CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE and HEALTHY SOILS

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1 CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE and HEALTHY SOILS Center for Sustainability CalPoly Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences May 19, 2016 Jenny Lester Moffitt Deputy Secretary

2 California Agriculture Food Production In 2014, California s farm production topped $54 billion California has the most diverse food production in the country Vibrant Rural Communities California s 77,500 farms and ranches cover 25.5 million acres Photo Credit: USDA NRCS

3 Climate Change Vulnerability Vulnerability Index uses 4 sub indices: 1. Climate 2. Crop 3. Land use 4. Socioeconomic Study by Jackson et al. UC Davis with funding from CEC When indices are combined, total agricultural vulnerability in some areas of the state is 3 very high

4 California s Climate Strategy 4

5 California s Climate Strategy 5

6 Climate Smart Agriculture Climate Smart Agriculture is an integrated approach to achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions while also ensuring food security in the face of climate change. The concept is defined by three main pillars: Sustainably increasing farm productivity and incomes. Adapting and building resilience to climate change. Reducing/removing greenhouse gas emissions, where possible. California s working lands offer substantial opportunities to reduce GHG emissions while building resilience to maintain our food and economic security. 6

7 California s Climate Smart Ag Practices Voluntary On-farm Practices Include: Soil Carbon Sequestration Manure Management Water Management Nitrogen Management Integrated Farming Systems On-farm Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Agricultural Land Conservation Electricity Petroleum Buildings Land-base Short-Lived 7

8 Milestones: Investments & Achievements State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Dairy Digester Research and Development Program Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program Healthy Soils Initiative 8 Electricity Petroleum Land-base Short-Lived

9 State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) $10 million for $10 million for $40 million for from the California Climate Investments fund (Cap and Trade Revenue $) for the California Department of Food and Agriculture to invest in irrigation and water pumping systems that reduce water use, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Photo Credit: USDA NRCS 9

10 SWEEP Project Types Water Conservation Weather, Soil or Plant based sensors for irrigation scheduling Micro-Irrigation or Drip Systems -AND- GHG Reductions Fuel Conversion Improved Energy Efficiency Low Pressure Systems Variable Frequency Drives Reduced Pumping 10

11 SWEEP Next Solicitation $18 million June 2016 (anticipated) A change to the solicitation includes the use of an updated GHG Quantification Methodology and GHG Calculator developed by CA Air Resources Board. quantification.htm Technical assistance workshops will be made available to applicants thanks to funding from USDA NRCS Organizations can apply $2,500 - $5,000 to provide workshops and ongoing assistance through the duration of the application period. Deadline to submit applications is May 20 NRCSTechnicalAssistanceWorkshops RFP.pdf 11

12 Dairy Digester Research and Development Program Dairy digesters capture methane gas at dairy farms and convert it into energy Methane is approximately 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. CDFA s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) helps California dairies: Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Lessen energy demand by producing electricity or fuel onsite Reduce odors and pathogens Potential to provide additional revenue stream through production of by-products 12

13 $11.1 million funded in

14 Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program Funds for agricultural conservation easements and local ag protection strategies to protect lands from conversion to urban and rural residential development More Info at: Department of Conservation and Strategic Growth Council $40 million available in this round, full applications due on May 2,

15 Current SALC Project Categories Agricultural Strategies and Outcomes Agricultural Conservation Easements

16 Healthy Soils Initiative An Interagency Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Improve Drought Resiliency by Innovating Farm and Ranchland Practices. Climate Benefit: Sequester and Reduce Greenhouse Gases Co-benefits Increase water retention Improve plant health and yields Reduce sediment erosion and dust Improve water and air quality Improve biological diversity and wildlife habitat 16 Land-base

17 Examples of Practices Managed Grazing Crop Residue, Cover Crop Field Buffers Photos: USDA NRCS Compost 17

18 Actions for the Healthy Soils Initiative Protect and restore soil organic matter in California s soil Set goals for building soil organic matter Identify sustainable and integrated financing opportunities To incentivize voluntary on-farm management practices Provide for research, education and technical support Increase governmental efficiencies to enhance soil health on public and private lands Promote interagency coordination and collaboration 18 Land-base

19 Incentive and Demonstration Program Objective: To build soil carbon and reduce agricultural GHG emissions through incentives. Proposed $20 million in the FY budget to develop and administer a new incentive and demonstration program: $13.8 million for Incentives Program $4 million for Demonstration Projects Framework outlined at a public workshop on May 18 with feedback solicited on: Eligibility, application and timeline Management Practices, co-benefits Grant size and matching fund requirements 19

20 Questions? Jenny Lester Moffitt 20