Climate Smart Agriculture
Sustainability and efficiency on the farm go hand-in-hand as California's farmers and ranchers continue to do more with less thanks to innovation and technology. Agriculture also plays a role in offsetting emissions beyond the farm gate. From climate-smart farming practices to voluntary management of forests, grasslands, wetlands and croplands, California’s farmers and farmers are not only reducing their footprint, but also are actively absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
Farm Bureau believes that adaptation strategies and tools can be utilized to face the challenges of more inclement weather and a changing climate. Appropriate funding and emphasis should be given to agricultural research. Having the technology, traits and production practices will be more beneficial than burdening the economy with additional regulations
The State of California has offered a host of grant programs to help farmers deploy conservation management practices on farms or ranches. Below is a list of some of those programs:
Healthy Soils Program-- The Healthy Soils Program seeks to promote the development of healthy soils on California's farmlands and ranchlands. The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects. The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices.
Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP)
The Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This includes things like pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage such as compost bedded pack barns; and solid separation or conversion from flush to scrape in conjunction with some form of treatment or storage of collected manure.
Conservation Agricultural Planning Grants Program (CAPGP)
The Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program (CAPGP) will fund the development of a plan that will help farmers and ranchers identify actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, further environmental stewardship on farms and ranches and ensure agricultural food security into the future. CDFA - OEFI - Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program (ca.gov)
Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP)
The Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. CDFA - OEFI - Dairy Digester (ca.gov)
State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP)
The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) 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. CDFA - OEFI - State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (ca.gov)
The Sustainable California Grown Cannabis Pilot Program (SCGC Pilot Program) was created to improve the state’s access to data related to outdoor cannabis cultivation to formulate standards and best management practices that can be used by cultivators statewide. One of the primary goals of regulating cannabis in California is to help address many environmental issues associated with its cultivation. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emission (GHG), soil contamination, pesticide use, and gaining efficiencies in water use. CDFA - OEFI - Sustainable California Grown Cannabis Pilot Program
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