CDFA ANNOUNCES GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR HEALTHY SOILS PROGRAM

SACRAMENTO, March 5, 2018 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). The program provides funding for incentivizing and demonstrating soil health practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases, and improve soil health. 

The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects.

The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of soil health practices that sequester soil carbon and reduce GHG emissions. California farmers and ranchers, as well as Federal and California recognized Native American Indian Tribes, are eligible to apply.

The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers’ and ranchers’ implementation of HSP soil health practices. By using demonstration projects, awardees can help support widespread adoption of soil health management practices throughout the state.  Not-for-profit entities, University Cooperative Extension, federal and university experiment stations, Resource Conservation Districts, Federal and California-recognized Native American Indian Tribes, and farmers and ranchers in collaboration with any of the aforementioned entities are eligible to apply.

A total of up to $1.6 million will be awarded for the projects, with no more than $500,000 allocated specifically for HSP Demonstration projects.

This grant process may prioritize funding to agricultural lands in counties where a state of emergency was declared in 2017 due to wildfires under executive orders signed by Governor Edmond G. Brown, Jr. These counties include: Butte, Lake, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Ventura and Yuba.

Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically by April 13, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Awards will be made based on a first-come-first-served basis and will be subject to administrative and technical reviews prior to being funded.

For detailed information on eligibility and program requirements, prospective applicants should visit the CDFA Healthy Soils Program website at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.

CDFA will hold two workshops and two webinars to provide information on program requirements and the application process (see below). CDFA staff will provide guidance on the application process, provide 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 required, and the workshop location.

Orange County – Tuesday, March 13, 2018
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm - HSP Incentives Program
2.30 pm - 4:00 pm - HSP Demonstration Projects
OC Fair and Event Center – Board Room
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Yuba City – Friday, March 16, 2018
9:00 am – 10:30 am - HSP Incentives Program
10:30 am - 12:00 pm - HSP Demonstration Projects
University of California Cooperative Extension Sutter/Yuba
142 Garden Highway
Yuba City, CA 95991
     
Webinar – Monday, March 19, 2018
9:00 am – 10:30 am - HSP Incentives Program
10:30 am - 12:00 pm - HSP Demonstration Projects

Webinar – Wednesday, March 21, 2018
9:00 am – 10:30 am - HSP Incentives Program
10:30 am - 12:00 pm - HSP Demonstration Projects

To register for the webinars, please visit the program webpage at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.

Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov with general program questions. For information regarding free-of-charge technical assistance provided by non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), and California academic institutions, applicants should refer to www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils.

NOTE - The HSP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG 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 Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more.  At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California.  For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at:  www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

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