CDFA ANNOUNCES GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE 2017 ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

SACRAMENTO, August 21, 2017 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). CDFA was appropriated $50 million dollars from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, authorized by the Budget Act of 2016, to provide financial assistance for methane emission reductions from dairy and livestock operations.

The AMMP is one of two programs designed by CDFA to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The program will provide $9-16 million dollars in grants to California dairy and livestock operators to implement non-digester manure management practices that reduce their methane emissions.

For detailed information on eligibility and program requirements, prospective applicants should visit the CDFA AMMP website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ammp/. To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts an online application tool, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All prospective applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov. Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Monday, October 2, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

CDFA will hold four workshops and one webinar to provide information on program requirements and the application process (see below). CDFA staff will provide guidance on the application process, provide several examples, and answer any questions. There is no cost to attend the workshops. Individuals planning to attend should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov  with his or her contact information, the number of seats requested, and the workshop location.

Eureka – Thursday, September 7, 2017
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Humboldt County Agricultural Building
5630 South Broadway Street
Eureka, CA 95501
     
Santa Rosa – Friday, September 8, 2017
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner
133 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 110
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Modesto – Thursday, September 14, 2017
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Stanislaus County Agricultural Building
3800 Cornucopia Way, Suite B
Modesto, CA 95358

This meeting will also be available as a webinar for remote attendees. To register for the webinar, please visit the program webpage at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ammp/.

Tulare – Friday, September 15, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tulare County Agricultural Building
4437 S Laspina Street
Tulare, CA 93274

Prospective applicants should refer to the AMMP webpage (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ammp/ ) for information regarding technical assistance workshops conducted by non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), and California academic institutions. These workshops are intended to provide technical assistance with the application process and are free of charge. Technical assistance is made available through a $100,000 partnership grant between CDFA and the Strategic Growth Council.

Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov with general program questions.

NOTE – THE AMMP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.