Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District (CSLRCD) staff draws on their combined years of experience to help provide local growers, ranchers and landowners with technical tools and plans to improve the health, function and productivity of their land. The right tools and a plan offer the best path toward land stewardship, healthy resources and sustained livelihoods.

RCD staff is available to provide one-on-one bilingual technical assistance to farmers and ranchers navigating the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Healthy Soils Incentives Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency Program (SWEEP), from the application phase through implementation and monitoring. 

HSP INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The HSP Incentive Program provides financial incentives to California growers and ranchers to implement conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and improve soil health. Practices include compost application, mulching, cover cropping, hedgerows and more. The HSP Incentives Program accepts applications annually. Visit the HSP website for more information.

STATE WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (SWEEP)

SWEEP provides financial cost share for on-farm systems that increase water efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases. Upgrades such as solar arrays, Variable frequency drives and microdrip are eligible. SWEEP accepts applications annually. Visit the SWEEP website for more information. 

At various intervals, CSLRCD organizes field tours that highlight some of the soil health practices included in the program, such as the compost application on orchards at Avila Valley Barn.

The Healthy Soils Program stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments to promote the development of healthy soils on California’s farmlands and ranchlands.

Partners: San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau

Funders: CDFA

RCD Contact: Hallie Richard, hrichard@coastalrcd.org