Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) Mission

The mission of the Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) is to provide leadership in the county and region to enhance natural resources conservation, preserve wildlife and habitat, and improve rangeland and agricultural management through partnerships, education, outreach, resource services and technical assistance to clients, and funding support.

The ACRCD and NRCS are not Government oversight agencies. Maintaining the trust of the landowners and ranchers is of the utmost importance.

Project Update: Alameda County Compost for Agriculture Program

The Alameda County Compost for Agriculture Program (ACCAP) continues to support local producers in adopting healthy soil practices while advancing Alameda County’s compliance with SB1383 procurement requirements. The program provides both full-cost donations and partial subsidies to help farms access compost. In the first two quarters of 2025, the Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) assisted four producers in procuring a total of 155 cubic yards of organic compost for approximately 6.5 acres of farmland in Berkeley and Sunol. The compost was used to amend rows for spring, summer, and fall crops, improving soil health, water retention, and crop resilience.

By reaching a diverse range of producers—from small urban farms to peri-urban seed growers, as well as larger operations—ACCAP not only contributes to Alameda County’s procurement goals but also strengthens farm resilience, supports sustainable agriculture, and highlights the community and environmental benefits of organics recycling.

ACCAP is available on a rolling basis year-round. For information on how to access compost through ACCAP, contact ian.howell@acrcd.org or visit acrcd.org/projects/compost-for-ag.

Fall Newsletter

Head over to our Newsletter page to read the latest edition and sign up to receive future updates if you haven’t already joined our list.

California Forest Stewardship Workshop

Online October 7 – December 16, 2025 &

In-person Saturday, November 8th, UC Berkeley Russell Research Center

Join the workshop to better understand and protect your forests by receiving technical assistance, developing a forest management plan, and having a resource professional visit your forest. Workshop topics include:

•Forest management objectives and planning

•Forest health

•Forest and fire ecology, wildlife, watersheds

•Fuels reduction and forest resource marketing

•Mapping, inventory, and silviculture

•Project development & permitting

•Getting professional help and cost-share opportunities

Registration is available at:

https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=28675

Registration fee is $60.00.

Scholarship funding for registration fee is available.

For questions, contact Kim Ingram, kcingram@ucanr.edu

Conservation Easement Webinar Video

This recent workshop was designed for landowners in Alameda County interested in preserving their land and for ranchers with a vested interest in land stewardship.

Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how conservation easements can benefit both the owner and the land. Experts were on hand to discuss the application process, financial incentives, and answer questions. Additionally, funding opportunities specific to Alameda County were shared.

Please watch the recording of this webinar on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/se6J7k8p5HE?si=hj91ykRf2NVHA4lv

Questions? Contact Ian Howell, ian.howell@acrcd.org

Alameda County Conservation Partnership

The Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) collaborate as the Conservation Partnership to serve as the lead conservation agency in Alameda County. We provide technical and educational services for natural resource conservation and agriculture enhancement. The Partnership collaborates with many partners including private landowners, local, state and federal agencies and other organizations to develop and implement various conservation and agricultural strategies. The ACRCD also works closely, on a fee for service basis, with public agencies and private sector companies, to help achieve conservation based goals.