Climate Smart Agriculture

Interested in implementing soil health practices? Apply to Restore Grant now!
CDFA Grants for dairies coming up soon
Upcoming events in the San Joaquin Valley
Flood Relief Resources
Leopold Conservation Awards

Download (472KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - March 2023

Mar 3, 2023

In this issue:

$20 Million in New Federal Funds Available now for Climate-Smart Ag thanks to IRA
California Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Kits provided by Xerces Society
U.S. Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack talks Climate-Smart Agriculture

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Climate Smart Newsletter - February 2023

Feb 24, 2023

In this issue:

The Small Farm Conference is back!
Flood Recovery Resources
SWEEP Southern Desert Region Pilot grant: 17 projects awarded

Download (324KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - January 2023

Jan 5, 2023

In this issue:

Irrigation Technology Workshop
Spray Safe 2023
UC SAREP Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems 2023-24 Small Grants Program
Statewide Pistachio Day

Download (1,212KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - December 2022

Dec 6, 2022

In this issue:

CDFA is currently accepting public comments on 2023 HSP and SWEEP block grants
Happy Healthy Soils Week!
FREP Grant Program
The 2022 Census of Agriculture is here

Download (1,216KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - November 2022

Nov 1, 2022

In this issue:

NRCS Conservation Funding Assistance Deadline is approaching
Free mulch at Bakersfield Compost Facility
Compost Connector – get compost at reduced prices

Download (1,121KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - October 2022

Oct 3, 2022

In this issue:

SWEEP and Healthy Soils Program: new grant framework proposed by CDFA
October Events in the San Joaquin Valley
Upcoming Ag Conferences
CDFA is Accepting Applications for the Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program

Download (1,229KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - September 2022

Sep 2, 2022

In this issue:

Climate Smart Agriculture: more relevant now than ever (and UCCE’s efforts in building farm resilience)
SWEEP: what you need to know before applying
Free webinars on Pump efficiency
Our Climate Smart Agriculture team is growing!

Download (252KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - August 2022

Aug 1, 2022

In this issue:

State budget increased for Climate-Smart Agriculture initiatives
$66 million awarded in Healthy Soils incentives grants – a new record!
Seeds for Bees: Healthier soils with cover crops – Deadline Aug 31st
New grants from San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

Download (1,365KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - July 2022

Jul 4, 2022

In this issue:

California Family Farm Emergency Fund
Seeds for Bees: Healthier soils with cover crops!
Advances in Pistachio Water Management Workshop
2022 Water Conservation Showcase

Download (1,142KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - June 2022

Jun 1, 2022

In this issue:

Funding opportunity from Western SARE
Free leak detection surveys for small water systems
Irrigation trainings from the Fresno State Center for Irrigation Technology

Download (1,266KB PDF)

Climate Smart Newsletter - May 2022

May 2, 2022

In this issue:

AMMP application deadline is right around the corner
Update on ELAP - Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised fish Program
Free irrigation trainings from the Fresno State Center for Irrigation Technology

Download (383KB PDF)

Take our Cover Crop Survey and be entered into our drawing to win a $50 gift card!

Mar 31, 2022

Complete our survey and help us get a better understanding of barriers and motivations associated with cover cropping in California
If you are one of the first 200 participants who complete the survey, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of ten $50 gift cards
Access to the survey: bit.ly/UCCEcovercrops
See attached for more details

Download (97KB PDF)

Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) 2022

Mar 18, 2022

Alternative Manure Management Program Now Accepting Applications
Submit applications until May 9th for grants up to $750,000
See attached for information and links to incentives program

Download (398KB PDF)

New SWEEP Guidelines

Aug 26, 2021

2021 SWEEP Request for Grant Applications
See attached for updates and links

Download (69KB PDF)

CDFA Programs Timeline Information

Aug 23, 2021

See attached for tentative CDFA timelines for the Healthy Soils Program and State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP)

Download (71KB PDF)

Community Education Specialist Position

Aug 17, 2021

Position available for Community Education Specialist
See attached for link to job posting

Download (161KB PDF)

Potatoes After Cover Crops Report

Aug 6, 2021

See attached Cover Crop report

Download (1,200KB PDF)

SWEEP and HSP July Funding Update

Jul 22, 2021

State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program Grant Funding Update
Healthy Soils Program Funding Update

Download (71KB PDF)

Cover Crop Webinar

May 6, 2021

Join our webinar May 18th for results of cover crop trials in Kern and Fresno Counties
Sign up for free registration

Download (283KB PDF)

Irrigation Trainings

Apr 26, 2021

Irrigation Trainings from the Fresno State Center for Irrigation Technology

Understanding a Pump Efficiency Test
Basic Pump Efficiency in English
Well and Pump Efficiency for Potable Water Systems

Download (69KB PDF)

California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

Jan 5, 2021

Grants up to $25,000 for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID including farmers and ranchers
Healthy Soils updates

