To be eligible to for funding under Intake 4, the applicant farm business must have paid an increased amount for nitrogen fertilizer purchased or received between March 2, 2022, and June 30, 2022, and be able to confirm this through supporting documentation if requested (e.g., invoices).

To be eligible for funding, the proposed practice must be new to the acres proposed in the application
• Soil sampling, analysis, and mapping costs*, including fees for a third-party Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) or Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) to develop a written plan that addresses nitrogen management (e.g., crop nutrient plan, crop diversification plan, nutrient management plan). Eligible costs, up to a maximum of $20,000 in cost-share funding may include:
  • Soil sampling, analysis, and mapping
  • Plant tissue sampling, analysis, and mapping
  • Manure sampling and analysis
  • 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
  • Development of a written Crop Nutrient Plan that meets the program minimum requirements outlined here. A copy of the completed plan is required as part of the claim submission
  • *If you are not submitting a separate application for the implementation of a new nitrogen management practice, then sampling, analysis, and mapping activities cannot be submitted as standalone costs. In this case, you must submit a completed Crop Nutrient Plan that meets the program’s minimum requirements. A copy of the completed plan is required as part of the claim submission.
  To qualify for funding, all planning, and/or sampling, analysis, and mapping activities must either:
  • Demonstrate a fertilizer rate reduction
               OR
  • Be accompanied by an application for the implementation of a new, eligible nitrogen management practice on new acres, e.g., first time use of synthetic fertilizer substitutes, split application, use of dual action nitrogen stabilizers, etc.
• Costs for implementing a practice that is new to the acres proposed in the application, 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:
  • Use of dual action nitrogen stabilizers (both urease and nitrification inhibitors) that follow the provided recommendations. Eligible projects must include both urease and nitrification inhibitors, either in one dual mechanism product, or two separate single-mechanism products applied to the same field(s) together.
  • Split application of nitrogen fertilizer that follows the provided recommendations, including:
    • Custom application costs for additional passes for nutrient application later in the growing season
  • Cost of fertilizer application equipment and/or equipment modifications to support banding, side dressing or below canopy applications, and injection
    • If applicable, costs for equipment use and the associated fuel and labour required for the fertilizer application. Costs must be in line with local custom rates Estimated costs must be provided on the application form. Costs should align with local custom farm work rates. To estimate costs, please refer to the custom farm work rate calculator available on the OMAFA website or through the Ontario Professional Agri-Contractors Association.
  • Use of synthetic fertilizer substitutes including compost, digestate, or manure that follows the provided recommendations, including:
    • Material cost and custom application costs
    • Equipment and/or equipment modifications to support injection of manure on new acres, including costs for using equipment and the associated fuel and labour required for manure injection on new acres
    • If manure is spread, incorporation is required. Costs for using equipment and the associated fuel and labour required for a single incorporation pass on new acres
    • Costs must be in line with local custom rates Estimated costs must be provided on the application form. Costs should align with local custom farm work rates. To estimate costs, please refer to the custom farm work rate calculator available on the OMAFA website or through the Ontario Professional Agri-Contractors Association.
  A note on equipment purchases under Nitrogen Management:
  • Any equipment supported must be used to implement the eligible new practice on new acres BEFORE the Project Implementation Date of June 30, 2026.
  • A farm business is limited to a maximum of $30,000 in cost-share funding for Nitrogen Management equipment purchases and/or equipment modifications to support eligible new practices across all approved applications under the OFCAF program inclusive of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2028
  Important notes on project implementation timelines for this intake:
  • Eligible project costs may be incurred, invoiced, and paid for by the approved farm business on or after February 1, 2025, and must be claimed by no later than March 15, 2026. Costs incurred, invoiced and/or paid for before February 1, 2025, or after March 15, 2026, will not be eligible for cost-share.
  • Implementation of the proposed project as a new field based practice cannot have occurred before April 1, 2025, and must be completed by no later than June 30, 2026, to qualify for funding.
  • When completing an application, the date (month and year) that implementation of the new field based practice will occur/occurred must be provided in the project description, and project workplan sections of the application form.
  • For projects where the implementation of the new field based practice will be completed after the March 15, 2026 claim deadline but before June 30, 2026, written confirmation and photographs documenting the completed project must be submitted to OSCIA from the approved farm business. It is acknowledged that OSCIA may also inspect projects to confirm project completion.
  • Multi-year projects will not be supported.

