California Ag Network

Tag: USDA-NRCS

  • Application Deadline Approaching for On-Farm Water Recharge Incentive Funding

    It’s very important for California farmers to know that not only will there be more funding available in the next round of the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), but the application deadline is coming much earlier this year. And for growers that are interested in getting some incentive funding for participating in on-farm groundwater recharge, applications are due by Nov. 3rd. Watch this brief interview with Wendy Rash from NRCS to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • Ag Goes Green This St. Patrick’s Day

    Today, the Valley Air District and local Agricultural leaders hosted a Clean Agricultural Equipment Showcase demonstrating the air quality benefits of a state grant program designed to replace older high polluting equipment.

    The Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program, administered by the California Air Resources Board and funded through local Air Districts, expedites the turnover of high emitting agricultural equipment, like tractors, harvesters, pumps and utility task vehicles for cleaner and zero emission equipment. Investments through this program have the benefit of supporting farmers in the move to clean, low carbon technologies and practices, and providing for immediate community health and air quality benefits across the San Joaquin Valley.

    “This is one of the District’s most cost effective programs, reducing emissions throughout the Valley while helping some of our smallest farmers transition to cleaner equipment”, stated Samir Sheikh, Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer of the Valley Air District. “We appreciate the state’s support of great programs like this one, and hope for continued investments in these programs in this year’s budget.”

    Since 2017, investments through the FARMER program matched with investments from Valley growers have resulted in the reduction of 185,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and 22,210 tons of harmful air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrous oxide. Reducing these pollutants expedites the delivery of cleaner air in the San Joaquin Valley where residents experience some of the highest adult and childhood asthma rates.

    FARMER is one of the most cost effective and timely ways in which the state can advance collective air quality and climate goals—improving air quality, lessening adverse health impacts, while advancing carbon neutrality. Realizing the vision of a more equitable and healthy future requires follow through with targeted and strategic investments that leave no one behind.

    In addition to the FARMER and local programs, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) provides a wide suite of programs aimed at supporting agricultural transition to sustainable practices.  Through this combined local, state, and federal partnership, the San Joaquin Valley has served as the national leader in the deployment of clean air technologies and practices.

    The Valley Air District covers eight counties including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and San Joaquin Valley air basin portions of Kern. For additional information about the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, visit www.valleyair.org or call 559-230-6000.

  • NRCS Incentive Funding for On-farm Groundwater Recharge Projects

    As drought conditions persist in California, farmers are making the most of every drop of water they use. However, there may be more they can do during the rainy season to put water back into the ground with assistance of the USDA-NRCS.  Watch this brief interview with California Water Quality Specialist Wendy Rash to find out.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Federal-State Work Group Launches On-Farm Compost Research Site for Farmers & Ranchers

    The Federal-State On-Farm Compost Work Group is pleased to announce the launch of an On-Farm Compost Resource Website. The resources on this website include information and tools to help farmers and ranchers compost agricultural byproducts, including manure, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

    The website is hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and was developed as part of a larger collaborative working group that was co-led by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), US Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) as well as eleven additional state and regional regulatory bodies. The working group was formed in 2019 to help reduce barriers and clarify regulatory requirements for producers wishing to co-compost off-site agricultural waste.

    “California farmers and ranchers have long understood the benefits of this proven practice, just like those who embrace composting at home” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This multi-agency effort will help meet farmer demand for more on-farm composting to ensure safe, nutrient rich soil, and this new on-line resource provides a single location to show our producers how to put it all together in compliance with California environmental regulations.”

    “California will dramatically cut a major source of climate warming gas when we launch food and yard waste composting statewide in 2022,” said California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Jared Blumenfeld. “Using this compost on our agricultural and rangelands will add to that greenhouse gas reduction and help drought-ravaged soil retain water.”

    “The tools created by the On-Farm Compost Work Group will help promote the composting of agricultural materials in California,” added EPA Pacific Southwest Acting Regional Administrator Deborah Jordan. “Composting is an alternate pathway for agricultural materials, which will reduce ag burning in California, thus protecting air and water quality.”

