Try implementing conservation practices by applying for funding through this California Department of Food and Agriculture incentive grant.

The Healthy Soils Program incentive grant provides funding to implement a variety of conservation management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gases. This program is part of the California Healthy Soils Initiative, which is focused on California's farmlands and ranchlands, and improving plant health and crop yield, water retention ability, erosion reduction, and improving wildlife habitat and biodiversity of the soil. Some eligible practices include:

• Mulching
• Compost Application
• Cover Cropping
• Hedgerow Establishment
• Prescribed Grazing

Click HERE for a list of all eligible practices.

These practices can have multiple impacts on your farming operation, such as increasing the organic matter in the soil, attracting pollinators to your fields, reducing erosion, and increasing biomass.

In past funding years, eligible applicants can request up to $100,000 to implement a healthy soils project over the course of three years. Eligible applicants include California farmers, ranchers, agricultural business entities, California Native Americans, and non-profit organizations as agriculture operations. Projects must be located on California agricultural operations, which is defined as, “row, vineyard, field and tree crops, commercial nurseries, nursery stock production, and greenhouse operations producing food crops, or flowers as defined in Food and Agricultural Code section 77911.” Projects can also be located on grazing lands as well.

Conservation management practices aid in building resilience to climate change and allows for farmers and ranchers to continually improve their soil and yield. Interested in this funding opportunity? Reach out to your local Community Education Specialist: