The Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program is administered by CalRecycle, the recycling agency of the State of California. This program is designed to support the cleanup and prevention of illegal dumping on farm and ranch properties across the state. The grant operates under the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 17991(d) and is authorized under Section 48100 of the Public Resources Code (PRC). Funding is allocated to eligible entities to ensure that agricultural lands remain free from waste pollution, thereby improving environmental and public health.
The program is structured to offer four application cycles per fiscal year, subject to funding availability. Eligible applicants for this grant include cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and federally recognized Native American tribes as defined in PRC Section 48100(d)(1). To qualify for funding, the cleanup site must be located on a farm or ranch property, which is defined as land used for range or agricultural activities, including commercial livestock or crop production. Sites do not need to be actively engaged in sales or production but must be appropriately zoned or authorized for agricultural use.
Grant funding covers a variety of costs associated with waste cleanup and abatement efforts. Eligible expenses include administrative costs, disposal and recycling fees, equipment purchases, materials, personnel time, and site security measures to prevent future illegal dumping. The total annual funding available for the program is $1,000,000. Each applicant can receive up to $200,000 per fiscal year, with a maximum of $50,000 allocated per cleanup site.
Applications for the current grant cycle, FR86, are due by April 2, 2025. The next funding cycle, FR87, is expected to follow but does not yet have a specified deadline. Previous funding cycles include FR83 through FR86 for the fiscal year 2024-25, FR79 through FR82 for 2023-24, and FR76 through FR78 for 2022-23. Information on awarded grants for previous cycles can be accessed through the CalRecycle website.
Interested applicants must submit their proposals through the CalRecycle Grants Management System (GMS). Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) are typically posted on the CalRecycle funding page and the California Grants Portal. Additionally, applicants can subscribe to the Farm and Ranch Cleanup Grant Listserv for updates and announcements regarding the program.
For further details and inquiries, interested parties can contact the program administrators via email at farmandranch@calrecycle.ca.gov. Additional resources, including grant application forms and program fact sheets, are available on the CalRecycle website to assist applicants in preparing their submissions.
