Farm businesses that file farm business taxes in Ontario as demonstrated by:
• A valid farm business registration number (FBRN)For information on registering a farm business and/or a religious exemption, visit Overview (agricorp.com). .
  
  OR
  
• A Religious Exemption Letter provided by the OMAFRA Appeal Tribunal (provide with application submission).
  
  OR
  
• A Cultural Exemption Letter provided by the First Nations Agriculture & Finance Ontario (FNAFO), formerly known as the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario to First Nations farmers, verifying the farm business operates in a First Nations community (provide with application submission).
  
  OR
  
• An income exemption from the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program (i.e., Start-up farm businesses, Business structure change, Not a normal production year, Age/Illness/Death of a spouse) (provide with application submission).
Applicants must:
• Have a verified, 4^th or 5^th Edition Environmental Farm Plan; and,
• Be in compliance with all requirements of the law and must remain in compliance for the duration of the project.

• Consultant services of a third-party professional engineer, energy auditor or qualified technical service provider to complete a detailed energy audit and provide a written report summarizing the findings for each of the audit components described in the Detailed Energy Audit Level 2 minimum requirements.
  The Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2) written report must meet the minimum requirements outlined here, and a copy of the completed report must be included with the claim submission.
• Consultant services may include, but are not limited to:
  • Audit preparation
  • Farm survey and inspection, and energy use monitoring
  • Thermal imaging
  • Data analysis
  • Documenting outcomes
  • Development of recommendations and plans
  • Consultations of energy systems/improvements
  • Review of audit with producer/farm owner
• Energy monitoring equipment purchase by the agricultural producer and/or installation costs (electricity and thermal energy monitoring).

Multi-year projects under the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative:
• If you are undertaking a project requires certain conditions to complete (e.g., weather, production cycles, longer timelines, etc.) there is potential to propose project costs across two program years (costs incurred before and after the claim deadline for the current 2025-2026 program year). This would be considered a multi-year application.
  Program years are:
  • 2025-2026: Project costs proposed between the eligible project start date indicated in the application approval letter to February 15, 2026. If approved, costs must be incurred, invoiced and paid, and claimed by February 15, 2026.
  • 2026-2027: Project costs proposed between February 16, 2026, to December 1, 2026. If approved, costs must be incurred, invoiced and paid within these dates, and claimed by December 1, 2026.
• If submitting a multi-year application, ensure that project costs proposed on the application form align with program year that project costs will be incurred, invoiced, and paid.
• For approved multi-year projects, one (1) claim must be submitted in each program year that project costs were proposed, and a cost-share allocation approved.
• The project must be completed and fully paid for by the 2026-2027 claim deadline of December 1, 2026.
• If you have questions about project timelines, claim submission dates or submitting a multi-year application, contact OSCIA at s-cap@ontariosoilcrop.org.

• Consultant/qualified expert services not directly related to a farm energy audit.
• Preparation of assessments of energy use not directly related to the farm production, including assessment of energy use associated with home/residence (permanent or temporary) on the farm property or non-agricultural activities on the farm property.
• In-kind contributions.

Other Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Normal operating costs associated with conducting or expanding a business’s current operations, including annual service fees of any type
• Any cost that is eligible for a rebate, credit, or refund (e.g., a refundable portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax).
• Gifts and incentives.
• Costs of travel, hospitality, meals, and/or accommodations.
• Permits and approvals.
• Purchase, lease, construction or sale of land, buildings or facilities, and associated taxes or fees (e.g., land transfer tax).
• Extended warranties, taxes, legal fees, financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees.
• Materials or products produced by the applicant’s farm business.
• Invoices and/or payments not issued in the approved applicant’s name.
• Materials or services purchased outside of the eligible invoice dates indicated in the application approval letter.
• Any cost purchased from a supplier who is not at arm’s length from the applicant (i.e., businesses owned the same individual(s), or by siblings or parents, through blood or marriage).

50% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $20,000 per project application

A Farm Business may submit one (1) application per intake to the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative. Applications will be reviewed once the intake closes.

The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative is a merit-based program. Complete applications that meet eligibility criteria are assessed using Merit Assessment Criteria, which are specific to each Project Category. A merit-based application review process is used to allocate cost-share funds to projects.

The Merit Assessment Criteria for Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2) are:
• Project addresses risk identified in the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Action Plan.
• Project supports understanding farm energy use and planning improvements to reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency.
• Project addresses the main components of a detailed energy audit outlined in the program guide.

