Funding

This list has been compiled by UCCE San Diego staff to provide a list of funding opportunities on climate-smart topics for farmers, ranchers, and growers in San Diego County. Updated October 13, 2022.

CATEGORY	FUNDING NAME	FUNDING ADMINISTRATOR	DESCRIPTION
General	Federal Funding Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture Database	UCANR SAREP	This database compiled by SAREP summarizes federal programs that fund sustainable agriculture and food systems projects (adapted from the guide Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities).
General	Environmental Quality Incentives Program	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement conservation practices (including soil health, nitrogen management, rangeland management, air quality compliance, and more). A wide variety of practices and programs are adminstered by EQIP, so check the website and contact an NRCS rep for your particular situation. Targeted funding is now available in response to historic drought conditions in California!
General	Agricultural Conservation Easement Program	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing land easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land (cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland, private forest land, and wetlands). Eligible partners include American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland, rangeland or grassland protection programs.
General	Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans	USDA Farm Service Agency	Beginning farmers (those who have been farming for less than 10 years) can apply for down payment loans, family farm purchase loans, operating loans, and others to access financial assistance during the start-up years.
General	Conservation Innovation Grants	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Grants are intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. The California CIGs emphasizes projects that benefit a limited geographical area: watershed-based, regional, and local projects are encouraged.
General	Conservation Reserve Program	USDA Farm Service Agency	In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length. One of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the nation.
General	Transition Incentives Program	USDA Farm Service Agency	Encourages landowners to sell or lease long-term to beginning or socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers willing to implement sustainable practices or transition to organic production, by providing two years of additional payments for expiring CRP-enrolled land.
General	Conservation Stewardship Program	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Rewards advanced conservation systems through 5-year renewable payment contracts to farmers and ranchers to actively manage, maintain, and expand conservation practices like rotations, cover cropping, rotational grazing, and IPM on working farms.
General	Farm Aid Grants for Nonprofit Organizations	Farm Aid	Farm Aid’s grantmaking is focused on work that enhances the viability of family farm agriculture in the United States. Grants are only issued to nonprofit organizations that serve family farmers and to individual farmers as part of emergency/disaster response (e.g., floods, fire), not to individual farmers for the commercial operation of their farms.
General	Farm Loan Programs	USDA Farm Service Agency	A variety of loans are offered from both federal or federally-guaranteed private lenders for emergencies, owning and operating expenses, minority and women farmers, youth education, and other farm-related expenses and needs.
General	Farmers.gov Farm Loan Discovery Tool	USDA Farmers.gov	Find a USDA Farm Loan that might be right for you by answering a few short questions. Learn about your eligibility and find application guides to help you prepare for your USDA Service Center visit with a loan officer.
General	Fund-A-Farmer Grants	Food Animals Concerns Trust	These grants are awarded to farmers that improve farm animal welfare through seeking or holding animal welfare certifications.
General	Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (para español, haga clic en "español" a la derecha)	San Diego County Planning & Development Services	Under the PACE Program, willing agricultural property owners are compensated for placing a perpetual easement on their property that limits future uses to agriculture. As a result, the agricultural land is preserved and the property owner receives compensation making the land’s continued use for agriculture more viable.
General	Farmer/Rancher Grant Program: English / Español	Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education	A farmer or rancher (lead) and an agricultural professional (technical advisor) work together to develop a project that conducts both research and outreach on a sustainable agriculture topic. $25,000 limit ($29,900 limit with three or more producers)/one to two years in scope.
General	Professional Development Grant Program	Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education	This grant program focuses on training agricultural professionals to help them spread knowledge about sustainable agriculture concepts and practices. Ag professionals are eligible to apply. $100,000 limit/one-three years in scope.
General	Conservation Loan Program	USDA Farm Service Agency	Offers federal guarantees on private loans to help farmers and ranchers implement qualified conservation practices on their farm, with a priority for beginning farmers.
Soil	CDFA Healthy Soils Incentives Program	CA Department of Food & Agriculture	The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. HSP also offers a Demonstration Program to fund and showcase ranchers' and growers' implementation of HSP practices, which accelerates their adoption through farmer-to-farmer education.
Soil	Alternative Manure Management Program	CA Department of Food & Agriculture	Provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Soil	Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program	CalRecycle	This program provides up to $1 million annually in grants for the cleanup of illegal solid waste sites on farm or ranch property. A site may be eligible for funding if the parcel(s) is(are) zoned for agricultural use, where unauthorized solid waste disposal has occurred, and where the site(s) is(are) in need of cleanup in order to abate a nuisance or public health and safety threat and/or a threat to the environment.
