• Any cost not set out as an Eligible Activity and Cost and not specifically required for the execution of a projectIf you are uncertain about the eligibility of a project or cost, contact OSCIA before applying at OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org.as supported by a Rotational Grazing Management Plan
• Perimeter/exclusion fencing and systems not mentioned as part of the rotational grazing management plan provided with the application submission
• Consulting services not related to a grazing management plan and/or costs associated with any plan not prepared by a qualified consultant
• Non-renewable power sources
• Texas gates and portable corral panels
• Costs to support grazing of cash crop residue (e.g., corn stover)
• Permanent fencing for grazing cover crops
• Costs for systems where livestock will not be grazed before the project is claimed.
• Costs for systems used solely for poultry.
• Watering systems/shade structures/pasture rejuvenation costs not associated with establishing new or expanding existing acreage of a rotational grazing system
• Stream crossings
• Watering systems installed at the barn
• Establishing a new water supply (e.g., drilling a well, digging a pond)
• Shelters and/or concrete bases for watering systems
• Animal handling equipment or animal transportation costs
• Costs of fertilizer and herbicide products
• Planting of trees and shrubs
• Proof of payment not issued in the applicant’s name
• Extended warranties, taxes, legal fees, financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees
• In-kind contributions of labour and farm equipment
• Materials or products produced on farm (e.g., posts)
• Used fencing materials
• Materials or services purchased outside the eligible invoice dates
• Replacement, repair, or maintenance of existing fencing and/or watering systems
• Typical farm equipment (e.g., tractors, skid steers, combines, livestock trailers, post hole diggers/augers, hay wagons) and related accessories or attachments
• Any cost purchased from a supplier who is not at arm’s length from the applicant (i.e., businesses owned by siblings or parents, through blood or marriage)

Other Ineligible Costs and Activities
• Normal operating costs associated with conducting or expanding a business’s current operations
• Any cost that is eligible for a rebate, credit, or refund (e.g., a refundable portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax)
• Gifts and incentives
• Equipment or equipment customizations that do not support an increase in soil carbon or a decrease in nitrogen loss
• Costs related to activities that directly influence or lobby any level of government
• Costs of basic research, ongoing activities, normal commercial expansion costs, and annual services fees of any type
• Lease of land, buildings, and facilities, or new building construction
• Costs of training and skills development that fulfill any academic requirements towards completion of a professional certificate, diploma, or degree program
• Costs of sponsorship for conferences and learning events or initiatives
• Costs of travel, hospitality, meals, and/or accommodations
• Permits and approvals
• Purchase or sale of land, buildings or facilities, and associated taxes or fees (e.g., land transfer tax)
• Tile drainage systems, crop storage facilities (e.g., grain bins, seed storage), TMR mixers, feed pushers and automated feeding systems
• Mentoring or coaching services that do not support the development of a written plan or soil and/or tissue sampling, analysis, and mapping
• Multi-use items (e.g., items that can reach beyond the scope of the project such as computers, printers, hand or power tools and attachments, etc.)

Cost-share funding is available under the OFCAF at 65% of approved, eligible costs for previous OFCAF participants. Cost-share funding is available under the OFCAF at 75% of approved, eligible costs for applicants new to OFCAF.

The maximum cost-share funding a farm business can receive under the OFCAF program, from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2028, inclusive of all approved applications under all project categories is $100,000*.

Rotational Grazing Systems has a maximum cost-share amount per project of:

65% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum cost-share payment of $30,000 per project

75% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum cost-share payment of $30,000 per project for new applicants to OFCAF

To be eligible to receive a cost-share funding allocation, the practice must be implemented (livestock rotationally grazed) on new acres before the Project Completion Date and Claim Deadline.

* This includes any funding under the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, delivered by any organization across Canada (e.g., in Ontario, funding delivered by OSCIA and by Ecocert)

OFCAF provides a high level of cost-share funding to support implementation of targeted BMPs with a goal of encouraging successful, long-term adoption. Access to knowledge and resources are key components to ensure success. Applicants must participate in an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) within the eligible Project Start and Completion dates for their approved OFCAF application and before submitting a claim for cost-share. Successful applicants must participate in a minimum of one (1) KSE for each approved project that aligns with the project’s category.

KSEs support learning and adoption of BMPs specific to addressing climate change challenges in Ontario (e.g., carbon sequestration and reducing GHG emissions). A KSE is both a learning and networking opportunity, where farmers can benefit from:

• Seeing the latest applied research
• Hearing first-hand experiences from other farmers and industry experts
• Gaining access to information networks and resources

A KSE can be a new or existing demonstration event, webinar, workshop, or conference, and may be delivered by OSCIA or by other agricultural organizations or service providers. Costs associated with attending a KSE (e.g., registration, mileage, travel, etc.) are not eligible for cost-share.

A listing of approved KSEs can be found at https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/knowledge-sharing-event-kse/

Contact OSCIA at OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org to inquire if an event that is not listed meets the OFCAF KSE requirements.

The Enrolment and Application Form and all required documentation can be submitted electronically through the OSCIA Portal:


If the intake is not currently accepting applications, you may still visit osciaportal.org to create a user account, enroll your farm business, and be ready for upcoming opportunities.

If an application is approved for a cost-share allocation, written confirmation will be provided from OSCIA by email (or by post, if no email address is provided). This approval letter will confirm:

• Any costs from the application that were deemed ineligible
• Eligible invoice dates, project completion and claim submission deadlines
• What is needed with the claim submission
• Instructions on how to verify participation in an eligible KSE
• Information on how to submit your claim using the OSCIA online Portal

Each project must be complete, fully paid for, the practice implemented on new acres, and an eligible KSE completed before a claim is submitted.

As part of an eligible project, every claimed cost must be supported by an invoice in the name of the applicant farm business. All costs being claimed must be paid for by the applicant farm business. Proof of payment must verify who paid, who received payment, the amount of payment, and the date of payment. Proof of payment may be any one of the following:

• Copy of front and back of a cancelled cheque
• Electronic image of a processed cheque
• E-Transfer confirmation, which includes the word ‘Deposited’ or ‘Autodeposited’
• Bill Payment confirmation from a banking institution
• Statement from banking institution with the applicant business name indicating to whom the processed cheque was written, or electronic payment made, and for what amount
• Credit card or debit card receipt clearly identifying the amount and to whom the payment was made. Credit card or debit card numbers and other information, including costs that are unrelated to the project, should be blacked out

Cash payments for project costs are strongly discouraged, as they may not meet requirements for proof of payment. If proof of payment is not provided, OSCIA cannot support the cost. OSCIA may request any additional information from the applicant that OSCIA deems necessary (e.g., copies of any audit reports, plans or permits obtained by the applicant in conducting the project) to support their claim.

Cost-share payments are made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) in the name of the legal farm business. All cost-share funding is considered taxable income to the farm business. OSCIA will issue a tax form (AGR-1) and report the amount paid to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA); this is why an applicant’s Social Insurance Number (SIN) is collected if the applicant does not have a CRA Business Number.