Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation

The mission of the Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation is to serve California by supporting agricultural production and incentivizing practices resulting in a net benefit for the environment through innovation, efficient management and science. For questions and to learn more, click below on specific programs and videos from previous grant awardees. You may also contact us at cdfa.oefi@cdfa.ca.gov.

What’s New in OEFI:

3/22/23 — Public comment is open on the Organic Transition Pilot Program Draft Request for Grant Applications. The pilot program was created and supported with $5 million in funding by the Budget Act of 2022. The purpose is to provide support to farmers and ranchers who prepare land for organic certification. The program is designed as a block grant to be administered through organizations that demonstrate the expertise and partnerships needed to accomplish the program’s objectives. Organizations would apply to administer between $500,000 and $2 million each in funds and assistance to farmers and ranchers, whom they would identify after receiving an award. Public comments will be accepted through April 14, 2023 and should be sent to cdfa.oefi@cdfa.ca.gov.
12/1/22 — CDFA Secretary Karen Ross participated in a signing ceremony committing to an agreement with partners, including the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts on a memorandum of agreement (MOA), binding the parties together as the “California Conservation Planning Partnership” (C2P2). Under the agreement, the parties will work together to streamline their services to provide the best customer service experience when assisting land managers, including farmers, ranchers, and foresters implementing conservation and climate-smart agriculture practices on their lands. Read the MOA.