SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture has received $28 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund in 2019 to award grants for agricultural management practices that promote soil health by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas, or GHG, emissions.

These grants are part of the CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program, which is comprised of two award categories: 1) The Incentives Program, providing financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improves soil health, sequesters carbon and reduces GHG emissions; and 2) Demonstration Projects, showcasing California farmers’ and ranchers’ implementation of healthy soil practices that also sequester carbon and reduce GHGs.

Three public stakeholder meetings are scheduled for September 2019 to provide updates on the program and to receive comments and suggestions for the next round of funding.

These meetings will be held on the dates and locations provided below. Each meeting will include a webinar component to allow remote attendance and participation.

For more information, visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.

Meeting dates, locations and registration details:

Sept. 23 – Orland
10 a.m. – noon
Glenn County Farm Bureau
831 Fifth St., Orland
Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3667128965487965196 

Sept. 24 – Fresno
1 – 3 p.m.
Fresno County Cooperative Extension Building (Inyo/Kern Meeting Room)
550 E. Shaw Avenue, Suite 210-B, Fresno
Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7907368070215434252 

Sept. 25 – Sacramento
2 – 4 p.m.
California Department of Food and Agriculture (Auditorium)
1220 N St., Sacramento
Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3485505037742188556 

Comments must be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5 p.m. PT, Oct. 23.

The Healthy Soils Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.

California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more.

At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities and low-income households across California.

For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.