California Farm Bureau’s California Bountiful Foundation announced that citrus growers may apply for Healthy Soils Program (HSP) block grant funds from Jan. 20–31, 2025. Approximately $278,000 in grant funding is available for two to five new projects.
The funding is available only to citrus growers who did not receive funding in the first HSP round, from other HSP programs or from HSP in the previous year. Learn how to apply here.
The program is limited to citrus growers operating in 11 counties: Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Tulare, San Diego, Placer and Ventura. Each citrus farm may submit only one application.
Applicants are required to select at least one management practice from these four eligible orchard practices:
Applicants must choose management practices not previously implemented in their proposed citrus orchard fields. A previously used management practice is acceptable if it is applied to a different field or assessor’s parcel number.
HSP is a California Department of Food and Agriculture program that supports growers in adopting conservation management practices that improve soil health and sequester carbon. Citrus growers will receive on-demand assistance at no cost through the implementation and verification process of their on-farm projects. The program’s objectives are to:
- Enhance climate change resilience in the citrus sector.
- Aid citrus growers on environmental stewardship and fulfill sustainability demands from buyers and consumers.
- Advocate and provide financial incentives for conservation management practices that increase soil carbon storage, reduce greenhouse gases, improve soil retention and bolster pollinator populations.
- Offer guidance to citrus growers on sustainable farming practices through pollinator hedgerows and other management practices.
- Allocate 25% of grant funds toward supporting veterans, women, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
The grant program will help citrus growers in reducing costs associated with conservation management practices, offering insights into effective pest and disease management while protecting pollinators.
More information is available from Margaret Honig, administrative lead, at mhonig@cfbf.com or 916-561-5504.
Source: California Bountiful Foundation
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