Technical Assistance

CDFA, NRCS, CARCD, UCANR, and CFBF are all committed to strengthening and streamlining Technical Assistance through the voluntary  efforts of landowners and land-managers across landscapes and land types. Each partner contributes a unique element to that process that is unlike the others. The key goal is improving technical assistance that leads to increased opportunities for natural resource conservation for all customers.

Contact any office to get help with programs described below

• Find your local Resource Conservation District
• Look up your local University of California Cooperative Extension office
• Find your county Natural Resources Conservation Service office
• Get help from your county Farm Bureau

 

Program information

CDFA: Policy and Funding Support for Cropping Systems and Conservation

• Provide a number of funding opportunities for producers that can be used in conjunction with NRCS farm bill programs
  • State Water Efficiency and Enhancements Program (SWEEP): grants to implement irrigation systems that save water and reduce GHG emissions
  • Healthy Soils Program: financial assistance to implement soil conservation practices, along with demonstration projects – Incentives Program and Demonstration Projects
  • Alternative Manure Management Program: financial assistance for non-digester manure management
  • Dairy Digester Research and Development Program: Financial assistance for installing dairy digesters
  • Fertilizer Research and Education Program: Grants for research, demonstration, and education projects on environmentally safe and agronomically sound use of fertilizers
  • Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: Grants for projects that enhance competitiveness of specialty crops
• Employ team of Climate Smart Agriculture Community Educator Specialists in collaboration with UC ANR, who can educate producers on climate smart agricultural practices

 

CARCD & local RCDs: Outreach and Technical Assistance on Conservation and Leveraging Resources

• CARCD provides information and reports for producers and conservation planners
  • A tool to find your local RCD
  • Consolidated set of reports on resource concerns and conservation efforts in each region of the state
  • Focuses support for RCDs on several key program areas, including:
    • Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Conservation
    • The California Demonstration Farm Network
    • The California Grazing Lands Coalition
    • Conservation in Cannabis

 

UC ANR Research and Outreach: Cropping systems and conservation practices

• Robust system of producer outreach and education staff
  • Cooperative extension offices are in every county, with advisors that work with farmers to implement efficient growing methods, solve pest management issues, and develop water-smart strategies
  • A team of Small Farm Advisors is devoted to supporting small farmers
• Research targeted to serve producers’ needs, spread across six focus areas (4H & Families, Agriculture & Pest Management, Environmental and Natural Resources, Food & Health, Innovation & Economic Development, Yard & Garden)

 

NRCS: Conservation planning and implementation and funding for conservation practices

• Works in close partnerships with producers and foresters, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to maintain healthy and productive working landscapes, through several key programs:
  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest owners to address natural resource concerns using a wide range of conservation practices.
    • Fact Sheet and Application Start Page
  • Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): CSP serves to strengthen landowners’ existing conservation efforts, building upon previously implemented conservation practices to continue to address resource concerns
    • Fact Sheet
  • Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG):
    • Fact Sheet
  • Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): Provides funding for landowners to protect and preserve croplands (through Agricultural Land Easements) and wetlands (through Wetland Reserve Easements)

 

CFBF: Technical assistance from your local county Farm Bureau

• • Get help from your county Farm Bureau

Other nonprofits exist around the state that offer agricultural technical assistance as well.

• Network partners include:
  • CA Alliance for Family Farms
  • Farmer Veteran Coalition
  • Valley Farm Bureau SHARE
  • Contact us to have your organization listed here

Or contact us directly and we can steer you toward your local resources: