Grow greener.
Get paid for it.
Up to
100K
in funding
Certified organic farmers across Canada can now access direct funding to adopt climate-smart practices — and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions on the farm.
Government funded program
Direct financial assistance
Certified organic farms only
First-come, First-served
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- About the Program
Your farm. Canada's climate.
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a federal initiative delivered through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Ecocert Canada and the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) have partnered to deliver this funding specifically for certified organic operations.
The program provides financial and technical support to help you implement Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions — while improving your soil health and biodiversity.
💡 Most of the funds go directly to farmers. This program is designed so that the majority of its budget flows as direct financial assistance to farming operations — not overhead
- Process
From application to payment, simplified
Three clear steps stand between you and up to $100,000 in funding for your operation.
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✉️ Email to apply
Send an email to ofcaf@ecocert.com to receive your online application form. No portals. No complicated logins. Just an email.
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📋 Submit your project
Complete the form describing which BMPs you want to adopt on your farm. An agronomic expert must provide a recommendation letter supporting your chosen practices.
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💰 Receive funding
An impartial committee reviews applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Selected farms receive financial compensation, training invitations, and tailored support.
- Eligible practices
What practices are funded?
Funding is available for two categories of Beneficial Management Practices. Both are designed to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and build carbon in your soil.
🌿 Nitrogen Management
Reduce N₂O emissions & build soil organic matter
🌾 Cover Crops
Conserve moisture, reduce runoff & sequester carbon
Eligible BMPs
Introduce or increase legumes in crop rotation
Split manure applications into multiple sessions
Switch from fall to spring manure application
Upgrade equipment to incorporate manure into soil
Eligible Costs Include
Agronomist & consulting fees, soil testing
Seed & planting costs for legumes
Planning, assessment & technical training
Definition
Crops left standing outside the typical growing year (e.g., winter months) and at least 6 inches tall
Must be a new practice, an improvement, or applied on additional land
Eligible Costs Include
Agronomist & certified crop advisor services
Regionally appropriate seed costs or per-acre payments
Cost of planting
- Requirements
Are you eligible?
Check these criteria before applying. Most certified organic operations in Canada will qualify.
Eligibility Criteria
Legal entity — The applicant must be a registered legal entity.
Organic certification — Current organic certificate, or land in transition to organic.
In-field crop production — Eligible activity type only.
New or expanded practices — BMPs must be new, improved, or applied to additional land.
What selected farms must do
15% minimum contribution — Cash or in-kind from your operation.
Agronomist recommendation letter — Mandatory for all BMPs (agronomist, Professional Agrologist, or Certified Crop Advisor).
On-site visit — You must be available for an Ecocert site audit.
No duplicate funding — Cannot receive OFCAF funding for the same BMPs from another OFCAF-delivering organization.
Data sharing — Cooperate with reporting to COTA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
- Quick answers
Common questions
How much can my farm receive?
Up to $100,000 per operation for the full duration of the OFCAF program. Funding is calculated based on the number of acres affected by the BMPs.
Do I need to be fully certified, or can I be in transition?
Both are eligible. Your farm must hold a current organic certificate, or your land must be in transition to organic status.
What if I'm already doing cover crops?
Existing practices on land where they're already implemented are not eligible. However, expanding these practices to new acreage that wasn't previously covered is eligible.
How are applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis by an impartial committee of COTA and Ecocert representatives. Apply early — funding is allocated until it runs out.
Do I need to hire an agronomist first?
Yes. A recommendation letter from an agronomist, Professional Agrologist, or Certified Crop Advisor is mandatory to complete your application.
Is there funding for underrepresented groups?
10% of total funding is reserved for underrepresented groups, ensuring equitable access across the Canadian organic farming community.
- Program partners
Delivered by Organisations you can Trust
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Certification & Delivery
Ecocert Canada
A subsidiary of the Ecocert Group, committed to organic agriculture for over 25 years. Canada's benchmark for organic certification, with 100+ employees and 4 offices nationwide serving French and English speakers.
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Selection & Oversight
COTA
The Canada Organic Trade Association leads the selection committee with impartiality, ensuring fair access to the program. COTA champions the growth of Canada's organic sector and sustainable farming practices.
Funder
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
This program is funded under the Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) initiative — On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) — delivered by the Government of Canada to accelerate climate action in agriculture.
- Don't wait
APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED
FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED
Funding is limited. Once all funds are allocated, applications close. Send an email today to request your application form — it takes under 60 seconds.
Applications are open now — spots are limited
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