The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation announced $13.2 million in funding to support 103 Conservation Agriculture Planning Grant Program applicants.
Recipients of funding include farmers, ranchers and tribes partnered with qualified experts in resource conservation districts, universities, non-profits, cooperatives and groundwater sustainability agencies. The groups will collaborate to develop agriculture conservation programs to meet producer needs with science-based practices.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross called the program a “crucial step in offering assistance for farmers and ranchers who want to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture practices.”
Promoting sustainability in agriculture and the environment, supporting agricultural adaptation to climate change impacts and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions are all priorities in working towards the CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture goals.
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The Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program was established by the Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 170, Skinner) with an allocation of $17 million. Of the total, up to $14.7 million can be provided to applicants with the remainder of the funds supporting research and technical assistance.
Maximum individual awards may be up to $250,000 for a 24-year period. Some of the largest financial recipients include Innovative Ag Services, American Farmland Trust, Wild Farm Alliance, CCOF Foundation, Paso Robles CAB Collective, Resource Conservation Foundation of Greater San Diego and Sentry Ag Services.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the development and expansion of conservation projects,” Ross added.
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