Funding Opportunities
If you have a project, and want to know if the RCD or the NRCS can help you identify funding sources, please Contact Us.
- Planting cover crops
- Compost application
- Hedgerows & Wind breaks
- Prescribed grazing
- Riparian Plantings
Application
Potential Funding Sources
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- ACRCD Grant Funding
- CDFA Healthy Soils Program
Primary Contact(s)
Partners
- 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
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)
Links
Partners
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.
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.
Apply Dates
July-September
Funding
Up to $3000 per applicant
Primary Contact(s)
Partners
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