A new collaborative effort will provide financial support for healthy soils conservation management practices for citrus farmers in 11 California counties. Citrus growers are now able to enroll in a program that awards up to $200,000 for farm projects to help foster climate resilience and long-term sustainability for California’s citrus sector.
The effort was made possible after the California Department of Food and Agriculture awarded $5 million from the Healthy Soils Program Block Grant to the California Bountiful Foundation, the California Citrus Quality Council, and Xerces Society.
The California Bountiful Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit science, research and education arm of the California Farm Bureau, is administering all aspects of the program grant.
Key program activities include webinars, one-on-one technical assistance, translation services and direct financial incentives to support the adoption of healthy-soils management practices such as cover cropping, conservation cover, reduced tillage, whole orchard recycling, nutrient management, and pollinator-friendly hedgerow plants. The program is set to support 20 to 45 projects over three years.
“Our goal at the California Bountiful Foundation is to make it very easy for citrus growers to enter into the program and implement healthy soils management practices,” says Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, Director of the California Bountiful Foundation. “We see ourselves as a one-stop shop where citrus growers will get a very high degree of service through this program.”
A key aspect of the program is its commitment to social equity, with a focus on aiding socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, women, military veterans and small-scale farms. Citrus growers in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Tulare, San Diego, Placer, and Ventura counties are encouraged to enroll.
For details on how to apply for funding, visit californiabountifulfoundation.com and click on the Healthy Soils Program link.