Name:

Healthy Soils Initiative (HSI)

Date:

Established April 2015

Legislation:

Created by Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive Order B-30-15, authorized under the Cannella Environmental Farming Act of 1995, Cal. Food & Agric. Code §§ 560–70, with Healthy Soils Program added to that Act (as amended in 2016 by SB 859). Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 directs the California Department of Food and Agriculture to “enhance soil health and biodiversity through the Healthy Soils Initiative”. California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 38500-38599 was amended in 2022 by AB1757 to mandate that emission targets be set for Nature-Based Climate Solutions on Natural and Working Lands.

Sponsors:

N/A

Agencies Involved:

Lead agency: California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

California Air and Resources Board (CARB)

California Department of Conservation (CDOC)

California Department of General Services (DGS)

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR)

California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) 

California Water Boards

Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)

Rule Making Processes:

• Administered by CDFA

Start-up action items and long term goals for HSI listed here

Description:

The Healthy Soils Initiative (HSI) was conceived as a way to help achieve California’s ambitious climate action goals while supporting farmers participating in sustainable farming practices. The initiative officially recognized the importance and many benefits of building soil health. 

It was launched by Governor Jerry Brown in 2015 through Executive Order. The initiative brought together a variety of government agencies, led by California’s Department of Food and Agriculture, to build a program designed to promote soil stewardship. This initiative led to the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). HSI is used almost interchangeably with HSP (for example the original web page for Healthy Soils Initiative now automatically redirects to Healthy Soils Program’s landing page).

Soil Health Definitions:

“Health of agricultural soil relates to its ability to build and retain adequate soil organic matter via the activity of plants and soil organisms.”

Stated Goals:

1. Protect and restore soil organic matter in California’s soils.
2. Identify sustainable and integrated financing opportunities to facilitate healthy soils.
3. Provide for research, education and technical support to facilitate healthy soils.
4. Increase efficiencies in government to support the enhancement of soil health on public and private lands.
5. Promote interagency coordination and collaboration to support soils and related state goals.

Program Required Measurements:

N/A

Tools & Guidance:

N/A

Founding Source/s:

The HSI identified funding sources that were then implemented in the Healthy Soils Program which as put into statute in 2016 (see below).

Funding Type/s:

See Healthy Soils Program

Practices Eligible for Funding:

N/A

N/A

Name:

Healthy Soils Program (HSP)

Date:

Passed in September 2016

Launched 2017

Legislation:

Created by SB-859 Public resources: greenhouse gas emissions and biomass.

Codified in Cal. Food & Agric. Code §§ 568-569 (2019)

Sponsors:

Governor’s Executive Order

Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review

Lois Wolk, California State Senate, Dem. 3rd Senate District, 

Agencies Involved:

• California Air Resources Board (CARB)
• California Department of Conservation (CDOC)
• California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) 
• California Department of General Services (DGS)
• California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
• California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
• California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
• California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)
• California Water Boards
• Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP)
• Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)
• HSP Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Rule Making Processes:

The program is administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and advised by the Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP)

The applicant must submit an online application which undergoes an administrative and technical review

Grant solicitations including all requirements: 

1. 2023 HSP request for grant applications for demonstration projects
2. 2023 HSP request for grant applications for the incentives program

Description:

The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) is designed to generate and steward healthy soils across the state as a means to reach California’s climate and conservation goals. Senate Bill SB-859 effectively codified the Healthy Soils Initiative which was created by Executive Order. 

HSP supports soil health by providing farmers and ranchers with financial assistance as well as outreach and educational materials for improving soil health and carbon sequestration. Specifically, HSP provides aid to farmers and ranchers to a) increase on-site carbon sequestration, b) lower GHG emissions from production, and c) accelerate the adoption of beneficial practices. HSP has two main branches: the Incentives Program and Demonstration Projects. 

HSP Incentives Program:

Creates and administers financial incentives to farmers and ranchers to implement conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs), and improve soil health. 

