Case Study: CDFA Healthy Soils Program Success Stories
Solana Center is funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to provide technical assistance to HSP program grant awardees, free of charge.
For nearly a decade we have guided local farmers and growers through applying for funding and implementing farming practices over three-year award periods, as well as preparing reporting documentation over the grant cycle. Read on for success stories from HSP participants.
HEALTHY SOILS PROGRAM SUCCESS STORIES: Two San Diego County Growers benefit from the Healthy Soils Program Incentives Grant.
By Erin Stone, Educational Associate Manager and Natalie Mazur, Bilingual Environmental Educator
Case studies researched and written by Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, a certified Technical Assistance Provider for the Healthy Soils Program Incentives Grant
SAN PASQUAL VALLEY SOILS
Located in Escondido in northeast San Diego County, San Pasqual Valley Soils (SPVS) is a highly
reputable source of compost, mulch, and soil amendments in the San Diego region. The
operations at SPVS play a role in benefitting the community in a sustainable closed loop
fashion; over 1,000 tons of local discarded brewery grains, food scraps, and bakery materials
are repurposed each month as livestock feed for the adjoined Frank Konyn dairy, and manure
from this dairy is then composted on-site at SPVS.
Through their Healthy Soils Program Incentives Grant award, SPVS implemented compost,
cover crop, and alfalfa planting practices, which contributed to an increase in soil organic
matter, soil tilth, and water retention, leading to more nutrient-rich soil and lower water
demands. In approximately one year, the soil organic matter increased from 0.88% to 1.84%,
the nitrogen from 0.037% to 0.089%, and carbon from 0.441% to 0.921%, demonstrating the
significant positive impact of these practices on agricultural lands.
HSP Practices Implemented: Compost application, cover crop, and forage and biomass
planting. Learn more about San Pasqual Valley Soils.
ORCHARD REVITILIZATION
Jayd Kowitt, located in Vista, CA, began the Healthy Soils Program, as many San Diego farmers do, with thick clay-heavy soil. Her planting attempts failed repeatedly and her avocado orchard rotted, went dormant, and would not produce. Thanks to her awarded practices through the Healthy Soils Program Incentives Grant, the trees came back to life within months after compost application, and went on to produce ample and highquality avocados.
Jayd has observed an increase in soil biodiversity, soil organic matter, more earthworms present in the soil, and a decrease in watering needs. In addition to her HSP implementations, Jayd also added native pollinator plants, such as yarrow, blue curls, California poppy, and monkey flower; as a result her land is now home to a variety of butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
HSP Practices Implemented: Compost and mulch application.
Questions about how to implement your current HSP Incentives Grant, or curious about how to apply for a future cycle?
Please email HSP@solanacenter.org or call (760) 436 -7986 ex. 711 with inquiries about the Healthy Soils Program.