Library Grant Program

The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) Block Grant Pilot Program, facilitated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through the Solano County Farm Bureau, is designed to incentivize the implementation of conservation management practices across California. This program aligns with a broader mission to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) by providing financial support to growers and ranchers. The initiative is a component of the California Climate Investments (CCI), which has allocated $50 million towards these environmental objectives. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are California farmers, ranchers, agricultural business entities, and California Native Americans. Nonprofit organizations operating agricultural operations are also eligible, provided grant recipients are at least 18 years old. The program specifically targets producers in Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties, with a priority given to those qualifying as socially disadvantaged. The overarching impact goals are to foster statewide adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, leading to enhanced soil health, significant carbon sequestration, and a measurable reduction in atmospheric GHG emissions. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around implementing specific conservation management practices. These include mulching (compost), cover crops, reduced tillage, riparian, herbaceous, and woody plantings, windbreaks, filter strips, and whole orchard recycling. Projects must be located on agricultural operations within California, encompassing row crops, vineyards, field and tree crops, commercial nurseries, nursery stock production, greenhouse operations producing food crops or flowers, and grazing lands. Excluded activities include cannabis cultivation, the use of potted plants or non-soil growth media, and research and product development. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number of agricultural operations implementing soil health-improving practices, a quantifiable reduction in GHG emissions, and a documented increase in carbon sequestration across the state. The grant term is three years, with a maximum award of $100,000 per agricultural operation. This grant structure aims to provide substantial, sustained support to enable the successful adoption and maintenance of these beneficial practices, contributing directly to California's climate goals and fostering more resilient agricultural systems.