NBSCIA
Enhancing Soil & Crop
Sustainability in New Brunswick
OFCAF Program
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative to help farmers tackle climate change. The Fund is part of the Government of Canada's Agricultural Climate Solutions initiative, which falls under the $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund, a program managed by Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The objective of the Fund is to support farmers in adopting beneficial management practices (BMPs) that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases, specifically in the areas of:
- nitrogen management
- cover cropping
- rotational grazing practices
These practices also provide other environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity and soil health.
Other activities to support the adoption of beneficial management practices, such as outreach, education and training are supported.
One must register to be able to make an application using the forms below. If you do not have a RAP # you can register by clicking here.
OFCAF 2-21 Program Guidelines
Descriptions of eligible and ineligible BMP elements and activities are available in the Program Guidelines document.
ACS-OFCAF 2-21 Program Assistance
Financial contributions will be provided for the following. Additional conditions apply.
A. Nitrogen Management
• 85% up to $5,000 for a 3 year and 85% up to $2,500 for a 1-year N based nutrient management plan including crop diversification plans to increase legumes and pulses in rotation; engineering or technical design work by a qualified professional;
• 85% up to $20,000 combined for geo-referenced soil testing and soil mapping;
• 85% of price difference between regular nitrogen fertilizer and nitrification and urease inhibitors
• 85% of price difference between regular fertilizer and polymer coated urea (PCU);
• 85% up to $18,00 per acre for split application of fertilizer with reduced rate as a result of increased crop use efficiency;
• 85% up to $100 per acre offsetting the use of soil organic amendments and synthetic fertilizer substitutes (manure/solid manure, compost, digestates);
• 85% of cost of fertilizer application equipment and equipment upgrades to a maximum of $30,000, to allow for split application, banding, side dressing, injection and must support the adoption of an additional specific nitrogen BMP;
• 85% up to $90.00 per acre for purchasing legume seed from registered dealers listed by NBSCIA seeded prior to Aug 15 and 85% of planting cost (tillage and seeding) to increase legumes in rotation up to $130.00 per acre in rotations to account for N credit from legumes in subsequent crop
B. Cover Cropping
• 85% up to $3,000 for professional service costs related to planning and technical assessments when needed (e.g. agronomic services)
• 85% up to $90.00 per acre for cover crop seed of annual or perennial species for purchasing certified or common seed of recommended cover crop species from registered dealers listed by NBSCIA, if a legume is included in the cover crop mix, the mix must be seeded prior to Aug 15. Plus 85% of planting cost (tillage and seeding) at NBSCIA recommended work rates up to $130.00 per acre.
C. Rotational Grazing
• 85% up to $3,000 for grazing management plans;
• 85% up to $5,000 for planning, technical assessments or engineered designs (e.g., rotational grazing plan, engineering or technical design work by a qualified professional);
• Up to 85% for new fencing and renewable powered livestock watering systems infrastructure to strengthen rotational grazing system;
• 85% of the cost for purchasing certified or common seed of recommended legume and grass pasture mixtures from registered dealers listed by NBSCIA seeded prior to Aug 15 in a rotational pasture and 85% of cost for no-till or frost seeding for improved pasture composition (increased alfalfa content, high quality forage and species containing tannin, such as sainfoin); and other activities related to the adoption of short duration grazing supported by a pasture management plan
OFCAF Registration
The first step is to register as a New Brunswick agricultural producer to receive appropriate application forms. Registration requires a NBRAP number. If you do not have a NBRAP # you can register by clicking here.
NOTE: Adobe Reader is required to submit the form electronically. If you do not currently have Adobe Reader installed, it can be downloaded by clicking here.
After completing the form and clicking the submit button (at the top of the form) and if it does not seem to do anything, save the pdf to a known location on your computer. Open an email to ofcaf.facf@nbscia.ca, attach the OFCAF Registration pdf and send.
Detailed outlines of required information for project BMP elements and cost estimates.
Applications will be accepted from April 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025 for projects funded in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.
Applications will be accepted from January 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026 for projects funded in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
Applications will be accepted from January 1, 2027 to August 31, 2027 for projects funded in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2028.
OFCAF 2-21 Application Guidelines
OFCAF Education Bursary
Through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) agrologists, certified crop advisors and farmers (with a Registered Professional Agricultural Producers number) residing in New Brunswick are eligible to receive 70% up to $5,000 of eligible expenses for the purpose of attending an educational conference or course outside of New Brunswick.
