CDFA ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NEW MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR THE HEALTHY SOILS PROGRAM

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SACRAMENTO, July 28, 2021 – CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) is accepting public comments on recommendations for proposed new management practices to be potentially included in its Healthy Soils Program (HSP).

“We are grateful that Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature have approved a new infusion of funding in the budget to continue our work in the Healthy Soils Program at the California Department of Food and Agriculture,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “As we develop innovative management practices and fund additional projects, we give our farmers and ranchers new tools to improve and maintain the health of the land that they live and work on – the land that feeds us all.”

The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of agricultural management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce GHG emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers' and ranchers' implementation of HSP practices.

The Budget Act of 2021 appropriated $50 million in one-time funding from the General Fund to the CDFA for implementation of the Healthy Soils Program.

Proposals for new practices to be considered under the HSP were accepted through a Request for Proposals (RFP) between June 29, 2020 and August 28, 2020. There were several important requirements  needed to submit a management practice for consideration in HSP.  Submitted proposals were reviewed by a committee of technical subject matter experts from California universities and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Upon consideration of public comments received, approved new management practices would be included in the upcoming round of the HSP Demonstration Projects.

CDFA staff recommendations for practices for potential inclusion under HSP are now available for public comments through August 27, 2021. Comments must be submitted via email to CDFA.HSP_tech@cdfa.ca.gov by 5 p.m. PT on August 27, 2021. The draft document listing staff recommendations on practices to be potentially included under the HSP are available the webpage: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/

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