CDFA ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENT ON POLLINATOR HABITAT PROGRAM

Español

SACRAMENTO, March 17, 2022 - CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) is accepting public comments for its draft Request for Grant Applications for the Pollinator Habitat Program. 
 
The program was established by the Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 170, Skinner). An allocation of $15 million to CDFA was made for fiscal year 2021-2022 to provide grant funding for the establishment of pollinator habitat on agricultural lands throughout California. CDFA was directed to administer the program and to prioritize native habitats for the benefit of native biodiversity and the use of locally appropriate native plant seed mixes when feasible.
 
The Pollinator Habitat Program is aligned with the suite of Climate Smart Agriculture incentive programs administered by OEFI. The program’s primary objective is to support pollinators through provision of floral resources, host plants, and other elements of suitable habitat. Funded projects will be expected to provide benefits for California’s biodiversity and agricultural production. Projects will support integrated pest management, support beneficial species (beyond pollinators), enhance carbon sequestration, and improve soil health among other co-benefits.
 
Pollinators are essential to many of California’s agricultural crops and to the vast biodiversity of California’s natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors including habitat destruction, pesticides, disease, and climate change, pollinators are in decline. affecting agricultural and natural ecosystems. It is the goal of the Pollinator Habitat Program to help strengthen pollinator populations. 
 
Resource Conservation Districts, the University of California, California Community Colleges, California State Universities, Non-profits, and Federally-and California-Recognized Native American Indian Tribes will be eligible to receive funding. CDFA encourages applications from organizations who serve small to medium sized and socially disadvantaged California food producers and farmworkers, including but not limited to BIMPOC (Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, and People of Color), LGBTQ+, women and veterans. Entities applying for PHP grants must have demonstrated expertise and experience in habitat restoration on agricultural lands or implementation of conservation management practices that support pollinators. 
 
Stakeholders are encouraged to review the Draft Request for Applications on the Pollinator Habitat website (www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/php/) and submit comments by April 18, 2022, 5 p.m. PT to cdfa.oefi@cdfa.ca.gov

-30-