Soil	National Organic Initiative	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Provides technical and financial assistance in creating a conservation practices plan for organic farmers and ranchers and those interested in transitioning to organic. Up to $140,000 over 5 years
Soil	Organic Certification Cost Share Program	USDA Farm Service Agency	Provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.
Soil	Research Grants Program	Organic Farming Research Foundation	Offers funding for research on organic production systems and communication of research results to ag communities. Research proposals must meaningfully involve farmers in project design and implementation and take place on certified organic land. Maximum grant of $20,000 per project.
Soil	Zero Food Print Restore California Grants	Zero Food Print	ZFP provides crowd-funded grants to help farmers switch to renewable farming practices that sequester soil carbon. Design your own sequestration project with the help of your local RCD and name your price. (Currently closed, but will reopen.)
Soil	Zero Food Print Compost Connector	Zero Food Print	After CA's State Bill 1383 rapidly increasing compost availability, this program aims to connect composting facilities with farms and ranches to put each region's compost to best use sequestering carbon. Rolling applications.
Water	Integrated Regional Water Management Grant Programs	CA Department of Water Resources	IRWM grants fund planning, implementation, and disadvantaged community involvement of regionally-targeted water management programs.
Water	Nonpoint Source Pollutions Control Program	California Water Boards	Funds can be used to implement projects or programs that will help to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Projects that qualify for funding must be conducted within the state's nonpoint source pollution priority watersheds. Project proposals that address Total Maximum Daily Load implementation and those that address problems in impaired waters are favored in the selection process.
Water	Regional Conservation Partnership Program	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	This program provides an opportunity to work together with NRCS to implement on-the-ground conservation activities on a local scale, like land management/improvement/restoration, purchasing entity-held easements, reducing field runoff and nutrient loss, habitat improvement, and many more.
Water	State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program	CA Department of Food & Agriculture	This program provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible system components include (among others) soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy.
Water	California Water Conservation Fund Program	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	There are ten regional EQIP water conservation fund pools in California. The conservation goals and priorities for these fund pools are to promote improved irrigation efficiency and to protect ground and surface water quality.
Water	Irrigation System Evaluation (free), Soil Moisture Sensor System Cost-Share, and Ag Irrigation Efficiency Program	San Diego County Water Authority and Mission Resource Conservation District	Agricultural producers in San Diego County can receive up to $550 per acre or $5,000 per property to help cover the cost of irrigation upgrades recommended in a free irrigation evaluation. The program uses onsite evaluations, recommendations for efficiency improvements, and incentives and rebates to fund efficiency upgrades that help San Diego farms achieve water and cost savings.
Water	Waterscape Rebate Program	County of San Diego Department of Public Works	The Waterscape Rebate Program focuses on the installation of landscaping and water-wise features, which help you save water, save money, and beautify your home and garden. Rebates are available for residents, businesses and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.
Water	WaterSmartSD	San Diego County Water Authority	WaterSmartSD provides rebates for water-wise home landscaping, financial incentives for landscaping contractors, free on-site irrigation system evaluations for agriculture, cost-sharing and rebates for irrigation system improvements and soil moisture sensors, and more.
Energy	Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project	California Air Resources Board and CALSTART	Qualified small business landscape professionals starting today can purchase discounted zero-emission lawn mowers, blowers and other landscape equipment from approved dealers. $27 million in funding is available to upgrade equipment to zero-emission models.
Energy	Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program	CA Energy Commission	The California Energy Commission’s Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program (REAP) offers grants that encourage the installation of renewable energy technologies serving agricultural operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy	SDG&E Streamlined Ag Efficiency Program	Cascade Energy (contracted by San Diego Gas & Electric)	This program helps growers take advantage of available incentives and rebates for energy-efficient improvements, including greenhouse cooling and heating, ag refrigeration, irrigation pump efficiency, and more. You can receive cash incentives and rebates for more efficient equipment.
Energy	Clean Air for All Grant Program	San Diego County Air Pollution Control District	Encourages businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to swap their polluting heavy machinery and equipment for electric and low carbon emission alternatives. Funded by a variety of funding sources. (New grant period opening soon!)
Energy	Voucher Incentive Program	San Diego County Air Pollution Control District	A streamlined voucher program to quickly scrap and replace older heavy-duty diesel vehicles (2009 or older model year diesel engines) with a replacement heavy-duty vehicle (2013 or newer engine). Vouchers for eligible truck replacement projects range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Energy	National On-Farm Energy Initiative	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Financial assistance is available to inventory and analyze farm systems that use energy, identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency, and fund purchase, retrofit, or installation of energy-efficient equipment.
