• Qualified, third-party consultant (e.g., CCA, P.Ag.) fees to develop a written plan or technical assessment that addresses nitrogen management (e.g., crop nutrient plan, crop diversification plan, nutrient management plan), which may include the following costs:
  • Soil sampling, analysis, and mapping
  • Plant tissue sampling, analysis, and mapping
  • Manure sampling and analysis
If the application is approved, the written plan must meet minimum requirements outlined here, and a copy of the completed plan or technical assessment must be included with the claim submission. Soil and/or tissue sampling, analysis, and mapping can be applied for as a technical assessment, without being part of a crop nutrient plan, but must include testing specific to nitrogen levels.

• Costs for implementing a practice that is new to the acres being applied for related to in-field nitrogen management, as recommended in a letter of support from a CCA or P.Ag. (see Documentation required with an application), including:
  • Urease and nitrification inhibitors (must be recommended in a letter of support from a CCA or P.Ag., see Documentation required with an application)
    • Itemized invoicing will be required with the claim submission or, if the stabilizer is included in the fertilizer cost, a quote from the supplier must be provided with the claim to indicate the base cost of an equivalent, non-stabilized product and cost-share funding will apply to the cost difference)
  • Costs of split application of nitrogen fertilizer (must be recommended in a letter of support from a CCA or P.Ag., see Documentation required with an application)
    • Custom application costs for additional passes for nutrient application later in the growing season
    • May include costs for diagnostic testing used for in-season rate adjustments (i.e., drone imagery, satellite imagery, pre-side dress nitrate test, tissue testing, chlorophyll testing)
  • Use of synthetic fertilizer substitute (i.e., manure, compost, digestate), including material and custom application costs (must be recommended as in a letter of support from a CCA or P.Ag., see Documentation required with an application)
• Improved placement of nitrogen fertilizer through implementing a practice that is new to the acres being applied for, including:
  • Equipment or equipment modifications to allow banding, side-dressing, below canopy application, or injection of synthetic fertilizer
  • Equipment to achieve injection applications of manure
  Equipment must be used in 2023 to implement the eligible practice for your project to be considered complete.

• 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.
• Costs of slow-release nitrogen, including polymer-coated nitrogen.
• Lift kits to convert low clearance equipment to high clearance, unless part of a proposed project to install eligible equipment to improve in-field nitrogen management
• Costs for nitrogen management activities where the proposed practice is not new (i.e., the proposed practice has been previously used by the applicant on the acres included in the application)
• Irrigation and/or fertigation equipment
• Consulting services related to a plan or technical assessment that does not address nitrogen, and/or any plan or assessment not prepared by a qualified consultant
• Costs of nitrogen fertilizer, including registered fertilizers derived from organic materials
• Costs of biological inoculants
• Urease and nitrification inhibitors, split applications of nitrogen fertilizer, or synthetic fertilizer substitutes, if not recommended in a letter of support from a CCA or P.Ag. submitted with the application
• Costs related to synthetic fertilizer substitute application if land application occurred between December 1 and March 31, or on frozen or snow-covered ground
• Equipment that does not directly support injection applications of manure (e.g., vertical beaters, weigh scales)
• Variable rate monitors, controllers, drag line components, and/or fertilizer spreaders which are not being applied for as part of a system to support banding, side-dressing, below canopy application, or injection
• GPS components related solely to a guidance system (e.g., autosteer systems)
• Invoices 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 by the applicant’s farm business
• Materials or services purchased outside of the eligible invoice dates
• Typical farm equipment (e.g., tractors, skid steers, combines, grain carts) and related accessories or attachments (unless specified as an Eligible Activity and Cost)
• 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)

Relative to some other opportunities, OFCAF provides a higher 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.

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

• Enrolment and Application Form
• FBRN or documentation supporting an exemption or most current MPAC Assessment
• Valid and up to date Premises ID Number
• Documentation required to be submitted with the application (see Documentation Required with the Application); this may include site sketches and supporting plans/assessments

• Detailed site sketch(es) based on a satellite image (e.g., using GoogleMaps, AgMaps) of all field(s) included in the application. The site sketch(es) must show the precise location (address/GPS coordinates) and total area (acres) of the project. For an example of a site sketch, click here. A site sketch is not required if applying only for a written plan or technical assessment.

  Hand drawn sketches will not be accepted – If you need help accessing a satellite image of your project location, contact your local OSCIA Field Staff for free assistance. Click here for contact information.

• Letter of support from a qualified party (e.g., CCA, P.Ag.) supporting the application of any proposed urease or nitrification inhibitors, split applications of nitrogen and/or synthetic fertilizer substitutes (i.e., manure, compost, digestate). Click here for minimum requirements for a letter of support. A crop nutrient plan that meets the same requirements can be provided in lieu of a letter of support.

Unsure if you need to submit a plan with your application? Click here.

• If an FBRN has not been provided, please provide documentation to support an eligible FBRN exemption, income exemption, or the most current Municipal Property Assessment Notice or Municipal Tax Bill.

• If the applicant initiates the project before receiving final approval from OSCIA, they do so at the risk of forfeiting the cost-share if all terms and conditions are not satisfied.
• OSCIA issues payments after projects have been completed and required claim documentation is received. The project must be paid for in full by the applicant prior to cost-share being issued.
• All invoices for the approved project must comply with the eligible invoice dates as outlined in a letter 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 OFCAF cost-share funding from one or more farm business and/or one or more sources of OFCAF funding, towards the same project is not permitted. Stacking with other programs outside of OFCAF up to 100% of the project cost, is permitted if the other programs allow 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.
• 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 and quotes are recommended to inform 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.
• Any GHG emission reductions arising from an approved project between February 15, 2022 and March 31, 2024, shall not be used by the farmer to apply for any existing or future federal or provincial offset credit programs.
• Information presented is the best available at the time of printing. Check with OSCIA for applicable updates. Material is subject to change without notice as the cost-share program evolves.

• 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 technical assessment
• 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.)

• If any additional information must be provided (e.g., in the case of a conditional approval)
• Any costs from the application that were deemed ineligible
• Eligible invoice dates and project completion and claim submission deadlines
• What is needed to provide with the claim submission
• Instructions on how to verify participation in an eligible KSE
• Links to the necessary documents (e.g., Claim Form, Electronic Funds Transfer Form, etc.)
• Information on how to submit the claim

• Copy of front and back of cancelled cheque
• Electronic image of processed cheque
• 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 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.