Programs – Page 2 – OSCIA-Delivered Program Guides

Forage Harvest Management (delayed haying)

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

Flat rate of $40/acre

Not Accepting Applications

Grassland birds are particularly vulnerable while they nest between early May through to mid-July. Many managed Ontario grasslands (hay fields) are harvested at least once in that time frame, which is devastating to young grassland birds. Delaying the first cut of hay until July 15 or later allows grassland birds time to fledge the nest, greatly increasing survival rates.

Forage Harvest Management (delayed haying)

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

Flat rate of $40/acre

Not Accepting Applications

Grassland Restoration

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

50% of Eligible Project Implementation Costs

Not Accepting Applications

Agricultural grasslands include hayfields and pasture composed of tame or native species that provide critical breeding habitat for Henslow’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark and Loggerhead Shrike. This BMP provides an opportunity to restore agricultural land to permanent grassland.

Grassland Restoration

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

50% of Eligible Project Implementation Costs

Not Accepting Applications

Grasslands

Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program

Cost–share funding percentage is determined by selection of a competitive bid submitted by the applicant, up to a maximum cost–share payment of $40,000 per project.

There is no limit to the proposed costs of an application, but the maximum bid is $40,000.00 per project.

Not Accepting Applications

Funding through the Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program (NSCRP, or “Nature Smart”) supports two separate types of projects, conserving existing grasslands OR establishing new grasslands. Grasslands directly support nature–based solutions to store and capture carbon, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and contribute to biodiversity.

Conservation grassland projects under the Nature Smart program are anchored on an existing grassland – they represent protection and enhancement of the grassland to maintain and increase carbon storage and sequestration.

Projects to support grassland restoration under the Nature Smart program pertain to the establishment of a new grassland on agricultural land which would be suitable to grasses, but where there are currently no grasses or where grasses or other vegetation are currently harvested or grazed.

A single project cannot include both conservation of existing grassland and restoration of new grasslands – these would be separate projects. Conserved or restored grassland projects cannot be used for agricultural production, harvesting or grazing.

Grasslands

Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program

Not Accepting Applications

Habitat Structures and Enhancements

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Purchase, construction and installation of species-speciﬁc habitat structures and enhancements to natural habitat for speciﬁc Species at Risk.

Habitat Structures and Enhancements

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Purchase, construction and installation of species-speciﬁc habitat structures and enhancements to natural habitat for speciﬁc Species at Risk.

Honey Bee Health Initiative

50% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $25,000 per registered commercial beekeeper and $4,500 per registered hobbyist beekeeper

Not Accepting Applications

To help support beekeepers in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow their number of colonies to increase the sustainability of the beekeeping industry in Ontario.

Honey Bee Health Initiative

50% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $25,000 per registered commercial beekeeper and $4,500 per registered hobbyist beekeeper

Not Accepting Applications

To help support beekeepers in maintaining healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow their number of colonies to increase the sustainability of the beekeeping industry in Ontario.

Improved Stream Crossings

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Improving stream crossings for livestock or equipment when enhancing or replacing an existing crossing.

Improved Stream Crossings

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Improving stream crossings for livestock or equipment when enhancing or replacing an existing crossing.

Invasive Plant Species Control

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Implementation of Best Management Practices to control invasive plantInvasive species are non-native species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy , or society.species.

Invasive Plant Species Control

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Larger-Scale Energy Efficiency Improvements

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

35% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $90,000 per project application

Not Accepting Applications

For producers seeking to implement one of the recommended energy efficiency improvements identified through a previously completed energy audit (similar to the Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2) or equivalent) that results in a reduction in the use of electrical energy or fossil fuels that supports enhanced on-farm energy use efficiency.

Energy efficiency improvements must demonstrate an overall energy savings:

Reduction in electricity use (lower annual kWh usage); and/or
Reduction in fossil fuel use (lower annual fuel usage; shown as kWh equivalent).