Download (69KB PDF)

Climate Smart - August 2020

Aug 13, 2020

The California Farm Directory
Growing the Table
USDA Organic Transition Funds

Download (122KB PDF)

Climate Smart - July 2020

Jul 28, 2020

Small compost spreader available in November
Orchard cover crop webinar
Healthy Soils update

Download (232KB PDF)

Climate Smart - October 2020

Oct 22, 2020

Free Hedgerow Plants
Online Direct Marketing Workshop
Upcoming Webinars

Download (292KB PDF)

Cover Crop Field Day

Mar 13, 2020

Cover Crop Field Day - March 19, 2020
UC Shafter Research Farm
Event is free to anyone interested in soil health
See attached information with map and registration link

Download (188KB PDF)

Cover Crop Field Day

Feb 28, 2020

Cover Crop Field Day - March 19, 2020
UCCE Kern County Shafter Research Farm
Event is free to anyone interested in soil health
See attached information with map and registration link

Download (353KB PDF)

Cover Crop Field Day Cancellation

Mar 16, 2020

See attached cancellation notice

Download (63KB PDF)

Cover Crop Update, Upcoming Events and Webinars

Feb 2, 2021

Shafter cover crop trial update
Upcoming Events
Irrigation Webinars
Healthy Soils Webinars

Download (208KB PDF)

Cover Crop Updates - November 2020

Nov 23, 2020

Learn how to sell your products online in upcoming webinar
Cover crop trial in Shafter
Cover crop economic calculator tool

Download (218KB PDF)

Cover Crop Webinar - Date Change

Aug 7, 2020

Dated changed to Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - 9am-10:30am
See attached for registration link

Download (370KB PDF)

Cover Crop Webinar Series

Sep 4, 2020

First Webinar is September 9, 2020 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
See more on upcoming webinars on cover cropping and how to register

Download (369KB PDF)

Funding opportunity: Restore California

Feb 23, 2021

Grant Opportunity to Implement Healthy Soils Practices
Applications open March 1st to April 22nd - $25,000 max award
See attached for link and information

Download (152KB PDF)

Healthy Soils Incentives Grants Awarded

May 29, 2020

Announcement of recipients for this year's Healthy Soils Program

Download (59KB PDF)

Healthy Soils Program 2020

Feb 28, 2020

Healthy Soils Program Now Accepting Applications
Submit applications until June 26th for grants up to $100,000
See attached for information and links to incentives program

Download (195KB PDF)

Healthy Soils Program Deadline

Mar 27, 2020

The Healthy Soils Program filing deadline is 6/26/2020
2020 Climate Change Consortium for Specialty Crops

Download (13,129KB PDF)

Healthy Soils Program Workshops

Jan 2, 2020

The Healthy Soils Program gives grants up to $100,000
Two upcoming workshops for assistance with applications
February 13th in Bakersfield and February 14th in Tulare
See attached for information and registration links

Download (182KB PDF)

May 2020 Funding Updates

May 12, 2020

Healthy Soils Program
Great Plates Delivered
Small Business Emergency Loans
San Joaquin Orchards Soil Health Project
Farm Stand Map
See attached for information and links

Download (562KB PDF)

NEW FUNDING AVAILABLE - Soil Health Management in Orchards

Apr 23, 2020

Grant Funding Available through Partnering Agencies
Receive financial assistance to implement conservation practices and technical assistance for conservation plans
Applications Due May 31, 2020
See attached for Grant Information and Application Form

Download (776KB PDF)

October 2020 Updates

Oct 14, 2020

Healthy Soils Program
Upcoming Webinars
Case studies participation

Download (69KB PDF)

Shafter Cover Crop Trial Guide

Mar 24, 2020

Results from the cover crop trial at the Shafter research farm
Specific benefits and other considerations of 5 different cover crop mixes

Download (4,568KB PDF)

Soil Testing Protocol for HSP Recipients

Jun 24, 2020

Have you received an HSP Grant?
See information regarding soil testing to implement practices

Download (116KB PDF)

SWEEP Information and Online Irrigation Training

Jun 8, 2020

Helpful SWEEP information
Irrigation Water Management workshop
See attached for information and link

Download (183KB PDF)

Soil Health Study Seeking Almond, Grape, and Vegetable Grower Participants

May 21, 2020

Opportunity to participate in a research trial and be compensated for management costs
American Farmland Trust is seeking growers to implement field trials
See attached for information

Download (60KB PDF)

Upcoming Cover Crop Webinars

Apr 1, 2021

Learn about Cover Cropping in the San Joaquin Valley
See attached for information and registration links

Download (275KB PDF)

SWEEP Workshop

Oct 10, 2019

State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program
Project Funding up to $100,000
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - UCCE Kern County
1031 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield
See flyer for information and registration - No cost to attend

Download (120KB PDF)