San Diego County CA— San Diego County Farmers and Ranchers have the opportunity to apply for up to $50,000 in funds to develop healthy soils on their land. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced its Healthy Soils Program (HSP), which supports landowners in implementing practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or store carbon in soils, trees and shrubs. In total, $3.75 million in incentive funds is available, and the deadline for applications in September 19, 2017.
Interested San Diego farmers and ranchers are encouraged to attend a free technical workshop, which outlines the incentive program and provides assistance in completing grant applications. Sponsored by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County and the Solana Center, five workshops are scheduled throughout the county, some with Spanish availability. A flier with information about the workshops and links for registration is attached and included below. Information can also be found at: www.rcdsandiego.org or www.solanacenter.org/hsp. Workshop dates are:

“San Diego County contains more farms that another other county in the United States,” explains Sheryl Landrum, Executive Director of the Resource Conservation District. “This Healthy Soils Program is a unique opportunity for some of those farmers and ranchers to get paid to grow healthy soil, benefiting both themselves and the environment.”
The Healthy Soils Program was developed through a collaboration of state agencies and departments, led by the CDFA, to promote the development of healthy soils on California’s farm and ranchlands. Innovative farm and ranch management practices contribute to building adequate soil organic matter that can increase carbon sequestration and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. For more information about the program, visit: www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.