Green Sacramento County

​As part of the broad initiative to support a shift towards regenerative agriculture, several agencies and organizations offer farmers opportunities to apply for financial assistance to implement carbon farming methods. Grants are available to cover the costs of shifting practices, to develop carbon farming plans with technical experts, to receive technical assistance, and more. Check below for a list of funding opportunities and a brief description.

• The CSP offers assistance to custom design conservation stewardship plans to help producers meet goals for improving grazing conditions, crop resiliency, or wildlife habitats. CSP offers annual payments for implementing practices and one-on-one technical assistance planning to identify conservation goals and build on existing ones.
  

• EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits, such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, and improved or created wildlife habitat.
  

• ​​REAP provides loans and grants for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, and the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements.
  

• Western SARE's Professional + Producer program supports opportunities for agriculture professionals working directly with farmers and ranchers on sustainable agriculture projects.
  

• This grant aims to advance on-farm sustainability concepts by funding producer-driven research and outreach. The program recognizes that producers innovate and improve on-farm/ranch practices and funds on-farm research led by producers themselves.
  

• LED grants support efforts to identify and overcome environmental, economic, and social obstacles to adopting regenerative agriculture/carbon farming practices locally. Proposals integrate findings from previous SARE-funded research, translate them into practical demonstrations of application, and bring results into the field through demonstration/educational activities for agriculture professionals/producers.
  

• This grant provides funding for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices, which will result in reduced emissions of greenhouse gasses.
  

• This grant provides outreach on innovative, biologically integrated plant-based farming systems that reduce chemical pesticide inputs, boosting soil health.
  

• The CWHP provides economic incentives to private landowners who agree to manage their properties in accordance with a wetland management plan developed cooperatively by CDFW biologists and the participating landowner;
  

• The CRHCP program provides grants to protect, preserve, and restore riparian habitats.
  

• Funded by businesses across the food system, the Restore California grant awards up to $25,000 to farmers and ranchers to implement carbon farming practices. Follow the link and follow the application instructions to submit your proposal. Applications are open in the Spring and Summer seasons.
  

Additional Resources

• The Community Alliance with Family Farmers maintains an active database of funding opportunities available for farmers that displays open grants, the practices or projects they support, and application requirements. Browse the database to search for additional funding sources you may qualify for: Farmer Funding Opportunities Database.