Implementation

Over the course of five years, the RCDs will provide technical and financial assistance to up to 73 producers, covering approximately 13,686 acres of agricultural land in Sonoma and Marin counties. The climate benefits of agricultural practices implemented through this project are estimated to be 253,613 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over 20 years.

Producers must submit an interest form through their local RCD office: Sonoma RCD, Gold Ridge RCD, or Marin RCD. Funding awards will begin in 2025 on a rolling basis through 2027.

  • Project applicants can be, but are not limited to, dairy operators, ranchers, fruit and vegetable farmers, wine grape growers. Additionally, eligible farms and projects must:

    • Be located within Sonoma or Marin counties. 

    • Be interested in implementing practices labeled as “climate-smart” by USDA (i.e. sequester carbon or avoid emissions).  

    • Meet NRCS practice specifications and standards. 

    • Be registered, or willing to be registered, with the USDA Farm Service Agency. (We’ll help you if you’re not already registered!) 

    • Agree to work with our marketing team to highlight climate-smart products. 

    • Work with our team to share production and marketing data <link to requirements> so we’re able to report our impact back to the USDA.

    • Agree to reporting commodity and earnings data to the USDA. 

    • Be willing to work with your local RCD to monitor projects for a period of up to 10 years.

    • We highly encourage producers who are limited in resources, new to the field, socially disadvantaged, and/or veteran farmers or ranchers to apply!

    • The project is funding NRCS Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) practices. Technical assistance to plan, implement, and monitor project success will be provided by an RCD conservation planner or partner organization. All funded projects will include multi-year soil sampling, practice design and maintenance specifications and standards, and photo-monitoring. 

    • Carbon Farm Planning funding may also be available through the RCDs to assess the full potential to maximize on-farm carbon capture and storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural land management. 

    • Producer incentive payments seek to cover up to 85% of practice costs. Landowners are required to cover a minimum of 15% of project costs either in cash or in-kind.

    • Fill out the interest form for your local RCD chapter.

    • RCD will review your potential project(s) for funding consideration.

    • RCD will reach out directly to set up a site visit and discuss potential projects on your farm or ranch. 

    • Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis from 2025 through 2027.