Cost Share Programs
Take Advantage Government Programs
OFCAF
The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)
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The OFCAF program is a federal program that works with local delivery groups. Cost share for things like pasture pipeline varies between 70 and 85% (their contribution) and 15 and 30% (your contribution). OFCAF projects are not judged on project quality; your project either meets program requirements or it does not. Eligible projects are funded in the order they are received. So do not delay, get your project described and apply as soon as possible after the programs open because they will run out of funds. OFCAF is administered in Alberta by RDAR (Results Driven Agricultural Research) and more generally by the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (all of western Canada, Alberta residents can apply through either RDAR or CFGA). RDAR applications require professional signoff which we can give. The limits for an OFCAF application is $75,000 of program funding, your share is in addition ($88,000 total project with the 85% cost share for example). RDAR will require pasture pipeline be plowed in and CFGA will allow it to be on the surface. RDAR does not accept in kind expenses (your time and equipment), CFGA does. Pasture Pipelines are a popular cost share project for the OFCAF Program
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Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP)
Supports producers to conserve and enhance the environmental resiliency of their agricultural landscapes.
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The RALP program is more general than the OFCAF programs and goes as high as 100% funding for approved projects. RALP program funding requires an Environmental Farm Plan. You can apply for RALP funding (get yourself into the que) and be working on your EFP at the same time. Project funding can be approved before you complete your EFP, but will not be released until it is done. You cannot receive funding from both OFCAF and RALP for the same applicant, land, or project (cannot double dip); you can apply for both, you cannot be funded for both. Pasture Pipelines are a popular cost share for the RALP Program
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ALUS
Alternative Land Use Systems
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ALUS is a privately funded program that runs through numerous counties in Western Canada. ALUS funds a wide variety of farm and ranch improvements that lead to improvements in Environmental Goods and Services. You will have to determine if your county is an ALUS partner and find your local contact at the County level or from the ALUS website. ALUS cost shares are variable, so you will have to contact them to describe your project. Pasture Pipelines have been a common cost share for ALUS and still are.
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Municipal Programs
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Some counties have their own cost share programs. Consult your county website and search for cost share programs. They might be under the Agricultural Service Board. Some counties that do not have ALUS programs have independent cost share programs. County level programs are usually funded at lower levels than either the OFCAF or RALP Programs but can still give significant cost relief to farmers and ranchers.
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