HSP Demonstration Projects:

Collects data on conservation management practices and conducts a cost-benefit analysis for their implementation. Farmers and ranchers apply for grants to help implement the projects. The demonstration project types are broken into two categories: Type A projects require emissions data collection while Type B projects do not. HSP is run by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Although the funding amount has varied over the years, the vast majority of the program is funded through proceeds from the sale of permits under California’s Cap-and-Trade policy (known as California Climate Investments).

Soil Health Definitions:

“Soils that enhance their continuing capacity to function as a biological system, increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity, and result in net long-term greenhouse gas benefits.”

Stated Goals:

Protect and restore soil organic matter in California’s soils.

Provide for research, education and technical support to facilitate healthy soils.

Provide financial assistance to implement conservation practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Program Required Measurements:

• The Incentives Program requires grant recipients to report soil organic matter before implementing new practices and two years after implementation.
  • Other measurements required are GHG emissions reduction benefits, soil health and environmental co-benefits, producers with a conservation plan, and location in relation to disadvantaged communities. 
  • Exact metrics are dependent on the practices implemented. A full list of eligible practices and their verification requirements can be found here.
• All grant recipients for demonstration projects must measure soil organic matter (SOM) before implementing the practice and once every three years after implementation.
  • Type A projects must also collect emissions measurements and crop yield analysis (these measurements are optional for Type B projects) 
  • Data on water and air quality, economic analysis, and other co-benefits are optional for both Type A and B

An example of the request for applications can be found here

Tools & Guidance:

COMET-Planner evaluates potential carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from specific conservation practices. This is the main tool used to assess the impact of HSP.

CA LANDS provides the CA Protected Areas Database, the CA Conservation Easement Database, and mapping of groundwater conservation

CDFA protocol for soil carbon sampling 

CA NRCS protocol for soil carbon sampling

CA NRCS Carbon Farm Planning Guidance

Founding Source/s:

See https://calclimateag.org/hsp/

California Climate Investments (CCI): funded from the sale of permits under California’s Cap-and-Trade policy (California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 38500-38599 (2019)) through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) allocations:

• 2017: $7.5 million 
• 2018: $5 million 
• 2019: $28 million

In 2018, CDFA was granted an additional $10 million in funding for HSP through a natural resources bond: California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for all Act of 2018 (Cal. Pub Res Code §§ 80134(b)). 

Funding Type/s:

Grant program to farmers and ranchers

• Funding for the Incentives Program is based on a flat rate per acre per practice with a maximum of $100,000 per application. 

For Demonstration Projects, funding for Type A maxes out at $250,000 per application and funding for Type B maxes out at $100,000 per application.

Practices Eligible for Funding:

• Cropland Management Practices
  • Cover Crops
  • Conservation Crop Rotation 
  • Mulching
  • Nutrient Management (15% reduction in fertilizer application only) 
  • No-Till 
  • Reduced Till 
  • Strip Cropping 
  • Compost Application Practices 
• Herbaceous Cover Establishment on Cropland Practices
  • Conservation Cover 
  • Contour Buffer Strips 
  • Field Border 
  • Filter Strip 
  • Forage and Biomass Planting 
  • Grassed Waterway 
  • Herbaceous Wind Barrier 
  • Riparian Herbaceous Cover 
  • Vegetative Barriers 
  • Woody Cover Establishment on Cropland Practices 
  • Alley Cropping 
  • Hedgerow Planting 
  • Multi-story Cropping 
  • Riparian Forest Buffer 
  • Tree/Shrub Establishment 
  • Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
• Grazing Lands Practices
  • Compost Applications 
  • Prescribed Grazing 
  • Range Planting 
  • Silvopasture

The definition of terms must be clear in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the intended aims of the program

Farmers must be at the decision-making table in order to earn their support. 

Funding for, and an emphasis on, technical assistance is critical to successful program applications and implementation of practices.

Cultivating a team of producer-champions can help educate legislators and stakeholders through their farms and experience.

