Funding is periodically available for projects that incorporate practices to increase  Carbon sequestration.We are currently accepting applications from farmers and ranchers operating in Alameda County who are interested in developing a Carbon Farm Plan for their farm or ranch. Types of practices that may be eligible for funding include:

• Planting cover crops
• Compost application
• Hedgerows & Wind breaks
• Prescribed grazing
• Riparian Plantings

Application

Funding Application

Potential Funding Sources

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• ACRCD Grant Funding
• CDFA Healthy Soils Program

Primary Contact(s)

Ian Howell

Kyle Marsh

Hillary Sardiñas

Partners

• California Department of Food and Agriculture
• State Coastal Conservancy
• California Department of Water Resources

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems. NRCS staff will work with farmers, ranchers and other eligible land managers to determine which conservation practices are appropriate on individual properties. Please click on the links below to learn more about the full range of NRCS conservation programs that are offered.

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program – EQIP
• Wildlife-Friendly Livestock Pond Initiative (see section below)
• Conservation Stewardship Program – CSP
• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – ACEP

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary USDA conservation program for farmers and ranchers to treat natural resource concerns with technical and financial assistance.  EQIP provides cost-share funding to promote agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Rangeland Management (cross-fencing, water developments, pipelines, tanks, troughs, prescribed grazing)
• Cropland Management (water conservation, cover crop, pest management)
• Wildlife Habitat improvement (pond enhancements, habitat management)
• Vineyards

Eligible farmers and ranchers may apply for EQIP program benefits during open application periods. Application ranking periods are established to allow evaluation of projects and awarding of contracts based upon an environmental score for each application that achieves the natural resource benefits identified by local, state and national priorities.

Eligibility

Read the Program Eligibility Information here.

Application Dates

Year Round

Primary Contact(s)

Alyson Aquino

Links

• Download Application
• California EQIP website
• National EQIP website

Partners

Note: The 2018-2019 application period is closed.

The Alameda County Conservation Partnership in partnership with UC Cooperative Extension facilitates an Urban Farm Conservation Mini-Grant program, with funding from the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. This program is intended to support conservation on urban and urban-edge farms in Western Alameda County while improving yields and enhancing overall production. Successful applicants will receive financial support as well as technical assistance, if needed, to facilitate the installation of conservation practices that will enhance soil and water quality as well as habitat, both on-site and in the surrounding community.

Grants may cover the following types of activities:

• Erosion control and runoff reduction measures e.g., bioswale, rain garden or filter strips utilizing native, drought tolerant or other appropriate plantings, straw wattles for storm drains, mulching, cover crops, rainwater collection systems.
• Conservation and habitat plantings e.g., cover crops, hedgerows, bee and owl boxes, drought tolerant or native plantings.
• Water quality and efficiency improvements e.g., irrigation system improvements, compost systems or compost covers, greywater systems.
• Informational Signage e.g., weatherproof placards explaining the purpose of a rain garden or filter strip; a sign describing various run-off/erosion mitigation practices and how they support water quality in an adjacent waterway.

For more information on eligible conservation practices, such as those listed above, click here. The list above is a sample and applicants should feel free to propose additional conservation activities that will benefit soil or water resources, while supporting production.

Interested parties will submit a brief application describing their conservation needs related to soil, habitat and water quality enhancement as well as the conservation improvements they intend to install. Proposals will include an estimated budget of not more than $3000.

Eligibility: Urban farms, gardens and organizations with urban farming programs. Project sites must be located within The AC Flood Control Zones. Projects in Zone 7, not eligible. For more detail click here.

Apply Dates

July-September

Funding

Up to $3000 per applicant

Primary Contact(s)

Susan Ellsworth

Links

• Download an Application

Partners

• Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
• UC Cooperative Extension
• NRCS

Re-submission of prior unsuccessful applications will be given extra consideration provided that reviewer feedback is reflected in the revised application.

Note: Because water quality protection is an important focus of the funding agency, priority will be given to farm sites that are near creeks, drainage channels or storm drains.

Applications are now being accepted for Livestock Pond Improvements through the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

The Wildlife-Friendly Livestock Pond Initiative is a voluntary program for people who want to rehabilitate livestock ponds for habitat and to provide a reliable source of drinking water for livestock. The program provides cost-share payments to landowners under agreements that are usually vary in duration, depending upon the types of practices to be installed.

Ranchers are critical to maintaining populations of two listed amphibians that occur primarily on rangelands: the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense). Livestock ponds provide alternative, high-quality aquatic habitat for these species and have become a vital feature on the landscape as the amphibians’ natural habitat is lost due to land development and conversion to cropland.

We offer several incentives to support ranchers who want to repair, restore, and manage stock ponds and uplands for habitat, we are offering several incentives:

• Cost share that leverages funds from granting agencies including: USFWS, the Wildlife Conservation Board and the California Coastal Conservancy
• Programmatic environmental permitting through our Permit Coordination Program
• Cost-share through the NRCS’ EQIP program

Apply

Year-round

Primary Contact(s)

Jackie Charbonneau

Hillary Sardiñas

Links

• Wildlife-Friendly Pond Initiative Flyer
• Download Application