Healthy Soils Program

The Healthy Soils Program stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments to promote the development of healthy soils on California's farmlands and ranchlands.

The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects. The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices.

The Healthy Soils Program is funded from the State’s cap and trade proceeds, also known as California Climate Investments (CCI). The HSP has received $40.5 million in funding from the CCI between 2016 and 2019.

CDFA has also received funding of $10 million from the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for all Act of 2018.

On farm management practices that include but are not limited to: cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, and conservation plantings.

If you have questions about CDFA's healthy soils program please e-mail cdfa.hsp_tech@cdfa.ca.gov.