Emphasize the many co-benefits of soil carbon, including water retention and nutrient cycling to provide evidence for efficiency.

Work with local chapters of the Farm Bureau and local Conservation Districts to understand the needs and challenges of producers on the ground and to provide education, technical assistance, and political support respectively.

Coordinate application requirements, funding streams, definitions, etc. in all related bills to accelerate the passage.

Advisory boards (such as the Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel) help to build support, manage stakeholder relationships, and provide a point of intervention for advocacy groups in the rulemaking process. Refer to the text of Cal. Food and Agric Code §§ 568(b) (2019) for guidance regarding the inclusion of expertise from scientists, farmers (including organic) and technical advisors. 

It is important to include farmers’ voices, not just advocacy organizations. CalCAN organized comment letters, meetings with legislators, farm tours, written profiles, and more with actual growers to successfully pass legislation

Name:

Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling (AB 1826)

Date:

Signed into law October 2014 

AB 1826 Implementation Timeline

• April 2016: Businesses generating 8 cubic yards per week of food waste 
• January 2017: Businesses generating 4 cubic yards per week of food waste 
• January 2019: Businesses generating 4 cubic yards per week of solid waste 
• 2020: If there isn’t a 50% reduction in organic waste from 2014 levels by 2020, businesses generating 2 cubic yards per week of solid waste will have composting requirements

Legislation:

Created by AB 1826: Solid waste: organic wasteCodified in Cal. Pub Res Code §§ 42649.8-42649.87 (2019)

Sponsors:

Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro

Agencies Involved:

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

California Department of Resources Recycling & Recovery (CalRecycle)

Local governmental agencies responsible for waste collection

Rule Making Processes:

Overseen by CalRecycle and local governmental agencies

Rules-based on the amount of organic waste businesses generate

Description:

Assembly Bill 1826 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills by recycling organic waste. The Bill was a compromise between industry and advocacy groups to avoid the California Air and Resources Board (CARB) strictly regulating the industry. Instead of regulation based on emissions reduction, regulation is based on organic waste diversion. 

The Bill requires businesses to separate organic waste and sign up for organics recycling depending on the amount of organic waste they produce in a week. The Bill includes phases of implementation in which the requirements get stricter, requiring more businesses to participate. AB 1826 is an unfunded mandate, with the expectation that local government agencies will collect a fee from organic waste collection to cover the cost of implementation. The Department of Resources Recycling & Recovery (CalRecycle) will assess each jurisdiction’s organics recycling program on an annual basis to determine if they are in compliance with AB 1826.

Soil Health Definitions:

N/A

Stated Goals:

To help achieve California’s recycling goals by diverting organic waste from landfills

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by organic waste rotting in landfills to help achieve California’s climate goals

To increase the production of compost and mulch which has beneficially uses in agriculture

Program Required Measurements:

Local jurisdictions will measure the recovery rate of organic waste based on waste characterization studies

Tools & Guidance:

Organics Management Infrastructure Planning Calculator

Biocycle: Find your closest composter tool

Founding Source/s:

AB 1826 is an unfunded mandate.

Funding Type/s:

N/A

Practices Eligible for Funding:

N/A

Avoid the “chicken and egg” mentality by accounting for all needs in a piece of legislation.  For example, it would be difficult to invest in creating composting facilities without demonstrating the ability to collect sufficient organic waste. Instead, generate legislation that assures both conditions are met.

Name:

Short Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP): Organic Waste Methane Emissions Reductions

Date:

Signed into law September 2016

Legislation:

Created by SB 1383: Short-lived climate pollutants: methane emissions: dairy and livestock: organic waste: landfills

Codified in Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 39730.5-39730.8 (2019), Cal. Pub Res Code §§ 42652-42654 (2019)

Sponsors:

Senator Ricardo Lara

Agencies Involved:

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

California Department of Resources Recycling & Recovery (CalRecycle)

Rule Making Processes:

History of the rulemaking process

Description:

Senate Bill 1383 aims to further the progress made by the Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling Program (created by AB 1826) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills by recycling organic waste. The Bill was another compromise between industry and advocacy groups to avoid the California Air and Resources Board (CARB) strictly regulating industry. It effectively codifies CARB’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, but instead of regulation based on emissions reduction, regulation is based on organic waste diversion. 

