Olds (Rural Roots Canada) – Farmers and ranchers needing help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and store carbon have a new option available.

Applications are now open for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund or OFCAF. It’s a cost-sharing funding program that supports farmers and ranchers in adopting best management practices that reduce GHGs and store carbon, specifically for in-field nitrogen management, expanding cover cropping, and implementing rotational grazing packages.

RDAR – Results Driven Agriculture Research – is responsible for the OFCAF program. Fiona Briody, OFCAF program manager for RDAR, says the fund is excellent news for producers.

“Producers are always trying to do better with their sustainability, stewardship, and greenhouse gas emissions,” says Briody.

“This will really enable them to make those improvements quicker.”

READ MORE: Grain Drying Study Looking for Farmers

RDAR is one of 12 national delivery partners for the federally funded program that helps producers adopt different practices by offsetting 85% of the cost, up to a maximum of $75,000 in funding per producer.

There’s been considerable interest in OFCAF. Briody says applications have already started coming in.

“Whether you’re a crop producer or livestock producer, hopefully, there’s something in here that works for you and helps you move your farm further in terms of efficiencies, environmental stewardship, and greenhouse gas emissions.”

To be eligible for OFCAF, you must have $25,000 in farm income. As well, your operation must be Alberta-based. More information is available on the RDAR website. There will also be some webinars to answer any additional questions.