Farmer-First: Enabling faster, clearer, and more secure funding claims

Project Details

Impact is a secure, web-based claim processing platform designed to help CFGA distribute millions in funding for sustainable farming practices.

The platform guides applicants through a clear, step-by-step process for submitting claims, ensuring that required information is collected accurately and completely.

Built as a multi-tenant system, the platform supports multiple user roles - each with tailored permissions to support farmers, administrators, reviewers, and program managers. Staff can search, filter, and manage hundreds of claims with ease, using deep filtering tools to track application status, flag missing information, and prioritize reviews.

Sensitive applicant data, including banking details and government-issued ID numbers, is stored securely with access limited to authorized personnel. The system is designed to evolve alongside the program, with regular updates to accommodate changing policies, funding rules, and legal requirements.

Problem Statement

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is the national voice for all sectors of the forage and grassland industry.

The CFGA formed in 2010 to uphold the robust forage industry and realize the potential of Canada’s domestic and export forage markets. They work cooperatively with their partners to develop the forage and grasslands industry through knowledge transfer, research and supporting market opportunities in Canada and abroad.

With hundreds of applications from farmers, millions of dollars of federal funding to distribute, and ever-changing requirements from federal programs, CFGA needed support in automating it’s claims process to better support the forage industry.

The Discovery Sprint

The project’s core requirement centered around automating CFGA’s claim management process, reducing the back and forth between applicants and staff, as well as streamlining the management and tracking of claims.

Our discovery phase focused on deeply understanding how the claims process worked and what the common pitfalls in the application process were for both applicants and staff. We also uncovered improvements and desired features that would make new processes possible.

Design and Development

Tandem designed and developed an comprehensive claim management web app that improved and replaced over half of CFGA’s existing processes. With the essential claims processes in place, we continued adapting the platform to the changes in program structure as well as adding new features.