The Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program (CAPGP), funded by the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation, provides resources for the development of plans that help farmers and ranchers identify actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhance environmental stewardship, and support long-term agricultural food security.

Through this program, Placer Resource Conservation District (Placer RCD) is offering three (3) Soil Health Management Conservation and Implementation Plans and one (1) Carbon Farm Plan. These plans are valuable tools for farmers interested in pursuing conservation funding opportunities such as:

• NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• CDFA Healthy Soils Program (HSP)

A total of four (4) plans are available. Awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, based on applicability, with prioritization for at least one Disadvantaged Farmer (as defined by the CDFA) [link to definition].

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What are these plans and their benefits

Carbon Farm Plan

• Identifies site-specific strategies to sequester carbon, increase soil organic matter, and enhance ecosystem services. It includes resource assessments, conservation practices recommendations, and implementation strategies.
• Plan objectives: Sequester carbon, improve key soil health functions like , water retention, nutrient cycling, and crop resilience. Which may make farms more competitive for carbon offset programs and conservation funding opportunities.

Soil Health Management Plan (CPA 116 and DIA 162 – NRCS)

• A site-specific strategic design for improving soil quality, fertility, and sustainability using conservation principles.
• Includes cover cropping, reduced tillage, compost application, and other regenerative practices.
• Plan objectives: Improves key soil health functions like water retention, nutrient cycling, and crop resilience. May make farms more competitive for conservation funding opportunities.

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Ideal Applicants

This opportunity is available to commercially active farms that are interested in implementing conservation practices and are working toward long-term sustainability goals. While we welcome broad interest, plans will be prioritized for applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Own or operate a working farm with an established or developing commercial agricultural enterprise
• Farms of 10 acres or smaller (specific acreage threshold to be determined).
• Are actively interested in soil health management or carbon farming strategies.
• Those interested in future participation in EQIP or the Healthy Soils Program.
• At least one plan will be prioritized for a Disadvantaged or Underserved Farmer, as defined by CDFA.

Application and Selection process

• A total of four (4) plans are available, and they will be awarded based on applicability, first-come, first-served , and prioritization for a minimum of one Disadvantaged Farmer (as defined by the CDFA) [link to definition].
• Solicitations will remain open until the four available plans have been assigned.
• Once all criteria are met, Brian Pimentel will reach out to selected applicants to schedule a phone call to discuss next steps.

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For more information, please contact: