Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource. Increasing soil organic matter and improving microbial activity in the soil helps to sequester more carbon, increase water infiltration, improve wildlife and pollinator habitat, and improves harvesting with better yields in agricultural production. Soil health is challenged by climate change, soil erosion, compaction, catastrophic wildfire, development, and maladaptive agricultural practices. Whether you have a backyard garden, manage a forest, own a ranch or an orchard, our technical assistance can help you.
Common conservation practices that can help to improve soil health include, but are not limited to:
- Erosion prevention and sediment control
- Carbon Farm Plans/ Conservation plans
- Cover Cropping
- Crop rotation
- Compost application
- Mulching
- Reduced or No Tillage
To speak with Placer RCD staff about soil health, contact:
-
Brian Pimentel
Agriculture Program Manager
-
Allison Erny
Forestry Project Manager, Registered Professional Forester No. 3081
Placer RCD Soil Health News
- Placer County Community Garden Leader’s Tour: Fostering Connection, Sharing, and Place-Based Leadership
- Placer RCD Receives 50k in Funding to Restore Placer County’s Riparian Areas
- What are Working Lands?
- Placer RCD on the KAHI Corral Saturday Morning Show
Placer RCD Soil Health Projects
- Urban Ag & Community Initiative
- Central Sierra Healthy Soils Program Provides financial assistance
- Landowner Technical Assistance Provides financial assistance
- Urban & Community Initiative (2023)
- CDFA Healthy Soils Program (2021) Provides financial assistance
- Carbon Cycle Institute: Carbon Farming past project
Soil Health Media
- Landowner Technical Assistance Agreement (LTAA) Flier
- 2021 Healthy Soils Program Presentation
- CDFA Workshop Flyer
- Placer RCD Soil Health Strategic Plan
- Placer RCD Final Report for CCI
More Soil Health Information
Financial Resources
The RCD offers free landowner technical assistance. Other cost-share opportunities may be available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Contact Placer RCD staff listed above to learn more.