• Any cost not set out as an Eligible Activities and Costs 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 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), unless proposed as a multi-year project.
• Consulting services related to a plan or for soil and/or tissue sampling, analysis, and mapping that does not address nitrogen, and/or any plan or assessment not prepared by a qualified consultant
• Nitrogen fertilizer, including polymer-coated nitrogen and any registered fertilizers derived from organic materials
• Biological inoculants
• Single action nitrogen stabilizers used alone that are not both a nitrification and urease inhibitor (products that are only a urease inhibitor or a nitrification inhibitor)
• Dual action nitrogen stabilizers, 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
• Equipment that does not result in injection applications of manure (e.g., vertical beaters, weigh scales)
• Equipment used to apply manure if the manure is not incorporated after application (e.g., dribble bars)
• Irrigation and/or fertigation equipment
• Broadcast spreaders
• 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 *please refer to the limitations of equipment purchases under OFCAF in the section Eligible Activities and Costs
• Equipment to solely support variable rate application, including 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 and/or 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 by the applicant’s farm business
• Materials or services purchased outside of the eligible invoice dates outlined in the letter of approval
• 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)

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. 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 application under all project categories is $100,000*.

Nitrogen Management has a maximum cost-share amount per project of 65% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum cost-share amount of $30,000.
• For soil testing, mapping, analysis and planning activities, the maximum funding a farm business can receive is $20,000 inclusive of April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. To qualify for funding, all planning, and/or sampling, analysis, and mapping activities must be accompanied by an application for the implementation of a new, eligible nitrogen management practice on new acres, e.g., first time use of synthetic fertilizer substitutes, split application, use of dual action nitrogen stabilizers, etc.
• A farm business is limited to a maximum of $30,000 in cost-share funding for equipment purchases and/or equipment modifications across all approved nitrogen management applications under the OFCAF program inclusive of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2028
• To be eligible to receive a cost-share funding payment, the approved project must be implemented on new acres, and the farm business must have participated in an eligible Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) before the Project Completion Date and Claim Deadline indicated in their approval notice

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 a minimum of one (1), OSCIA-recognized, Nitrogen Management, Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for each approved Nitrogen Management OFCAF application, 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

• Detailed site map(s) based on a satellite image (e.g., using Google Maps, Ag Maps) of all field(s) included in the application. The site map(s) must show the precise location (address/GPS coordinates) and total area (acres) of the project. For an example of a site map, click here.
  
  Hand drawn sketches will not be accepted. If you need help accessing a satellite image of your project location, contact your local OSCIA Field Representative for assistance. Click here for contact information.


• Letter of support from a qualified, third-party (e.g., CCA, P.Ag.) supporting the application of any proposed dual action nitrogen stabilizers (both urease and nitrification inhibitor), split applications of nitrogen and/or synthetic fertilizer substitutes (i.e., manure, compost, digestate) projects.
  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.
  
  A letter of support is not required for written plan development, soil/plant tissue/manure sampling, analysis or mapping. All other Nitrogen Management project types require a letter of support.
• 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, in the name of the farm business that is applying.

• 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 all required claim documentation is received. The project must be paid for in full by the applicant and the approved practice(s) must be implemented on new acres prior to cost-share being issued.
• All invoices for the approved project must comply with the eligible invoice dates outlined in a letter of approval issued by OSCIA for the proposed project. OSCIA cannot issue cost-share payments for incomplete 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 of OFCAF cost-share funding with other programs outside of OFCAF up to 100% of the project cost, is permitted if the other program(s) allow stacking and at least 15% of the project costs come from non-government sources. All funding for a project from 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, 2028, 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 publishing. 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
• Instructions on how to verify participation in an eligible KSE
• Information on how to submit your claim using the OSCIA online 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.