CDFA Healthy Soils Program
What is CDFA's Healthy Soils Program?
HSP is a financial incentives program, for Californian growers and ranchers, which promotes agricultural practices that aim to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Healthy Soils Program is funded from the State's cap and trade also known as the California Climate Investments and the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for all Act of 2018. This round of the Healthy Soils Program received $50 million from the State General Fund and $25 million from the California Climate Investments for the Healthy Soils Program (SB 170, Chapter 240, Statutes of 2021) authorized by the Budget Act of 2021.
Apply for up to $100,000 in grant funds for practices that improve soil health and sequester carbon.
Overview of the Healthy Soils Program
For the HSP, the California Department of Food and Agriculture can grant up to $100,000 to an individual grower or rancher that owns or leases land (note: the lease must be longer than 3 years) in order to implement practices such as compost, cover crops, hedgerow planting, and more - list of eligible practices on CDFA HSP website.
The Healthy Soils Program is a reimbursement grant that lasts 3 years. Awarded growers/ranchers must in advanced pay the costs of their proposed practices that improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are reimbursed accordingly, after their practices are verified by CDFA representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for Healthy Soils Program funds? California agricultural operations who will have control of the land during the duration of the grant can apply.
What are the exclusions from applying to the Healthy Soils Program?
You cannot apply for practices other than those that are listed on the Request for Grant Applications.
You cannot apply for practices that you have implemented in the previous year.
You cannot apply if the practices will be implemented in potted plants or other plant growth media.
Which practices are eligible for funding? Some of the practices that are eligible for funding include: cover cropping, reduced-till, compost application and conservation plantings. The complete list of practice can be found in the Request for Grant Applications on pages 30-50.
How long is the project duration? The project duration is three years long starting in 2022 and ending in 2025. Depending on the practice chosen, you will likely implement the practice once a year for three years.
What information or documents do I need to apply?
A list of practices you wish to apply for, examples include: cover crop, compost, hedgerow planting, no-till, windbreak, and mulch application.
Information regarding the last three years of cropping history and crop management practices. The proposed plan of crops for the project during the next three years
If the farm land leased, a statement signed from your landowner stating that you will have control over the land for the duration of the grant.