SB 1383 establishes various methane emissions reduction targets to achieve the statewide goal of reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). It includes a goal of 50% reduction in the disposal of organic waste by 2020, a 75% reduction by 2025, and a 20% edible food recovery goal by 2025.

It is an unfunded mandate, with the expectation that local government agencies will collect a fee from organic waste collection to cover the cost of implementation. SB 1383 is overseen by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Soil Health Definitions:

N/A

Stated Goals:

To reduce methane emissions from landfills as a part of California’s broader goals of reducing the emissions of short-lived climate pollutants 

To help achieve California’s goal of recycling 75% of the waste stream by 2020 

To increase the production of compost and mulch which has beneficially uses for agriculture (specifically for soil health and water conservation). 

Program Required Measurements:

• In the process of finalizing measurements – CalRecycle SB 1383 regulations for review

Follow updates here

Tools & Guidance:

Biocycle: Find your closest composter tool

Founding Source/s:

SB 1383 is an unfunded mandate that is expected to be funded through rate increases 

There are grants available to compost and food recovery organizations which have already reached over $60 million.

Funding Type/s:

State facility grants, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Loan Program

Practices Eligible for Funding:

N/A

A compromise with industry was achieved by shifting away from direct and immediate regulation of greenhouse gas emissions to setting future targets and allowing a time period of voluntary action supported through new state funding programs. 

A lower target of 75% reduction as opposed to the initial reduction goal of 90% was agreed upon to allow for more lead time to manage for organics conversion to compost as opposed to incineration or mechanical biological treatment. That is because it a) is easier to hold people accountable to a smaller number and b) allows for more time to be invested in developing and achieving strategies that contain multiple steps as opposed to single technology solutions.

Name:

Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP)

Date:

Authorizing legislation was signed in 2016. AMMP was launched in 2017 

Legislation:

Preceded by Senate Bill 859

Sponsors:

Introduced by Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review

Agencies Involved:

• Administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

Air Resources Board (CARB) assist in creating AMMP Benefits and Calculator Tool

Rule Making Processes:

The rulemaking process is created and overseen by the CDFA. 

Grant applications receive an administrative, financial, and technical review.

• Presentation outlining specifics on the rules and criteria for the grant process

Description:

Senate Bill 859 mandates a 40% reduction in livestock methane emissions by 2030 and created the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) as one method to achieve that goal. The program was created to support the dairy industry voluntarily reduce emissions as a part of a statewide effort to address methane and other short-lived greenhouse gas emissions. 

AMMP incentivizes dairy producers to reduce methane emissions by providing grants for non-digester manure management projects as well as for demonstration projects for new technologies, practices, and advancing farmer-to-farmer education. The program is run by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and receives funding through California Climate Investments (CCI).

Soil Health Definitions:

To provide grants to dairy and other livestock producers to support their transition to manure handling and storage strategies that reduce methane emissions. These strategies include composting manure, shifting from a liquid flush system to dry scraping, advanced solids separation, and improved pasture management. 

To help achieve California’s broader goals of reducing the emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (such as methane)

Stated Goals:

To provide grants to dairy and other livestock producers to support their transition to manure handling and storage strategies that reduce methane emissions. These strategies include composting manure, shifting from a liquid flush system to dry scraping, advanced solids separation, and improved pasture management. 

To help achieve California’s broader goals of reducing the emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (such as methane)

Program Required Measurements:

Grant recipients must measure methane emissions associated with manure treatment/storage. 

