CDFA Climate-Smart Incentive Program Evaluation

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Office of Enviromental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) climate-smart incentive programs are designed to mitigate Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and help farmers and ranchers adapt to climate change while incentivizing adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. This suite of programs emerged in the 2010s in response to severe drought conditions and GHG reduction goals dictated by state legislation (AB 32, The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006).

These programs have received more than $800 million in funding since 2014. Resources have been dedicated to incentivizing grower adoption of agricultural practices directed at GHG mitigation, soil health, manure management, renewable energy, and water and energy use efficiency across California. To date there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness and broader impacts of these programs. This evaluation focused on grantees from the years 2014-2020.

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Full Report

Evaluation of the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Climate-Smart Incentive Programs

CDFA Cover Letter

Policy Briefs

Healthy Soils Program

State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP)

Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program (SDFR)

Fact Sheets

Waste to Wealth: Compost Benefits California Growers

Blooming Borders: Hedgerows Benefit California Growers

Green Gold: Cover Crops Benefit California Growers

California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) Blog

New Climate Smart Ag Program Evaluation Shows Program Successes and Opportunities

Healthy Soils Program (HSP): New Climate Smart Ag Program Evaluation Shows Program Successes and Opportunities

SWEEP: New Climate Smart Ag Program Evaluation Shows Program Successes and Opportunities

Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP): New Climate Smart Ag Program Evaluation Shows Program Successes and Opportunities