CDFA ANNOUNCES AWARDS OF $13.2 MILLION FOR CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE PLANNING GRANTS PROGRAM

Español

SACRAMENTO, February 2, 2023 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) announces the award of $13.2 million in grants for 103 applications throughout the state through the Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program (CAPGP).

CAPGP was established by the Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 170, Skinner) which appropriated $17 million to CDFA. With this funding, CAPGP will provide up to $14.7 million to eligible applicants for the development of conservation agriculture plans.  The remainder will be used for research and technical assistance.

CAPGP will fund the development of various types of agricultural conservation plans related to CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programs, which address risks that climate change poses to agriculture, including but not limited to drought, uncertain water availability, increased temperatures, and increased pest pressures.

“California needs plans for conservation on agricultural lands, and this program is a crucial step in offering assistance for farmers and ranchers who want to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture practices down the road,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This is an excellent opportunity for the development and expansion of conservation projects.”

The funded plans will help mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, support agricultural adaptation to climate change impacts, and promote environmental and agricultural sustainability.

The complete list of grant awardees can be found at the CAPGP website by following the link: www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/planning

Eligible applicants included tribes, farmers and ranchers who partnered with qualified experts, and organizations including resource conservation districts, universities, non-profits, cooperatives, and groundwater sustainability agencies. The maximum award was $250,000 for a 24-month grant term to prepare conservation plans in the designated categories.

-30-