Eligible projects are limited to those that replace current activities/technologies/materials that result in reduced energy usage. The program does not provide financial support for equipment purchases related to expansions that result in an overall increased energy use.

Eligible activities are limited to those that are directly related to farm production and excludes energy efficiency measures for homes/residences (permanent or temporary) or non-agricultural activities on the farm property.

Applications must be supported by a previously completed energy audit that meets the minimum requirements as outlined for a Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2), available here. The completed energy audit must have been prepared within the last 3 years and must have been prepared by a qualified third-party consultant/engineer/energy auditor.

Larger-Scale Energy Efficiency Improvements

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

35% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $90,000 per project application

Not Accepting Applications

Reduction in electricity use (lower annual kWh usage); and/or
Reduction in fossil fuel use (lower annual fuel usage; shown as kWh equivalent).

Maple Production Improvement Initiative

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

Not Accepting Applications

To support maple syrup producer productivity, efficiency and growth in Ontario, through funding for equipment and woodlot management.

Maple Production Improvement Initiative

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

Not Accepting Applications

To support maple syrup producer productivity, efficiency and growth in Ontario, through funding for equipment and woodlot management.

Native Grassland Planting

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Native grassland restoration (includes native prairie and savannah), including establishment along the water’s edge or in upland areas.

Native Grassland Planting

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Native grassland restoration (includes native prairie and savannah), including establishment along the water’s edge or in upland areas.

Native Tree Planting

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Planting of native trees or shrubs in areas where the chosen tree species will not prove harmful to Species at Risk (SAR). Types of supported tree planting projects are: reforestation (block tree planting), tree windbreaks, or buffer strips.

Native Tree Planting

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Indirect Benefits to SAR – up to $15,000;
Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Natural Grassland Establishment

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

$1,000/acre for rejuvenating existing grasslands to support diverse, multi-species native perennial grassland

$3,000/acre for establishing diverse, multi-species native perennial grasslands on marginal and high-risk annual croplands

Accepting Applications

RALP funding supports the costs associated with the establishment and long-term maintenance of native perennial grasslands on marginal/lower productivity agricultural landscapes in Ontario. A grassland is dominated by grasses rather than by trees, as in a forest. Growing with the grasses are many other kinds of non-grassy herbaceous plants known by the collective name of “forbs”. On moist soils, prairie blends into marshlands dominated by sedges rather than grasses (adapted from Tallgrass Ontario).

Native grasslands result in more resilient agricultural landscapes with an increased ability to sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce soil erosion, and provide many other ecological benefits. Native grasslands are often best suited to wet, sloping, poor-soil, or otherwise marginal fields.

Natural Grassland Establishment

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Accepting Applications

Nitrogen Management

Core BMPs

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 applicants new to OFCAF

Upcoming

For farmers who want to implement a practice that is new to the acres being applied for, within their field-based nitrogen management activities. A new practice is one that has not been previously implemented by the applicant on the acres included in the application.

Nitrogen Management

Core BMPs

Upcoming

Nutrient Application Equipment Modifications

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

30% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $15,000 per project application

40% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $20,000 per project application with an eligible, completed Farmland Health Check-Up and proposed project located within the Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair watersheds

Not Accepting Applications

For producers who require equipment upgrades for effective and responsible nutrient application to minimize environmental risk and support efficient plant nutrient uptake.

Nutrient Application Equipment Modifications

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Not Accepting Applications

For producers who require equipment upgrades for effective and responsible nutrient application to minimize environmental risk and support efficient plant nutrient uptake.

Nutrient Management and Soil Health Planning

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

40% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $10,000 per project application

50% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $15,000 per project application with an eligible, completed Farmland Health Check-Up and proposed project located within the Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair watersheds

Not Accepting Applications

For producers who need to develop a first-time plan for improving nutrient management and soil health.

Nutrient Management and Soil Health Planning

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Not Accepting Applications

For producers who need to develop a first-time plan for improving nutrient management and soil health.

