Technical Assistance
Technical assistance in the form of hands-on application assistance to farmers and ranchers is critical to the success of CDFA’s Climate Smart Agriculture programs including the Healthy Soils Program (HSP), the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). One-on-one technical assistance improves accessibility of incentive funding to agricultural operations that otherwise may not have the resources or technical expertise to complete the application process, and implement the CSA programs incentivized practices. Assembly Bill No. 2377 (2018) authorized CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation to administer a Request for Proposals (RFP) and application materials for the CSA Technical Assistance Grant Program.
Funds awarded through this competitive grant process will be distributed to technical assistance providers from Resource Conservation Districts, the University of California Cooperative Extension, and nonprofit organizations, with demonstrated technical expertise in designing and implementing agricultural management practices to support CDFA's CSA incentive programs.
This grant solicitation is being conducted to prepare for potential funding that might be allocated to the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) in the 2021 calendar year.
Funds awarded through this competitive grant process will be distributed to the Resource Conservation Districts, the University of California Cooperative Extension, and non-profit organizations with demonstrated technical expertise in designing and implementing agricultural management practices to support CDFA's Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). Eligible organizations may request up to $60,000 for each Climate Smart Agriculture program supported – over three years to provide technical assistance to applicants and awardees of the HSP and SWEEP.
The total allocation for this Technical Assistance grant solicitation is dependent on the funds allocated to the HSP and SWEEP through the state budget process. A minimum of 5% of the HSP and SWEEP funding will be made available for Technical Assistance.
CDFA will hold two remote application workshops for organizations interested in applying for technical assistance funding on Monday, March 1 at 1 PM and Thursday, March 4 at 2 PM. Workshop registration links are below.
- March 1, 2021 at 1:00 PM - Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2991557147379872784
- March 4, 2021 at 2:00 PM - Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6545651518353919755
Applications are due March 22, 2021 at 5 p.m. PT. Late applications will not be accepted.
Review the Request for Grant Proposals (linked below) before submitting a proposal through the application portal.
Email Subscriptions
Program Status
The Technical Assistance Grant Program is not accepting applications.
University of California Partnership
CDFA has partnered with the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources to offer Climate Smart Agriculture technical assistance. Individuals who are interested in learning more about climate-smart agriculture or need assistance with the CDFA incentive programs may contact their nearest Community Education Specialist.