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Grants for Growers

List of Resources

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)

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

Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program

The Fruit Guys
Community Fund Grant Program

Project APIS
Seeds for Bees Program


Regionally Specific Funding Sources:

Resource Conservation Districts (RCD)
Gold Ridge RCD Financial Assistance for Compost Application on Ag Lands

Zero Waste Sonoma 
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

North Coast Soil Hub

California Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)