Hello, I'm Ana Resendiz, the Climate Smart Agriculture Community Education Specialist for UC Cooperative Extension in Imperial County.

I'm part of a team that provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who are interested in implementing Climate Smart Practices or applying for CDFA grant funds. 

What is Climate Smart Agriculture?

Climate-Smart Agriculture supports management practices that build soil carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve water-use efficiency, and promote sustainable land use. The goal is to build agricultural resilience to the impacts of climate change while using land management as a solution to the climate crisis. By increasing soil health, improving water-use efficiency, and decreasing energy use, Climate-Smart Agriculture practices help farmers and ranchers steward their land for future generations.

Climate Smart Agriculture Grants - CDFA

• Healthy Soil Program: On-farm management practices that include but are not limited to: cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, and conservation plantings. Provide farmers with grants for up to $150,000.
• State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program: Eligible system components include, but are not limited to, soil moisture monitoring, land leveling, switching to low-pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives, and renewable energy installations to reduce on-farm water use and energy use. Provide farmers with grants for up to $200,000.
• Alternative Manure Management Program: provides financial assistance for implementing non-digested manure management practices in California, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Projects grant fund for up to $750,000.

Implementing Climate Smart Agriculture in Imperial County

Next, you will find a video of an Imperial farmer who successfully implemented a SWEEP project. 

Stay tuned by subscribing to our Climate Smart Ag blog: