Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Clean Up and Abatement Grant Program

The Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program is administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), a state agency tasked with reducing waste and promoting sustainable waste management practices across California. Established under Section 48100 of the Public Resources Code and governed by the California Code of Regulations, Section 17991(d), this program is one of CalRecycle's targeted funding mechanisms to support environmental cleanup and land restoration efforts on agricultural lands. Through this program, the agency provides financial support to eligible public entities for cleaning up and preventing illegal solid waste dumping on farm and ranch properties. The primary objective of the program is to restore the integrity and functionality of agricultural lands by removing illegally dumped waste, enhancing public health, safety, and the environment. The program supports sites that qualify as "Farm and Ranch" properties—defined as range or agricultural land used for commercial livestock or crop production, or otherwise zoned or authorized for agricultural use. Notably, a site does not need to be currently active in production, as long as it retains zoning or authorization for agricultural use. This includes areas associated with public easements or right-of-ways, such as roads and utility corridors. To facilitate widespread access and continual cleanup efforts, CalRecycle runs four application cycles each fiscal year, dependent on available funding. The total program funding is capped at $1,000,000 annually. Within this framework, an individual applicant may receive up to $200,000 per fiscal year, and the maximum funding per cleanup site is limited to $50,000. The grant may be used for a range of eligible costs including administration, disposal and recycling fees, equipment and materials purchases, personnel time, and security measures to prevent further illegal dumping. These spending rules ensure that funds directly address both the immediate cleanup needs and long-term prevention measures. Eligible applicants for the program include cities, counties, Resource Conservation Districts, and federally recognized Native American Tribes, as defined in the Public Resources Code. CalRecycle emphasizes program access across all eligible jurisdictions to maximize the environmental and community impact. Applicants are encouraged to regularly monitor the CalRecycle website or the California Grants Portal for Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA), which are the official announcements that an application window is open. The application process is entirely digital and must be completed through CalRecycle’s Grants Management System (GMS). While the site does not detail specific application components, standard procedures typically involve submitting information about the site, proof of property status, estimates for cleanup, and a detailed budget. As of the current cycle, application materials for FR90 are due by April 4, 2026. The next application round, FR91, is set to open on April 5, 2026. Given the program's recurring structure and quarterly cycles, consistent engagement is crucial for applicants interested in future rounds. For inquiries, CalRecycle provides a dedicated contact email: [email protected]. The agency also maintains a Listserv for interested parties to receive timely updates about program changes, deadlines, and awards. Award announcements for recent cycles—including FR83 through FR90—are published on the CalRecycle website. This transparency helps prospective applicants understand the competitive landscape and identify the characteristics of successful projects.