• Certificate of completion for a 4^th or 5^th Edition Environmental Farm Plan.
• In the Project Description area of the application form, include a brief description of the farm operation and details around the primary goals for conducting a detailed energy audit including what the information provided as part of the audit is anticipated to allow for at the farm, and how the assessment will help address risk(s) that may have been identified in the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Action Plan.

Applications are evaluated based only on the information submitted. If required documentation is not received with the submission, the application may be considered incomplete and will not be assessed.

Applications are only accepted during the application intakes dates noted above. Before applying, be sure to carefully review the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative program guide details in its entirety. Before you can apply, you will need to visit osciaportal.org and create a user account. Once you have created a user account, if the intake is open, you will be able to enrol and submit an application.

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 and be ready for upcoming opportunities.

Applicants to the Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2) project category will receive notification by email of the outcome of their application approximately 25 business days after the application intake closes.

• The eligible start date for your project is the date specified on the approval or partial approval letter issued by OSCIA for each successful application. Projects cannot be started before that date. Eligible costs can only be incurred, invoiced, and/or paid by the applicant on or after the date specified on the approval or partial approval notification.
• Deposits that are fully refundable, made by the applicant before the eligible start date to secure goods or services needed to complete the project, with the balance payable after the eligible project start date, may be eligible. The claimed invoice must be dated within the eligible timelines indicated in the approval or partial approval notification and must not indicate the deposit as non-refundable. If the invoice does not clearly indicate the payment as a deposit, or if the deposit is non-refundable, the amount is ineligible for cost-share. Any deposit or payment made prior to April 1, 2023, is not eligible under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) program.
• OSCIA issues payments after projects have been completed and required claim documentation is received. The project must be paid for in full by the approved applicant prior to cost-share being issued.
• All invoices for the approved project must comply with the eligible invoice dates as outlined in the notification of approval issued by OSCIA for the proposed project. OSCIA cannot issue cost-share payments for incomplete or partially complete projects.
• Applicants are responsible for securing all necessary approvals and permits for the proposed project before starting and complying with all applicable municipal bylaws and provincial or federal regulations. OSCIA may require copies of permits obtained for some projects before issuing cost-share payments.
• OSCIA reserves the right to require additional documentation and ultimately accept or reject submitted project invoices and proof of payment for cost-share consideration.
• Stacking of Sustainable CAP cost-share funding from one or more business and/or one or more sources of Sustainable CAP funding, towards the same project (i.e., same activity) is not permitted. Stacking with other programs outside of Sustainable CAP up to 100% of the project cost, is permitted if the other program allows stacking and at least 15% of the project costs come from non-government sources. All funding for a project from additional off-farm sources, excluding financing, must be listed on the claim form for an approved project.
• Activities funded under Sustainable CAP, Agricultural Stewardship Initiative will not be entitled to carbon credits/greenhouse (GHG) offsets during implementation in the year funding is received, after which, applicants may be eligible for Federal and Provincial GHG offset systems as applicable.
• A cost-share allocation is based on the eligible project costs outlined on the approved Application Form. Accurate estimates to the best of the applicant’s ability must be reflected in the total project cost submitted on the Application Form. Quotes are strongly encouraged to support all proposed project costs. If final project costs exceed the original estimate or the scope of the project changes, there is no obligation by OSCIA to extend cost-share beyond the original allocation and/or project scope.
• All goods and services must be purchased from an entity that is at arm’s length from the farm business. An entity is considered arm’s length if they are not related, not affiliated persons or otherwise controlled by another member or members. Parent/child and siblings, through blood or marriage, or businesses owned by the same individual(s) are not considered arm’s length. Refer to Section 251 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) for the additional detail on determining arm’s length relationships.
• Projects that have received cost-share funding are routinely inspected. The decision to inspect may be based on project type, project value, or any other criteria selected by OSCIA. Projects may also be inspected randomly. Inspections are carried out before the claim is paid. Biosecurity protocols are followed by all representatives of OSCIA.
• Information presented is the best available at the current time. In the event of a conflict between anything set out in this program guide and/or any other program material and the Minister’s Order, the Minister’s Order will prevail. Errors and Omissions Excepted. Check with OSCIA for applicable updates. Material is subject to change without notice as the cost-share program evolves.

• 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
• Information on how to submit your claim using the OSCIA Portal

• 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 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.

If you have any questions, please contact OSCIA at s-cap@ontariosoilcrop.org.