Grant recipients are required to collect data and submit reports to the CDFA for 5 years after the project term including:

• Weeks per year of livestock spent at pasture
• Confirmation that solid separation or dry scrape technology is operational and being utilized
• Detailed explanation of project co-benefits achieved
• Description of efforts planned or in place for sustaining the project’s co-benefits through the life of the project
• Explanation of economic benefits achieved and describe efforts planned or in place for sustaining the project’s economic benefits

2022 Grant Management Procedures Manual

Tools & Guidance:

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) created an “AMMP Calculator Tool” which can be downloaded here under Alternative Manure Management Practices.

• This tool calculates Greenhouse Gas emissions reductions as well as benefits such as compost production, fuel and energy cost savings and others.

Founding Source/s:

See https://calclimateag.org/ammp/

California Climate Investments (CCI): funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)

• Proceeds from the sale of permits under California’s Cap-and-Trade policy (created through California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) are deposited into the GGRF
• Total since 2017: Over $31 million 
• Budget cut in 2019 by two thirds – $7 million 

Funding Type/s:

Grant program provides up to $750,000 per project 

Practices Eligible for Funding:

Pasture-based based management (this includes a compost bedded pack barn)

Composting manure

Shifting from a liquid flush system to dry scraping

Advanced solids separation

Improved pasture management

Practices EXCLUDED from Funding: 

Anything that increases the baseline of emissions 

Operations that previously received AMMP funding 

Any anaerobic digester system 

Equipment or activities that will receive funding from a different state or federal source

Emphasize the many co-benefits of alternative manure management, including water contamination and air pollution in order to build support. 

Linked to the Healthy Soils Program as a potential source for quality compost to assist with carbon sequestration

Name:

State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP)

Date:

Launched in 2014

Legislation:

Originally authorized by an emergency drought declaration by Governor Jerry Brown through the Executive Order B-17-2014

Sponsors:

N/A

Agencies Involved:

Administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) 

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

California Department of Water Resources

Rule Making Processes:

• CDFA conducts an administrative review of applications
• University of California and California State University systems provide academic experts who conduct a technical review of applications 
• The score is determined by:
  • Emissions reduction per acre 
  • Water savings per acre 
  • Co-benefits including distance from disadvantaged communities 
• CDFA Application Overview
• 2023 SWEEP Request for Grant Applications

Description:

The State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP) was created in the middle of one of California’s worst droughts. Its aim was to reduce water use on farms while also working to achieve California’s emissions reduction goals.SWEEP provides grants for agricultural irrigation system improvements that reduce emissions while saving water. It is run by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Historically, it has been funded through the sale of permits under California’s Cap-and-Trade policy (known as California Climate Investments) and through the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for all Act of 2018 (Cal. Pub Res Code §§ 80000-80173 (2019). The program was not funded in the 2019 legislative session and the future of SWEEP is uncertain.

Soil Health Definitions:

N/A

Stated Goals:

To build California’s drought resiliency by reducing water usage on farms and ranches

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with water usage in agricultural production 

Program Required Measurements:

Grant applicants must conduct a pump test to check the efficiency of their water pump and measure energy and water use (e.g. via utility bills and fuel receipts).

Grant applicants must utilize one or more of the following measurement tools: a soil moisture meter, evapotranspiration measurement, or a flow meter. 

Grant recipients must keep invoices, receipts, project records, any other relevant supporting documents, and collect and maintain on-farm energy and water use documentation for at least three years after final verification.

Tools & Guidance:

• SWEEP Irrigation Water Savings Assessment tool (downloadable online) to estimate water savings 
• SWEEP GHG Emission Reduction Calculator (downloadable online)
• Community FactFinder to determine if the project is located near a disadvantaged community 
• PDF on over-drafted groundwater basins in CA

Founding Source/s:

• See https://calclimateag.org/sweep/
• California Climate Investments (CCI): funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)
  • Proceeds from the sale of permits under California’s Cap-and-Trade policy (created through California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) are deposited into the GGRF
  • Total in fiscal year (FY) 2015-16: $40 million 
  • Total in FY 2016-17: $7.5 million
• Cal. Pub Res Code §§ 80000-80173 (2019)  California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 
  • Total in FY 2018-19: $20 million 
• Zero funding in FY 2019-20

