On-Farm Climate Action Fund

 

 

DOWNLOAD CLAIMS PROCESS STEP-BY-STEP (PDF)

OFCAF Claims Process 

  
Upon the approval of your project or grazing plan mentorship application, you will receive a PDF claim form and instructions on how to submit the claim form. Each time you are ready to request funds you will need to fully complete the claim form and upload it to the “Upload Files for Payment” section of the application in the Impact system. Be sure to fill out every section and sign the completed claim form. 

Invoices and proof of payment  
Invoices and proof of payment are required for every amount of funds requested. Invoices and proof of payment should be uploaded to the “Files for Payment” section and should be clearly labelled for more complicated claims that contain multiple invoices and proof of payment. All amounts should be taken from those invoices without GST.   
  
Projects with eligible in-kind costs will need to provide those invoices (made out from yourself to yourself, clearly breaking down all costs). Proof of payment can include debit and credit card slips, bank / credit card statements, account statements, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) statements and cancelled cheques. Cash payments are most difficult to show proof of payment so the CFGA encourages applicants to use other forms of payment when available.  
  
Claims for projects that involve pasture seeding must also have seed tags uploaded that show the seed blend and certification (or common #1). If there are any permits required for your project, you need to upload them as well. While photos or maps of the project being completed aren’t required, it is often helpful to include them to show progress on the project.  

Request payment  
Once you have uploaded the claim and all supporting documents, you must hit the “Request Payment” button at the bottom of the application page. Once the “Request Payment” button is hit it can take up to 90 working days for the claim to be processed and payment to be issued.  

If you are not able to hit the “Request Payment” button, there is likely some information on your Organization missing (Business Number, SIN, etc.) that you need to enter before you are able to request payment.  
  
Issues or questions  
If there are any issues or questions about your claim or supporting documents, someone from the claims team will reach out via email or phone to get further information or clarification. Notes will be left in the comments section of the application if anything further is required.  

Payment process  
Once the claim has been processed successfully, the CFGA claim reviewers will upload a file in the “Upload Files for Payment” section that will say “Your claim has been processed successfully.” From there, it will be passed along for payment issuing.  

The CFGA encourages producers to frequently check their email and/or comments section on the Impact system to ensure that all requests for further information are handled in a timely manner. Delays in providing required follow-up information will also delay issuing of payments.  
  
Payments are made by EFT. This means the CFGA will need banking information to be able to send payment. On your Organization page in the Impact system there is a section titled “Payment Information” where you must enter your banking details and upload a void cheque to confirm your banking details. 

To enter your banking details, click the “Show details” link and it will open that section.  
  
Payments will not be issued without all information entered and a void cheque uploaded. If your payment details change (new bank or new bank account), please update the information so funds can be sent to the correct account. Only applicants are able to view and update banking information.  

Once a payment has been issued, your application will be moved to “Paid” status and an automated email will be sent from the Impact system to notify you that a payment has been sent.   

Payment details (amount and date issued) can be found in the section just below the “Files for Payment” and above the “Comments” section on the application page. If it shows a payment was issued yet you haven’t received it, please contact our team.  

Claims Process Updated Nov. 6, 2024

 

The development of a rotational grazing plan for your farming operation is the program’s foundation and a requirement to access further funding for implementing your advanced rotational grazing plan.  By developing a rotational grazing plan, you will have a clear idea of all associated aspects of your project.

Although not required, it is recommended that producers enrol and complete the series of modules of the Advanced Grazing Systems self-paced learning as an introduction to the foundation of the advanced rotational grazing practices and theory. Proceeding through these modules will help you create a rotational grazing plan suitable for your operation.

Producers seeking additional assistance in developing an advanced rotational grazing management plan may do so with the guidance of a grazing mentor who is a professional agrologist (P.Ag) or certified crop adviser (CCA).  CFGA has a network of mentors trained to support the development of grazing plans if you need support in finding a person to assist you. Please contact Travis at [email protected] to find out how to access funding for one-on-one support.

Fencing is integral to the implementation of the advanced rotational grazing plan to move livestock in a timely and controlled manner to achieve the desired grazing results.  There are several options for fencing available and working with a grazing mentor and within your desired management plans the best options can be presented in your application. 

Eligible Expenses

• New fencing materials for the purpose of cross fencing can include wildlife-friendly fencing and temporary fencing. 
• Fencers/energizers and all associated electric fencing supplies (ground rods, insulators, etc) are eligible as part of new fence construction. 

Eligible In-Kind Expenses

• In-kind labour and equipment use (tractor & post pounder) are eligible and costs should come from your local/provincial published rate guide (custom & rental rate guides).

Ineligible Expenses

• Used fencing materials
• Livestock panels and Texas gates are not eligible. 
• Perimeter fences do not qualify if construction is not aligned with the grazing plan. 
• Removing or replacing old or existing fences is not an eligible project expense.
• Ongoing regular maintenance is not eligible. 

Water is essential to any grazing plan and must be carefully considered when developing an advanced rotational grazing plan. 

Eligible Expenses

• Livestock waterers and remote watering systems are eligible project costs as part of an advanced rotational grazing plan.
• Remote watering systems that use renewable energy (solar & wind) are eligible
• Wet wells, pipelines and trenching of waterlines
• Winterized remote systems that serve the purpose of watering during the summer grazing season can be eligible. 

Non-Eligible Expense

• Systems that use non-renewable energy (portable generators or gas-powered pumps) 
• Trenching of power is not eligible. 
• Trucks, trailers/ wagons and holding tanks are not eligible for funding unless incorporated into the remote water system unit.  

Producers are responsible for ensuring they have all required permits as they may apply to their watering system and overall advanced rotational grazing project.  It is up to producers to check with the local and provincial governments to ensure that they comply with any regulations. 

The composition of the forage in the grazing area can impact the emissions of greenhouse gases.  By improving the forage composition to low methane production forage species (such as alfalfa and sainfoin), we can benefit both grazing and the environment.  Forage species should be selected based on the recommendations of a Professional Agrologist in your area.  

Eligible Expenses

• Seed and seeding costs are eligible under the program. 
• Pastures with less than 25% legume content are eligible. If legume content is predominantly alfalfa, seed with red or white clover to avoid allelopathic effects. 
• Activities to implement low methane pastures (increased alfalfa content, high quality forage and species containing tannin, such as sainfoin) 

Eligible In-Kind Expenses

• In-kind seeding costs should be based on local/provincial published rate guides (custom & rental rate guides).   

Non-Eligible Expenses

• Fertilizer and any chemical applications are not eligible.

Conditions

• The seed should be certified or Common #1 and not contain any noxious weed seeds.
• Tags and seed documentation will need to be kept and submitted with the claim for verification.   
• Eligible projects will be paid out on the seeding attempt. 
• Ideally, the stand will be established however, even if it is not and the applicant has incurred expenses to carry out the project, those costs will be eligible. 
• The seeding project is to be documented with geo-referenced photos to show prior and post pasture conditions and the seeding operation.