Climate Smart Agriculture Program
Contact Your Community Education Specialist
What is Climate Smart Ag?
Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) addresses the risk that the agriculture industry faces due to changing climate conditions. It encompasses management practices that increase soil carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve on-farm efficiencies, and promote sustainable land practices. CSA promotes increasing agricultural productivity, building resiliency to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Please complete the interest survey link below to be included on Heather's mailing list for notices when the grants become available.
Grant Updates
Climate Smart Agriculture Grant Update!
Grants available to growers and ranchers in the Yuba-Sutter area:
- Chico State - Climate Smart Grant North Valley Food Hub for Climate-Smart Agriculture NOW OPEN (DEADLINE DEC 22ND)
- USDA FSA (Please see Resources above for a list o specialty crops) Application deadline is January 8, 2025
- Colusa Indian Community Council (CICC) Block Grant for SWEEP & HSP - CLOSED Awarding Announcements in November 2024.
- Project Apis m. - Seeds for Bees Grant -
Discount for seeds to be used in addition to HSP FLYER
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Zero Foodprint - "Restore" Grant -Additional money to help with Healthy Soils Practices - OPENS JANUARY 15TH, 2025 (can be used with CDFA grants.)
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Zero Foodprint - "Compost Connector" Grant. Additional discount on compost (can be used with CDFA grants.)
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CDFA's Alternate Manure Management Program (AMMP) - Closed
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USDA Farm Service Agency - Beginning Farmers and Ranchers https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/beginning-farmers-and-ranchers-loans/index
- Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program - Closed October 23, 2024
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AgWest Farm Credit - New Producers Grant - Closed for this Year 2024. TBD check back around March 2025. However, check out requirement and start preparing now.
- Farmers and Ranchers Mentorship Program - Mentors can get $50/hr. up to 6 hrs. for mentoring beginning farmers and ranchers. Mentors must have 10 years of experience to mentor someone.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Heather Montgomery @530-822-7515 or email hmontgomery@ucanr.edu.
Local Events
2025 California Small Farm Conference - Chico State University Farm. One week. Over 60 events. Virtual meeting and in-person gatherings. February 23 - 28th Yuba-Sutter Counties gathering at Chico State Farm Pavilion Feb 28th 3:00p - 6:00pm. Register now! It will be a great time to network.
Resources
University of Chico State Regenerative Agriculture https://www.csuchico.edu/regenerativeagriculture/
CAFF CSA - Comprehensive Literature
Selecting Cover Crops for California Annual Crop System
Cover Cropping Considerations in California Annual Crop Rotations
What is a Specialty Crop?https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop
CDFA Climate Smart Programs
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Funding for non-digester related manure management practices that will result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Projects can be funded up to $750,000 and could consist of pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage (such as compost bedded pack barns); and solid separation or conversion from flush to scrape in conjunction with some form of drying or composting of collected manure. Recipients are: dairy and livestock operators. |
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The HSP Incentives Program provides funding for practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These projects can be awarded up to $100,000 for farmers and ranchers and can include; compost application, range planting, and hedgerow planting. |
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Funding to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible projects could include; soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives, and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy. These projects can be funded up to $200,000. |
CA CSA Team BLOG
The BLOG below is written by the Climate Smart Agriculture Team which spans all over the different regions of California. In California the temperature, terrain and soil are vastly different in many parts of the state, so topics are being written according to what is being grown in that region. It's a great way to see how other farmers and ranchers are thriving with all of today's challenges.
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Meet Michael: Community Education Specialist
Michael Jaquez is one of our newer Community Education Specialist with the Climate Smart Agriculture team at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Based in San Diego County, he is excited to create connections...
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What's that Smell?!
When it comes to animal housing, manure management requires thought and consideration. Much of this decision depends on the size of the operation, species of animal, and the overall goals of your farming practices. Deep bedding models have become more...
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Welcome to our new CES in Tulare and Kern counties, Danielle Duyst!
Danielle Duyst is our newest Community Education Specialist with the UC ANR Climate Smart Agriculture Program based in Tulare and Kern Counties. She is excited to support farmers throughout the Central Valley and assist in implementing sustainable farm...
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Sheep in the Vineyard?
Why integrate livestock into your cropping system? Historically, farmers raised both crops and livestock because they are mutually beneficial. In an article titled, “Integrating Livestock and Crops: Improving Soil, Solving Problems, Increasing...
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Spotlight on SWEEP - NAPA Farms, LLC
In 2021, Nav Athwal, of NAPA Farms, LLC received funding through the CDFA Statewide Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). He has 140 acres of young pistachio trees in Merced County, and wanted to build an irrigation system as efficiently as...