Funding Type/s:

• Grant program
  • $62.8 million has been awarded to date (614 projects on over 113,994 acres)
  • SWEEP provides grants of up to $100,000 per project 

Practices Eligible for Funding:

• Soil moisture monitoring
• Drip systems
• Switching to low-pressure irrigation systems
• Energy efficiency projects (ex. pump retrofits)
• Variable frequency drives 
• Installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy
• Low-pressure irrigation systems
• Reduced pumping
• Other management practices that could achieve both water use and emissions reduction (ex. Improving soil quality to increase water-holding capacity)

If an executive order is used to launch a program, it is important to solidify the policy in statute to ensure long term viability of the program.

Funding for and an emphasis on technical assistance, especially one-on-one, was critical in building support for SWEEP.

CalCAN policy brief and program analysis

Name:

Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC)

Date:

SB 862 passed in 2014

SALC launched in 2015 

Legislation:

Introduced as SB 862 Greenhouse gases: emissions reduction bill

Codified as Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 39719 (2019), Cal. Pub Res Code §§ 75200-75218 (2019)

Sponsors:

Introduced by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review

Agencies Involved:

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

California Department of Conservation (CDOC)

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)

California Strategic Growth Council (CSGA)

Rule Making Processes:

Rulemaking is overseen by the California Department of Conservation. 

Grant applicants must submit a pre-proposal with basic information on the project’s scope and goals for an initial screening. 

• Selection criteria are as follows:
  • Demonstrated need for the project 
  • Economic, environmental, or public health co-benefits 
  • Evidence of collaboration with stakeholders 
  • Planning integration of other efforts/ policies in that geographic area 
  • Organizational capacity to execute proposed work 
  • Priority population benefits

Easement and Planning Grant Application Information

Description:

Senate Bill 862 established the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program and set the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) as its administrator. The AHSC created the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) to help achieve its goal of land use emissions reduction. 

SALC incentivizes farmland conservation from urban and suburban development as a means to achieve emissions reduction and capitalize on the co-benefits of protected farmland. SALC provides two types of grants. The first is to fund agricultural conservation easements. This permanently protects the land from being developed. The second type of grants is to support local government in creating policies that will protect agricultural land. 

SALC is administered by the California Department of Conservation on behalf of the Strategic Growth Council. The program receives 10% of all Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities funding. This funding is generated through the sale of permits under California’s Cap-and-Trade policy (known as California Climate Investments).

Soil Health Definitions:

N/A

Stated Goals:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with land use, specifically the transition of agricultural land to urban and suburban land use.

To build more resilience in the agricultural sector to changing economic and social factors

Program Required Measurements:

• Grant recipients must estimate avoided emissions using the California Air Resources Board (CARB) quantification methodology, which is based on the estimated vehicle miles not traveled by protecting agricultural land at risk of conversion and limiting opportunities for expansive, vehicle dependent forms of development.
• Potential employment benefits associated with the project is estimated using the jobs co-benefit assessment methodology developed by CARB.
• Any co-benefits of the project (e.g. ecosystem services through wildlife habitat) must be measured.

Tools & Guidance:

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) created “Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program Quantification Methodology” downloadable here under “Sustainable Agriculture Land Conservation.”

