Healthy Soils Program Block Grant

The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Block Grants are administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through its Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability. These programs are funded through Proposition 4, the Climate Bond approved by California voters in November 2024, which allocates significant funding toward climate resilience, water efficiency, and sustainable agricultural practices. The block grant structure is designed to leverage intermediary organizations such as nonprofits, tribal governments, and public agencies to deliver funding and technical assistance directly to agricultural producers. The purpose of these block grants is to expand adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices by providing both financial assistance for on-farm projects and technical assistance to ensure effective implementation. The Healthy Soils Program focuses on practices that improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The SWEEP program emphasizes improvements in irrigation systems and water efficiency to enhance drought resilience and reduce energy use. Applicants must propose projects that align with these goals while addressing the specific needs of their service areas. Funding is provided in large block grants ranging from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 dollars per award. A minimum of 80 percent of each award must be used to fund on-farm projects, while up to 20 percent may be used for project administration and technical assistance activities. An additional 3 percent for administration may be allowed if at least 40 percent of funded projects benefit socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The total anticipated funding is approximately 50 million dollars for HSP and 34 million dollars for SWEEP. The performance period for grants is up to four years, including project implementation and reporting. Eligibility is limited to organizations capable of acting as Block Grant Recipients, including public agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and certain utilities or districts. These lead applicants must coordinate with Technical Assistance Providers to support farmers and ranchers, who serve as the ultimate beneficiaries. Eligible beneficiaries include individuals or entities managing agricultural land in California, including sole proprietors, agricultural businesses, tribes, and nonprofit agricultural operations. Partnerships are strongly encouraged to expand geographic reach and technical expertise. The application process follows a competitive two-phase structure. Applicants must first submit a Concept Proposal, which outlines the service area, need, project approach, and alignment with Climate Bond goals. Concept proposals are due May 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a Full Proposal, which includes detailed workplans, budgets, performance indicators, and supporting documentation. The process includes technical review, administrative review, and risk assessment before final funding decisions are made. Evaluation criteria focus on the clarity of need, strength of the proposed approach, alignment with climate and equity goals, and organizational capacity. Special emphasis is placed on serving disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, with specific funding targets tied to these populations. Applicants must demonstrate measurable outcomes and provide ongoing reporting throughout the grant period, including performance indicators, site visits, and case studies. Applicants may receive technical assistance from the University of California Climate-Smart Agriculture Program during proposal development. Questions can be submitted to program-specific email addresses, and informational webinars are provided during the application period. Final awards are subject to grant agreement execution, financial review, and compliance with state regulations.

Emphasize service to disadvantaged farmers; demonstrate strong partnerships; align with climate goals and measurable outcomes