OFCAF Knowledge Sharing Event

Knowledge Sharing Event Partnership

100% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $10,000 per project application

Upcoming

The Ontario On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) provides cost-share funding and supports educational opportunities for farmers to support the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to tackle climate change through reducing emissions of GHGs and supporting increased carbon sequestration. Cost-share support to farmers has been made available under the project categories of nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing. As a part of the program, the objective of knowledge translation and transfer activities is to drive first time adoption and promote ongoing adoption, by sharing with and demonstrating to farmers the implementation considerations and positive impacts of OFCAF BMPs.

As part of a new opportunity offered under the OFCAF Expansion Phase, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is pleased to offer funding to support third party delivery to develop, administer and deliver or provide resources of Knowledge Sharing Events (KSEs) to educate farmers in the successful implementation and long-term adoption of all three eligible BMP areas.

A KSE is a networking opportunity where farmers benefit from the latest research, first-hand experience from their peers and industry experts, and access to information networks or resources supporting long-term implementation of BMPs specific to address climate change challenges. Participation in a KSE is a requirement for approved OFCAF applicants to claim their cost-share funding.

OFCAF Knowledge Sharing Event

Knowledge Sharing Event Partnership

100% cost-share funding up to a maximum of $10,000 per project application

Upcoming

Other Specific Species at Risk Habitat Improvement Projects

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

SAR Habitat improvement projects that do not fit other eligible Best Management Practices but directly benefit SAR identified in in your Habitat Self Assessment.

Do you have an idea for a SAR habitat project that does not ﬁt the Best Management Practices listed in the online program guide? Contact OSCIA directly by emailing SARFIP@ontariosoilcrop.org to discuss your project before applying.

Other Specific Species at Risk Habitat Improvement Projects

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Direct Benefits to SAR – up to $20,000

Not Accepting Applications

Perennial Biomass Crops

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

$500/acre for establishing and maintaining of perennial biomass crops on lands currently in annual crop production

$1,000/acre for establishing perennial biomass crops on marginal and high-risk lands currently in annual crop production

Accepting Applications

RALP funding supports the planting/establishment and on-going maintenance of perennial biomass crops (e.g., switchgrass) on annual cropland in Ontario.

Increasing the frequency of perennial biomass crops in annual crop rotations and conversion of marginal and high-risk annual croplands to perennial biomass crops results in more resilient agricultural landscapes, with an increased ability to sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce soil erosion and provide many other ecological benefits.

Perennial Biomass Crops

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Accepting Applications

Perennial Warm Season Pastures

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

$500/acre for establishing and maintaining perennial warm season pastures on lands currently in annual crop rotations

$1,000/acre for establishing and maintaining perennial warm season pastures on marginal and high-risk lands currently in annual crop rotations

Accepting Applications

RALP funding supports the planting/establishment and on-going maintenance of perennial warm season grasses for improving pastures.

Increasing the frequency of plantings of perennial warm season grasses as part of pasture management results in more resilient agricultural landscapes with an increased ability to sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce soil erosion, and provide many other ecological benefits.

Perennial Warm Season Pastures

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Accepting Applications

Reduced Tillage

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

$30/acre for moderate reductions to tillage practices

$50/acre for more substantial reductions to tillage practices

Accepting Applications

RALP funding supports farmers who want to implement a new practice of no-till, strip-till or minimum tillage, and ultimately increase the number of acres under reduced tillage on annual cropland in Ontario.

Reduced tillage practices result in more resilient agricultural landscapes with an increased ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce soil erosion, and provide many other ecological benefits.

Reduced Tillage

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

$30/acre for moderate reductions to tillage practices

$50/acre for more substantial reductions to tillage practices

Accepting Applications

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Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands

Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program

Nature Smart Climate Readiness Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Honey Bee Health Initiative

Honey Bee Health Initiative

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Maple Production Improvement Initiative

Maple Production Improvement Initiative

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Core BMPs

Core BMPs

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Agricultural Stewardship Initiative

Knowledge Sharing Event Partnership

Knowledge Sharing Event Partnership

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program