best management practices Agricultural climate solutions NEW COST-SHARE PROGRAM FOR ONTARIO PRODUCERS Jeanine Moyer (BMPs) that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Adopting these BMPs will also benefit farmers as they invest in their farm's soil health to improve long-term productivity, profitability, and sustainability. Specific BMPs supported under the program include in-field nitrogen management, cover cropping practices, and establishing or expanding rotational grazing systems. Since the program was first announced in February 2022, OFCAF will accept retroactive eligible costs for implementing new practices incurred from February 15, 2022. Barb Caswell, senior operations coordinator with OSCIA, says eligible BMPs meet the Government of Canada's climate change objectives. These include trying nitrogen Industry News
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