April 20, 2026

Alberta Is Covering Half the Cost of Seeding Drones in 2026

Here's what the OFCAF grant means for Central Alberta farmers — and whether it's worth exploring.

What the Grant Is

The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), delivered in Alberta through RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research), is a federal cost-share program that helps farmers adopt practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and soil health improvements.

For 2026, the program expanded to include drone purchases — specifically drones used for cover crop seeding. The structure is straightforward: OFCAF covers 50% of eligible costs, up to $20,000 back per applicant.

That's new. In previous years, drones weren't on the eligible equipment list. This cycle changed that.

Who It's For

This grant won't be the right fit for every operation. It's designed for farmers who are already thinking about cover cropping as part of their rotation — or who've been curious about it but haven't made the jump yet.

If seeding cover crops by drone isn't something you've considered, this isn't a reason to start from scratch. But if it's already on your radar, the grant makes the economics worth a serious look.

How the Numbers Work

The program is built around a 50% cost-share model. On a drone purchase in the $35,000–$45,000 range, that means up to $20,000 comes back to you after the season.

There's one requirement worth knowing upfront: you'll need a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) to sign off on a Best Management Practice (BMP) Action Plan before you apply. This document ties your drone purchase to a specific cover-cropping practice on your land.

The good news: the agronomist's fee is also partially covered — up to $2,000, or 10% of total project costs.

Key Dates

• Applications open: April 10, 2026
• Submit through: ARGO Application
• Invoice deadline: December 1, 2026
• Payment issued: By March 31, 2027

OFCAF operates on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is committed for the year.