    “Application of compost is a common soil health practice, that can help farmers in our arid climate maintain and build soil carbon,” said NRCS California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. “Compost application improves plant health and crop yields, increases water retention and infiltration, and sequesters carbon. This effort helps create valuable soil amendments from diverse on-farm resources. It’s a win-win for California agriculture”

  • USDA Announces $15 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $15 million investment to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through June 29, 2020, for national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving solutions that boost production on farms, ranches and private forests and improve natural resources.

    This year’s priorities are water reuse, water quality, air quality, energy and wildlife habitat.

    “Through Conservation Innovation Grants, we’re able to co-invest with partners on the next generation of agricultural conservation solutions,” NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr said. “Conservation Innovation Grants have helped spur new tools and technologies to conserve natural resources, build resilience in producers’ operations and improve their bottom lines. This year will be the first time we are offering water reuse as a priority, and we’re excited to see how these projects play a role in USDA’s broader strategy for water reuse on agricultural land.”

    National CIG

    CIG is a competitive grants program that supports development, testing and research of conservation technologies, practices, systems and approaches on private lands. Grantees must match the CIG investment at least one to one.

    All U.S.-based non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. Complete funding announcement information can be accessed through the Conservation Innovation Grants webpage.

    The National CIG program supports early pilot projects or demonstrations of promising conservation approaches and is distinct from the $25 million announced on March 12 for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials. On-Farm Trials is a separate CIG component created by the 2018 Farm Bill. It includes a Soil Health Demonstration Trial.

    State NRCS CIG

    State NRCS offices are also able to fund and hold their own CIG competitions in addition to the National CIG signup. Please visitNRCS state office websites for information about state CIG competitions.

    More Information

    NRCS’s CIG program is identified in the federal government’s National Water Reuse Action Plan as an opportunity to support development of innovative projects that focus on water reuse on private lands. Read this April 28 post on the USDA Blog for how USDA is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Interior, Department of Energy and others to promote water reuse across sectors.

    CIG applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 29, 2020. A webinar for potential applicants is scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2020. Information on how to participate in the webinar is posted on the CIG website.

    CIG also contributes to the Agriculture Innovation Agenda: a USDA initiative to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands. Specifically, USDA is working to stimulate innovation so that American agriculture can achieve the goal of increasing production by 40 percent while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050.

    For more information on CIG, visit nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local NRCS field office .

  • Get Funding for On-Farm Conservation Projects with the USDA-NRCS

    From floods to drought, fire to hurricanes, NRCS provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners through a variety of USDA programs. Watch this brief interview with Brooke Pippi to find out how NRCS can support you.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, February 4-6 (Booth P1842).

  • Small Grains and Soil Health Field Meeting, June 5

    UC Cooperative Extension will host a Small Grains and Soil Health Field Meeting on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, from 9:30am to noon, on Staten Island in the San Joaquin County Delta. The agenda is pasted below and attached. The attached version includes a map and directions. We have applied for CCA continuing education credits, and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP is not required. Hope to see you in the field!

     

    9:30am       Meet at Staten Island grain silos to caravan to field trial location

    10:00am     Welcome and Meeting Overview

    Michelle Leinfelder-Miles and Brenna Aegerter, UCCE, San Joaquin County

    Dawit Zeleke, Conservation Farms and Ranches

    10:15am     Small Grains Variety Testing – Statewide and Delta Trials

    Mark Lundy, UC Davis

    10:30am     Soil Nitrate Quick Test Demonstration

    Mark Lundy, UC Davis

    10:45am     Introduction to Cover Cropping Project (funded by CDFA Healthy Soils Program)

    Michelle Leinfelder-Miles and Brenna Aegerter, UCCE, San Joaquin County

    11:00am     Cover Crop Trial Results

    Valerie Bullard, USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center

    11:15am     Demonstrations and Evidence – Why the Hype Over Soil Health Really Matters

    Jeff Mitchell, UC Davis

    11:30am     Walk through small grains trial, participate in soil health demonstrations

    12:00pm     Wrap up and evaluations

    More details Here