The Healthy Soils Program is currently in between application cycles.
California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Healthy Soils Program (HSP) provides financial assistance to California farmers, growers, and ranchers for implementation of one or more HSP agricultural management practices to improve soil health, including compost & mulch application, cover cropping, no-till methods, conservation planting, and more.
During the last solicitation period, CDFA allocated $67.5 million worth for HSP awards, and applicants were able to receive up to $100,000 in funds for their three-year project. The future grant solicitation period is expected to be available until mid to late 2023.
Solana Center is funded by CDFA to provide technical assistance to HSP incentives program grant applicants, free of charge.
We can offer help with completing and submitting your application, and if approved, we are here to guide you through implementing and preparing documentation for your project.
Email salina.brice@solanacenter.org with inquiries about the program.
Interested in applying for a future Healthy Soils Program grant?
Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are highly recommended. If you are interested in applying for a grant in the future, you may want to begin preparing now!
1. Join our Interest List to receive updates.
2. Watch the recording from our overview webinar which aired on November 16. CDFA's video on How to Apply for the HSP Incentives Program expands upon the demonstration given at the end of the webinar.
3. The 4 most commonly awarded healthy soil farming practices are compost, mulch, implementing native species hedgerows, and cover crops. Learn more in our NEW Resource Guide.
Important Links for Applicants
- Request for Grant Applications (provides a written description of the program, eligibility, application process, and expectations)
- Preview of Application Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Work Plan Template
- Application Sign-In
(Note: Links are from 2021-22 solicitation period; subject to change in future grant solicitations)
Informational Webinars for Applicants and Awardees
Solana Center presented a 3-part webinar series on compost production, use, and benefits geared toward HSP applicants and awardees. Knowledgeable speakers included Solana Center staff (Webinar 1), Dr. Craig Kolodge of San Pasqual Valley Soils (Webinar 2), and Josh Robinson of Ecology Artisans and the San Diego Sustainable Living Institute (Webinar 3).
Please enjoy the webinar recordings and associated resource lists below. Made possible through generous funding from CDFA and CA Climate Investments.
Producing Compost On-Site with the Healthy Soils Program
- Webinar Recording (aired 2/16/2022)
- Resources & links from Webinar
Compost: A Misunderstood & Under-Utilized Natural Resource for Creating Healthy Soil, Food, Water & Air Quality
- Webinar Recording (aired 3/2/2022)
- Resources & links from Webinar
Integrating Compost, Plants, & Water Catchment for Sustainable Farmscaping
- Webinar 3 Recording (aired 3/16/2022)
- Resources & links from Webinar
Aerated Static Pile Composting
- Webinar Recording (aired 3/21/23)
- Resources & links from Webinar
Healthy Soils Program is funded by California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment - particularly in disadvantaged communities.
