The State of California has a suite of Climate Smart Agriculture programs that provide grant funding, technical assistance and other resources for California farmers, ranchers and Tribes.
CalCAN has been a consistent advocate for these programs since they were launched, and we continue to be the leading champions for their continued funding and improved implementation.
Open Grant Funding:
Climate-Smart Commodities Funding- The USDA is extending the deadlines to apply for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity after requests from many stakeholders. Grants are available for pilot projects that will create market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. Two types of funding pools are available: the first is for grants from $5-100 million for projects that focus on greenhouse gas benefits from climate-smart practices with applications due May 6, 2022. The second is for grants from $250,000 to $4.9 million for innovative pilot projects focusing on small-scale and underserved producers, with monitoring reporting and verifications activities developed by minority-serving institutions. These applications are due June 10, 2022. Learn more here.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) – Grants available to support collaborative local, state, and regional networks and partnerships that help beginning farmers and ranchers through financial and entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and apprenticeship programs; “land link” programs that connect retiring farmers and landowners with new farmers; vocational training and agricultural rehabilitation programs for veterans; and education, outreach, and curriculum development activities to assist beginning farmers and ranchers. Grants have a term of 3 years and cannot exceed award amounts of $200,000 per year. Applications due May 19, 2022 via grants.gov. Learn more with the Full RFA and contact Denis Ebodaghe
Western SARE Research & Education Grants – Grants available for researchers and at least three producers to develop a proposal on sustainable agriculture education and research. Outreach activities may include on-farm/ranch demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer educational activities, and other approaches to assist producer adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. This program is administered by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and applications are due May 19, 2022. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.
American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program – Funding available for non-profits and higher education institutions to provide technical assistance to underserved farmers and ranchers via cooperative agreements. The award range is a minimum of $500,000 to $3.5 million for a maximum of five years. Applications due June 1, 2022. Full application and eligibility information can be found here.
2501 Program AKA: Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers – Funding available for community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and tribal entities to help historically underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Organizations can apply for a maximum amount of $250,000 for a single year, with a grant maximum amount of $750,000 over a 3-year period and grants will be offered to three categories of applicants: minority serving academic institutions; non-profit, community-based organizations, and tribal governments; and academic institutions. Applications due June 8, 2022 via grants.gov. Read about this opportunity on the NSAC Blog
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Agricultural Systems (AFRI) – Grants available for universities, nonprofits, small businesses, individuals, Tribal Governments, and other entities take a systems approach to significantly improve the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products while fostering economic development and rural prosperity in America. Applications due July 28, 2022. For more information on how to apply and eligibility requirements, see the Sustainable Agricultural Systems funding announcement.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)- Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) – Soil Health Demo Trial component of On-Farm Trials focuses exclusively on implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health. FY2022 Funding Announcement not yet published, usually late spring-summer. Learn more at the CIG Website.