Founding Source/s:

See https://calclimateag.org/salcp/

California Climate Investments (CCI): California’s Cap-and-Trade proceeds

Receives 10% of all Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities funding (also received through CalClimate Interventions)

Funding Type/s:

Grant program

• A total of  $123.9 million in grants have been awarded since 2015

Practices Eligible for Funding:

• For planning grants:
  • The project documents the threat of agricultural land conversion
  • The project has reportable objectives, measures of progress, and deliverables
• For agricultural conservation easements:
  • The intended land must be at risk of conversion to other land use 
  • The project must “complement Sustainable Communities Strategies planning efforts”
  • The project shows that it can achieve an emissions reduction 
• Full list of grant guidelines

N/A

Name:

Climate Innovation Grant Program

Date:

Passed both houses in fall 2019

Vetoed by Governor on October 2, 2019

Legislation:

AB-296

Sponsors:

Assemblymember Ken Cooley (Principal Sponsor)

Senator Henry Stern (Co-Author)

Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (Co-Author)

Assemblymember Chad Mayes (Co-Author)

Agencies Involved:

California State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission

Strategic Growth Council

Franchise Tax Board /California State Controller’s Office

Rule Making Processes:

Rules would be developed and implemented by the Strategic Growth Council or “another entity identified by the council that it determines to have the appropriate skills necessary to successfully implement this program”.

Description:

Assembly Bill 296 would establish the Climate Innovation Grant Program as well as the Climate Innovation Fund in the State Treasury. Once this fund accrues $2,000,000, grants would be awarded for the development and research of innovations and technologies addressing climate change mitigation or adaptation.

This bill would allow an individual to designate on their tax return part of their personal income tax refund to be transferred to the Climate Innovation Voluntary Tax Contribution Account, which would be created by this bill. The bill codifies necessary administrative requirements.

Soil Health Definitions:

N/A

Stated Goals:

“To minimize current and future risks posed by climate change to human health and safety, quality of life, economic growth, ecosystems, and the natural environment.”, “support climate change adaptation and resilience” and “spur innovation and new technologies” to further these goals. 

Program Required Measurements:

Criteria for evaluation of grant proposals, metrics and definitions are to be developed.

Tools & Guidance:

N/A

Founding Source/s:

“An individual may designate on the tax return that a contribution in excess of the taxpayer’s personal income tax liability, if any, be made to the Climate Innovation Voluntary Tax Contribution Account.”

Funding Type/s:

Individual contributions through designation of tax refunds.

Practices Eligible for Funding:

Development and research of new innovations and technologies addressing:

• GHG sequestration and carbon storage;
• removal of criteria air pollutants;
• a clean, reliable, and affordable electric grid or transportation solutions;
• water quality and reliability issues;
• soil quality issues including “crop, plant, and soil health and quality, animal production, and other agricultural sector-related issues that enable a sustainable environment.”

N/A

Name:

California Environmental Farming Incentive Program (Amendment)

Date:

SB-253: Introduced February 2019, held in committee in the Assembly in August 2019.

SB-1028: Introduced February 2020, rescinded due to the shortened 2020 Legislative Session in May 2020.

Legislation:

SB-253 and SB-1028

Sponsors:

Senator Bill Dodd (Prinicipal Sponsor)

Senator Henry Stern (Co-Author)

Agencies Involved:

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) 

Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP)

Rule Making Processes:

The program is administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and advised by the Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP).

Description:

Both bills amend the existing Environmental Farming Incentive Program to be included in the suite of programs (including the Healthy Soils Program) that are eligible to provide funding for technical assistance to applicants. Under current law, funds for technical assistance can only be disbursed to Conservation Districts or Cooperative Extension.

The amendment also includes language to bring the Environmental Farming Incentive Program in accordance with the Farmer Equity Act.

SB1028 strikes “land fallowing” from the list of practices eligible for funding under the Environmental Farming Incentive Program.

Soil Health Definitions:

N/A

Stated Goals:

The amendments aim to “streamline and improve farmer and rancher access to incentive funding from the California Environmental Farming Incentive Program” by coordinating the application process and technical assistance with other incentive programs, including the Healthy Soils Program.

Program Required Measurements:

N/A

Tools & Guidance:

N/A

Founding Source/s:

“Subject to an appropriation by the Legislature”.

Funding Type/s:

Unspecified appropriation.