Energy	Value-Added Producer Grant	USDA Rural Development	Helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new biofuel and renewable-energy products, with priority given to beginning farmers, small and medium-sized farms, and family farms and ranches. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.
Energy	Rural Development Energy Programs	USDA Rural Development	This group of several programs offers funding to complete energy audits, provide renewable energy development assistance, make energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems. Apply for grants and loans to help convert older heating sources to cleaner technologies, produce advanced biofuels, install solar panels, build biorefineries, and much more.
Energy	Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program	CDFA Office of Farm to Fork	Grants available to fund energy efficient refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses, and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock California-grown fresh produce, nuts, dairy, meat, eggs, minimally processed, and culturally appropriate foods.
Energy	Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) (para español, haga clic en "español" a la derecha)	San Diego County Planning & Development Services	As authorized under California law, the County of San Diego currently participates in five different programs that allow for the financing of energy efficient projects, water efficiency projects and renewable energy upgrades that can be repaid through annual property tax bills. If you are interested in these programs, please contact any of the listed providers for more information. (For more energy-related resources provided by the County, click here.)
Energy	Guide to the Federal Investment Tax Credit for Commercial Solar Photovoltaics	US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy	The solar investment tax credit (ITC) is a tax credit that can be claimed on federal corporate income taxes for 30% of the cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system that is placed in service during the tax year. Learn more about qualifying factors and how to receive tax credits for installing a PV system on your property.
Energy	SDG&E Net Energy Metering Program	San Diego Gas & Electric	NEM allows utility customers to connect renewable energy projects to the grid and get credit on their energy bills for the energy they produce.
Energy	Net Energy Metering Aggregation Program (CalCAN info)	CA Public Utilities Commission	This program allows renewable energy produced on one meter to be credited against electricity use on other meters of the same customer, allowing growers to offset their energy usage without connecting a separate meter to each solar array.
Energy	Food Production Investment Program	CA Energy Commission	The food processing industry is one of the largest energy users in California. It is also a large producer of GHG emissions. The Food Production Investment Program will help producers replace high-energy-consuming equipment and systems with market-ready and advanced technologies and equipment. The program will also accelerate the adoption of state-of-the-art energy technologies that can substantially reduce energy use and costs and associated GHG emissions.
Climate	Air Grants and Funding	EPA Office of Air and Radiation	Funding announcements for projects and programs relating to air quality, transportation, climate change, indoor air and other related topics are found here.
Climate	Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program	CA Department of Conservation	SALC uses cap-and-trade dollars to fund agricultural land conservation through easements, strategy plans, and other projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Fire & Extreme Weather	CA Climate Investments Fire Prevention Grants Program (para español, haga clic en "Translate" a la derecha)	CAL FIRE	CAL FIRE aims to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities, while maximizing carbon sequestration in healthy wildland habitat and minimizing the uncontrolled release of emissions emitted by wildfires. The three qualifying projects and activities include those related to hazardous fuel reduction and removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees, fire prevention planning, and fire prevention education. Discuss the best grant for you with a CAL FIRE Forestry Assistance Specialist.
Fire & Extreme Weather	CA Forest Improvement Program (para español, haga clic en "Translate" a la derecha)	CAL FIRE	This focus of CFIP is to ensure adequate high quality timber supplies, related employment and other economic benefits, and the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of a productive and stable forest resource system for the benefit of present and future generations. Cost-share assistance is provided to private and public ownerships containing 20 to 5,000 acres of forest land. Program deadline is funded anew every two months, beginning December 2021. Discuss the best grant for you with a CAL FIRE Forestry Assistance Specialist.
Fire & Extreme Weather	Vegetation Management Program (para español, haga clic en "Translate" a la derecha)	CAL FIRE	The Vegetation Management Program (VMP) is a cost-sharing program (performed by CAL FIRE at no cost, not a grant) that focuses on the use of prescribed fire, and some mechanical means, for addressing wildland fire fuel hazards and other resource management issues on State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands. The program allows private landowners to enter into a contract with CAL FIRE to use prescribed fire to accomplish a combination of fire protection and resource management goals. When approved as a VMP project, CAL FIRE assumes the liability for conducting the prescribed burn.
Fire & Extreme Weather	CA Family Farmer Emergency Fund (para español, haga clic "Spanish" en la esquina superior izquierda)	Community Alliance with Family Farmers	The California Family Farmer Emergency Fund offers direct financial support to small-scale farmers impacted by disaster (COVID-19, wildfire, and drought-related crop loss) with the aim of helping them weather the storm. 50% of all disbursed funds are earmarked specifically for farmers of color, immigrant, and undocumented farmers.