Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation

What’s New in OEFI:

• 11/24/2021 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture held a series of six public stakeholder meetings in February 2021 to hear suggestions for farmer and rancher-led climate change solutions that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs), ensure climate resilience, provide food security, and increase biodiversity. These meetings were held in accordance with Executive Order (EO) N-82-20, which calls for the development of innovative strategies for using California lands to address climate change and biodiversity, and for CDFA to work with agricultural stakeholders to identify solutions. The findings were compiled into a report which is now available here.
• 11/23/2021 – The Office of Administrative Law approved the CDFA’s proposed regulations for establishing appellations of origin for cannabis. These regulations take effect January 1, 2022. The approved regulatory text and additional details are on the CAP webpage.
• 11/22/2021 - The Water Efficiency Technical Assistance Program is currently accepting applications. Resource Conservation Districts, universities, non-profit organizations and Tribes may request up to $500,000 to provide technical assistance to California farmers and ranchers related to irrigation efficiency and nutrient management. Visit the new Water Efficiency Technical Assistance webpage to learn more.
• 10/12/21 – CDFA OEFI programs received millions of dollars in funding for next two years through Governors budgets. Please sign up to our list serves to be informed of funding opportunities related to these funds.
  • SWEEP received $100 million through Fiscal Year 2022-23. CDFA is currently accepting SWEEP Applications.
  • HSP received $160 million through Fiscal Year 2022-23. CDFA is currently accepting grant applications for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
  • DDRDP and AMMP received $80 million through Fiscal Year 2022-23.
  • Conservation Agriculture Planning Grant Program received $39 million through Fiscal Year 2022-23.
  • New Program - Pollinator Habitat Program (website coming soon) received $30 million through Fiscal Year 2022-23.
  • New Program - Water Efficiency Technical Assistance Grants received $5 million in Fiscal Year 2021-22.
• 10/14/21 - CDFA will host the public meeting of the Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel on October 14th from 9 am to 3 pm. Meeting information can be found here. Agenda and Binder of Information for the meeting will be posted October 4, 2021.
• 10/5/21 – CDFA Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) is now accepting applications for the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) and Proactive IPM Solutions grant programs. Deadline for submission is 12/6/21 at 5 PM PT. RFPs are available on the BIFS website and Proactive IPM Solutions website.
• 7/22/2021 – CDFA OPCA receives $3.75 million to support the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS), Proactive Integrated Pest Management Solutions (IPM), and Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4) grant programs. More information will be posted on the OPCA website soon.