Healthy Soils Program

Enrollment for the Healthy Soils Block Grant Program (HSP) is now closed.

Thank you to everyone who applied! For updates on the program, please continue to check our website.

HSP Enrollment	Date
Enrollment Open	March 25, 2024
Enrollment Closed	June 13, 2024
Submitted Application for Review	May -July 2024

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

Mantente informado sobre el programaa

Healthy Soils Block Grant Program webinar hosted on March 26, 2024

PowerPoint presentation about program, its practices, and application process

View the Healthy Soils Block Grant Program flyer for a quick overview of key program details and at-a glance information.

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Partners

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.