Grants for Growers
Growers with Limited Resources Summary
What are the barriers to increasing the economic viability of small-scale (non-grape) specialty crop production in Sonoma county? Here is a summary of a survey that UCCE Sonoma conducted in late 2022-early 2023: Limited Resources Survey Summary - March 2023 (Specialty Crops Only) . These results can help growers and community organizations identify critical barriers and key resources needed for economic viability in our county. The following grants for growers list can help lower some of these barriers and provide financial assistance to support sustainable management practices.
Grants for Growers List
This is not by any means a complete list of all available grants for specialty crop growers. UCCE does not promote any grant listed. These programs are listed as examples of options for growers to explore. If you have suggestions for programs to add to the list, or any questions, please email Ellie Andrews at eandrews@ucanr.edu.
California Small Ag Business Drought & Flood Relief Grant Program
Website for the Drought Relief Program
Website for the Flood Relief Program
Weekly Webinars
Drought Relief Eligibility Tree
Required Documents Checklist
UCCE is providing Technical Assistance for interested farmers. Contact Krista Marshall at knmarshall@ucanr.edu if you have any questions.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- High Tunnel Initiative
- National Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Conservation Initiative
- On-Farm Energy Initiative
Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
Emergency Watershed Protection Program
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operation Program
California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA)
CDFA Drought Relief Direct Producer Grant
Healthy Soils Program (HSP)
State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP)
Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program (CAPGP)
Water Efficiency Technical Assistance Program (WETA)
Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG)
CDFA-Associated Grants and Resources
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Toolkit
California Underserved and Small Producer Program
USDA Rural Development
Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG)
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
USDA Farm Service Agency
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
Emergency Conservation Program
USDA Regional Food Business Centers
Southwest Regional Food Business Center
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program
Here is a great example of a project from a local grower:
Red H Farm_Assessing the Economic + Social Viability of Winter CSAs
Red H Farm_EVALUACIO´N DE LA VIABILIDAD ECONO´MICA Y SOCIAL DE CSA DE INVIERNO
Farm Business Management for the Global Majority
10-Week Course
The Fruit Guys
Community Fund Grant Program
Pollinator Funding Programs
Pollinator Partnership Grants
Project Apis Seeds for Bees Program
Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) - regionally specific
Gold Ridge RCD Financial Assistance for Compost Application on Ag Lands
Zero Foodprint
Restore Grant
Zero Waste Sonoma - regionally specific
Compost Rebate
Relevant Organizations
List of local organizations that are relevant for specialty crop growers in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties.
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)
-Small Farm Tech Hub
-Farmer Funding Opportunities Database
Kitchen Table Advisors (KTA)
-Business Advising Program Flier (2023)
Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs): Sonoma, Gold Ridge, Marin, Napa