Practices Eligible for Funding:

“Agronomic practices to enhance groundwater supplies and provide wildlife habitat”

State Assembly Committee: Agriculture

The State of California develops policy based on leading science and supports research on soil health with a number of Universities including:

Chico State Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems, Cynthia Daley.

University California Berkeley Silver Laboratory; Biogeochemical effects of climate change and human impacts on the environment. Climate change mitigation potential of working lands, drought and hurricane impacts on tropical forests, and greenhouse gas dynamics and carbon sequestration potential of peatlands and wetlands. Dr. Timothy Bowles. Dr. Nina Ichikawa, Berkeley Food Institute.

University of California Davis Cooperative Extension Soil Resource Laboratory; Soil genesis and morphology, rangeland soils, hydropedology, water quality and constructed wetlands, soil-landscape relationships and modeling, watershed-scale digital soil mapping and quantitative pedology, repackaging soil survey into interactive decision support tools, soil survey related outreach, online soil surveys, SoilWeb. Professors: Valerie Eviner, Amélie Gaudin, Kate Scow. 

University of California Santa Barbara Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP); Improving quantified, data-based estimates of the potential specific management strategies have to build up soil carbon (reducing CO2 stocks), increase grassland biodiversity, and reduce nutrient loss from agriculture to water systems. 

University of California Merced Ghezzehei Lab; Physical underpinnings in the soil such as nutrient dynamics and conservation tillage. Dr. Rebecca Ryals; Agroecology, climate change, soil health, and carbon sequestration.

Others:

University of California, Berkeley: Land grant university

University of California Berkeley, Silver Laboratory, organic material analysis (land grant university)

UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Climate Change Program Team

California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD)

California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF)

CA USDA Climate Hub

NRCS California

The CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation will provide consultation on technical aspects of project implementation as necessary

Full list of technical assistance providers and location in 2023 (each grant recipient will be assigned a grant specialist from the CDFA)

See CDFA’s Technical Assistance website for more details about the Technical Assistance program.

California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN)

Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI)

Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)

Marin Carbon Project (MCP)

The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

Northern and Central California Fibershed

High Desert Fibershed – California

Inland Empire of Southern California Fibershed

Southern California Fibershed

American Farmland Trust

California Certified Organic Farmers

Californians Against Waste

California ReLeaf

StopWaste

Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association

California Compost Coalition (CCC)

Sustainable Conservation 

Dairy Cares

Organic Valley

California Farmers Union

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

Sequoia Riverlands Trust

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space

California Rangeland Trust

Healthy Soil Initiative:

• 7 Things to Know About Soil and Climate Change (KCET)
• Farms Harvest Cuts in Carbon Dioxide via Soil (Scientific American)
• A secret weapon to fight climate change: dirt (The Washington Post)

Healthy Soil Policy:

• The Soil Story (Kiss the Ground)
• Can Dirt Save the Earth? (New York Times Sunday Magazine)
• A Time of Reckoning in the Central Valley (Bay Nature)
• Resource Conservation Districts Offering Carbon Farm Planning (contact Lynette Niebrugge at Carbon Cycle Institute lniebrugge@carboncycle.org)

SB 1383 Short Lived Climate Pollutants:

California Launches Its Organics Revolution

Alternate Manure Management:

• CFBF: California Budget ‘A Win’ for Agriculture Despite Funding Cuts (AgNet West) 
• Win-loss budget outcomes for ag climate programs (Daily Republic) 
• An ‘impossible’ change may be coming to California beef cattle industry (Mercury News)
• How Will California’s Climate Ambitions Reshape Food and Agriculture? (Civil Eats) 
• How California’s giant dairy industry is facing changes to cow manure management (Orange County Register)

SWEEP:

• SWEEP Prop Funding Keeps Program Alive (AgNet West)
• Grants available to farmers for water-saving irrigation systems (Fresno Bee)

Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation:

• Sustainable ag easement, planning grants available (Daily Republic) 
• Saving the farms (Capital Press)

Incentive Program:

• Senate bill would expand ag-based conservation programs