The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced on Apr. 20 the opening of concept proposal applications for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) block grants, with funding provided by Proposition 4 passed by voters in November 2024.
These programs are designed to support climate resilience in agriculture through grants that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and promote efficient water use on farms and ranches. The HSP will provide $50 million in grants, while SWEEP will allocate $34 million to projects aimed at enhancing on-farm water efficiency.
The application process is divided into two phases: a concept proposal phase running from April 6 to May 15, followed by a full proposal phase opening in June. Organizations that pass both phases may become Block Grant Recipients (BGRs), responsible for administering funds to local farmers and ranchers. Award announcements are expected in September, with projects beginning January the following year. Farmers and ranchers will be able to apply for on-farm project funding starting in 2027.
Once BGRs are selected, CDFA will publish a list of awarded organizations so producers can identify where to apply. Each BGR may receive between $2 million and $4 million per solicitation for either HSP or SWEEP programs or both. To assist applicants throughout this process, CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability has partnered with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). The UC ANR Climate Smart Agriculture Team offers technical assistance via weekly office hours held Thursdays from April 9 through May 14 over Zoom.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs, according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems as well as economic vitality according to its official website. UC ANR utilizes nine research and extension centers across diverse ecosystems within California according to its official website.
UC ANR is recognized for linking research directly with community needs according to its official website, manages Cooperative Extension services as part of the University of California system according to its official website, conducts more than thirty-three thousand educational events annually, and engages over eighteen thousand volunteers each year according to its official website.