Healthy Soils Program

Enrollment Closed for the Healthy Soils Block Grant Program

Enrollment for the Healthy Soils Block Grant Program is now closed. We have reached our funding limit of $4.25 million allocated for on-farm projects. Finalized awarded applicants will be posted once approved.

Got questions? Contact Margaret Honig, Administrative Lead, at (916) 561-5504 or email at mhonig@cfbf.com

Stay informed about the program by registering below.

Stay informed about the program

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Recent webinar hosted on March 26, 2024

PowerPoint presentation about program, its practices, and application process

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with and Select Management Practices

To begin with enrollment process, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the conservation management practices recommended for this grant program. Below, you will find links to documents on these practices. At the bottom of the page, under "Eligible Practices," you will find a quick guide about each practice. Review them to determine which management practice(s) best suit your citrus farm.

Guideline:

Projects must implement at least one of the practices listed under the Conservation Management Practices.
Projects may include multiple practices within the same field (APN #) except for overlapping practices.
Projects may include multiple fields within the same citrus farm.
We strongly encourage selecting practices that are new to you or have not been previously implemented to the field (#APN). For instance, if you have implemented cover crops to your citrus orchard, perhaps choose a different practice or field (#APN) for implementation.

List of Conservation Management Practices

Appendix A: Practice Payment Scenarios, Rates, Requirements, and Implementation Guidelines

The Healthy Soils Block Program will not incentivize practices that overlap with other practices on the same field (APN #). View the "Overlap Practices and Example Implementation" to select practices that do not overlap.

Overlap Practices and Example Implementation

Step 2: Understand Application Process

The purpose of the enrollment application is to determine applicant's eligibility, commitment to conservation management practices, and interest in enhancing soil health.

The application process for our program is straightforward and designed to be manageable for citrus growers. The application operates on a first-come, first-served basis, but with a special emphasis on prioritizing veterans, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFRs), and women. The steps include enrollment, a review committee evaluating applications, a preliminary selection phase, CDFA approval, announcement of awarded applicants, onboarding, and the start of project implementation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funds last. Print Application Process

Provided there are funds remaining, no eligible applicant will be denied access to Healthy Soils Program (HSP) services or funding consideration based on their social identity.

Step 3: Enroll

The enrollment is closed.

Step 4: Sign-up to Stay Informed

Email is the primary form of communication at the California Bountiful Foundation, so please ensure that the foundation has the correct email to reach out to you about your application status and Healthy Soils Program news.

Sign-up Here

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Program Summary:

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has allocated $5 million of the Healthy Soils Block Grant Program to the California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC) in collaboration with California Farm Bureau (CAFB) and Xerces Society. The California Farm Bureau through its 501(c)(3) science and research nonprofit, the California Bountiful Foundation, will oversee all administrative functions, and financial functions, of this project including reporting and on-farm project verifications. The Xerces Society will provide technical expertise in pollinating plants for hedgerows and other similar management practices.

This grant program supports citrus growers in adopting conservation management practices that improve soil health and sequester carbon. Citrus growers will receive on demand assistance at no cost through the implementation and verification process of their on-farm projects. The program will fund 20-45 on-farm projects over three years, focusing on practices like planting pollinator hedgerows, cover crops, compost application, mulching, whole orchard recycling, and windbreak establishment. Funding for each on-farm project may receive up to $200,000, depending on the project's size and the number of practices implemented.

Program's Objectives

Enhance climate change resilience in citrus sector.
Aid citrus growers on environmental stewardship and fulfill sustainability demands from buyers and consumers.
Advocate and provide financial incentives for conservation management practices that increase soils carbon storage, reduce greenhouse gases, improve soil retention, and bolster pollinator populations.
Offer guidance to citrus growers on sustainable farming practices through pollinator hedgerows and other management practices.
Allocate 25% of grant funds towards supporting veterans, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFRs), and women.
- SDFRS are those groups facing racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice regardless of individual qualities. This includes African American, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

Eligible Orchard Practices

Compost Application Filter Strip Nutrient Management Whole Orchard Recycling

Conservation Cover Hedgerow Planting Residue and Tillage Management- No-Till Windbreak/ Shelterbelt Establishment

Cover Crop Mulching Residue and Tillage Management-Reduced-Till

Why Citrus Growers?

The citrus sector in California contributes approximately $2 billion annually to the economy and plays a crucial role in job creation and supports agriculture and environmental sustainability efforts. This grant program will help citrus growers in reducing costs associated with conservation management practices, offering insights into effective pest and disease management while protecting pollinators. Citrus growers involved in this program will make meaningful contributions towards pollinator protection, environmental stewardship, climate change resilience, and meet sustainable demands by consumers for citrus production.