Resources

Agricultural Programs and Funding

Conservation Stewardship Program 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on management objectives for your operation. They can help you identify natural resource problems in your operation and provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/csp-conservation-stewardship-program

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

NRCS’s flagship program to integrate conservation projects onto working lands. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a cost-sharing program that provides technical assistance to landowners to plan and implement conservation practices. EQIP can help with everything from reforestation to erosion control, fuel break construction, integrated pest management, wildlife habitat and cover cropping.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives

Healthy Soils Program 

The HSP Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On farm management practices that include but are not limited to: cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, and conservation plantings.

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/

High Tunnel Initiative

A High Tunnel System, commonly called a “hoop house,” is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-high-tunnel-initiative

Value Added Products Grants

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants/ca

Drought and Emergency Assistance Programs and Loans

Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) 

Provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or that is planted specifically for grazing.

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-forage/index

Emergency Loan Program 

Provides loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine by animal quarantine laws or imposed by the Secretary under the Plant Protection Act.

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

Helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and helps put in place water conservation methods during severe drought.

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/emergency-conservation/index

Contacts

NRCS 

UC Extension 

Tracy Schohr

Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor for Plumas, Sierra and Butte Counties

Cell Phone Number: (916) 716-2643

tkschohr@ucanr.edu