Healthy Soils Grant Application Deadline Approaching on March 8
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is seeking applicants for the Healthy Soils Program, which provides grant funding to incentivize conservation management practices to sequester carbon, lower greenhouse gases and benefit soil health.
Ag Council encourages farmers to consider applying before the deadline on March 8, 2019 at 5 p.m.
“By capturing greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere and storing them underground, through the assistance of living plants and microbes, we improve both the atmosphere and the soil,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said.
Cover crops, no till, reduced till, mulching, as well as nutrient management practices that reduce fertilizer, are among the soil management practices eligible for grant consideration within the Healthy Soils Program. In addition, certain compost application practices and grazing land practices are eligible for consideration.
To read more about this grant opportunity, and to apply, click HERE.
SWEEP Grant Applications Due to CDFA on March 8
Grant applications for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) are due on March 8, 2019 at 5 p.m. to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
SWEEP provides financial incentives for farmers to install irrigation systems to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve water use efficiency. Eligible systems include: renewable energy systems to lower on-farm water use and energy, pump retrofits, drip systems, and converting to low pressure irrigation, among other projects.
Click the HERE for further details about applying for a SWEEP grant
Ag Council Hosts 8th Annual Ag Expo Breakfast
On February 13, State Water Resources Control Board member DeeDee D’Adamo spoke during Ag Council’s 8th Annual World Ag Expo breakfast in Tulare.
The breakfast helps connect Ag Council’s members in the San Joaquin Valley with state level decision-makers and provides a forum for dialogue on complex public policy issues.
Dozens of Ag Council’s members and friends attended to listen and discuss multiple water policy issues with board member D’Adamo who covered topics such as the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, Bay-Delta Plan updates, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and safe drinking water, among other issues.
Board member D’Adamo was first appointed to the State Water Resources Control Board in 2013. She lives in Turlock and has extensive experience in water policy at both the state and federal levels. Prior to her current appointment, D’Adamo served on the California Air Resources Board.
Special thank you to board member D’Adamo for speaking with Ag Council’s members.
Gov. Newsom Makes Changes to the State Water Resources Control Board
Board member D’Adamo’s outreach with Ag Council’s members at the World Ag Expo took place during the same week that Governor Gavin Newsom announced changes to the State Water Resources Control Board.
The governor announced that board chair Felicia Marcus would not be reappointed, and he appointed current board member Joaquin Esquivel as chair. In addition, the governor appointed Laurel Firestone from the environmental justice organization, Community Water Center, to the board.
During Ag Council’s World Ag Expo breakfast, D’Adamo spoke about the persistent efforts of both individuals to address safe drinking water needs in the state.
Ag Council congratulates Joaquin Esquivel and Laurel Firestone on their appointments and looks forward to continuing to work with them toward passage of safe drinking water legislation this year, as well as address other issues before the board.
Gov. Newsom Appoints Agriculture Liaison
In addition to the state water board appointments, the governor appointed Bill Lyons as Agriculture Liaison within the Office of the Governor this week. Lyons is the former secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Congratulations to him upon this appointment.
To read about the new appointments made by the governor this week, click HERE
NCFC Recognizes Sunsweet Pres. & CEO Dane Lance as Manager of the Year
Pictured L-R: CEO of GROWMARK Jim Spradlin, NCFC Pres. & CEO Chuck Conner, Pres. & CEO of Sunsweet Growers Dane Lance, and Sunsweet Growers Board Chair & Ag Council Board Member Brendon Flynn.
Congratulations to Sunsweet President and CEO Dane Lance who was recognized as Manager of the Year by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) this week. Dane Lance received the award during NCFC’s 90th annual meeting for developing an innovative product line.
Food Production Grant Applications Due on Feb. 11
The February deadline is quickly approaching for grant applications to be submitted for the Food Production Investment Program (FPIP), which is a recently formed competitive grant program at the California Energy Commission allowing food processors the opportunity to apply for funds to adopt commercially available and advanced technologies to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Applications must be received by February 11, 2019 by 5 p.m.
Please click the “Learn More” link at the end of this article for the FPIP grant solicitation website where interested applicants can review the guidelines and access the application portal.
Currently, $30 million in funding is available during the open grant solicitation, and Ag Council encourages our food processing members to consider applying for this unique grant opportunity.
Previous recipients of FPIP grant funds include Ag Council members, and you can read more about those successful grant projects HERE.
Ag Council and others successfully advocated for the creation of this grant program during negotiations to extend the cap and trade program, and FPIP is the outcome of that work.
FPIP is a first of its kind grant program for food processors to utilize funds to install advanced efficiency energy efficiency technologies or cutting edge, emerging technologies to reduce GHGs.
Ag Council President Emily Rooney and several Ag Council members actively participated in the food processing task force in 2018 with other agricultural and food processing representatives to assist in the development of the FPIP grant program guidelines with state regulatory officials.
Again, the deadline to apply is February 11, 2019 by 5 p.m. Interested applicants are encouraged to click HERE. Please contact Ag Council with any questions at ph. 916.443.4887.
Join Us for Ag Council’s 8th Annual World Ag Expo Breakfast
Ag Council’s World Ag Expo Breakfast
February 13, 2019
8 a.m.
World Ag Expo Heritage Complex
Conference Dining Room, Second Floor
4500 S. Laspina St.
Tulare, CA 93274
Featured speaker:
DeeDee D’Adamo
Member of the State Water Resources Control Board
There is no cost to attend for Ag Council members. However, seating is limited and guests must RSVP to Jennifer Johnson by clicking HERE or by calling 916.443.4887