CDFA Grant Programs for Farmers

CDFA's Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative manure management practices involve handling manure in ways that don't involve using an anaerobic digester. Currently, eligible practices for funding through AMMP include: pasture-based based management; solid separation or conversion from flush to scrape in conjunction with some form of drying or composting of collected manure.

This program funded the development of plans that will help farmers and ranchers identify actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, further environmental stewardship on farms and ranches and ensure agricultural food security into the future. Please visit the program webpage for a list of current awarded organizations that may be contacted for further information about implementation opportunities (dependent on current funding levels and geographic locations).

CDFA's Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The Healthy Soils Program consists of an Incentives Program, Demonstration Projects, and a Block Grant Pilot Program. These programs provide grants for incentivizing and demonstrating the implementation of conservation agricultural management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases and improve soil health. On farm management practices that include but are not limited to: cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, and conservation plantings.

The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices. The HSP Block Grant Pilot Program is designed to facilitate financial assistance to California agricultural operations through regional block grant administrators. Please see the program webpage for a list of regional block grant administrators.

The purpose is to provide support to farmers and ranchers who prepare land for organic certification. The program is designed as a block grant to be administered through organizations that disburse financial assistance to farmers and ranchers for a wide range of eligible costs for transitioning acres to organic farming. Please visit the program webpage for updates on awarded organizations that may be contacted for further information about implementation opportunities (dependent on current funding levels and geographic locations).

The Pollinator Habitat Program awarded funds to experienced organizations to work directly with farmers and ranchers to install habitat and implement management practices that support pollinators. Please visit the program webpage for a list of current awarded organizations that may be contacted for further information about implementation opportunities (dependent on current funding levels and geographic locations).

The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations.  Eligible system components include (among others) soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy.

An additional component of the program is the SWEEP Block Grant Pilot Program that is designed to facilitate financial assistance to California agricultural operations through regional block grant administrators. Please see the program webpage for a list of regional block grant administrators.

Organizations that provide on-farm, one-on-one technical assistance to farmers to evaluate irrigation system efficiency (e.g., mobile irrigation lab) and provide diagnostics, reports and recommendations to growers. Additionally they coordinate or provide pump efficiency testing for farmers and provide training regarding water use efficiency and nutrient management practices and technology.

The California Underserved and Small Producers (CUSP) Grant Program is designed to facilitate direct assistance to individual small and mid-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who need support applying for economic relief grant programs and assistance with business planning and marketing strategies. This program also includes direct relief payments for historically underserved and small producers impacted by COVID-19 and drought.

The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities.

CDFA, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), will make competitive Infrastructure Grant awards to support infrastructure in the middle-of-the-supply-chain for domestic food and farm businesses and other eligible entities. Middle-of-the-supply-chain activities include processing, aggregation, and/or distribution of targeted agricultural products. This program is to support food system crops and products meant for human consumption (excluding meat and poultry products, which are funded through other USDA programs).

The Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is focused on supporting local and regional farm to school projects that promote nutrition education, sustainable food production and procurement, and high-quality student engagement through experiential learning.

Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program

Through this program, CDFA funds energy efficient refrigeration units in corner stores and small businesses in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock California-grown fresh produce, nuts and minimally processed foods. The purpose of the program is to improve access to healthy food choices in the small retail environment for underserved communities, while promoting CA-grown agriculture.