California Healthy Soils Program Block Grant (HSP Block Grant)

Through the Block Grant model, CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) partners with regional organizations to administer local grant programs that support farmers and ranchers implementing healthy soils practices. Block Grant Recipients work directly with producers in their region by providing outreach, technical assistance, and support throughout project implementation. These organizations manage the local application process, recommend projects for funding to CDFA, establish agreements with producers who carry out soil-health practices on their operations, and manage funded on-farm projects. By working through trusted regional partners, the Block Grant model helps ensure funding reaches producers along with locally informed support and technical expertise.

This is a block grant awarded to partner organizations (Block Grant Recipients), not directly to farmers. The following organizations are eligible to apply as a Lead Applicant:

• Public agencies

• Local agencies

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

• Special districts

• Joint Powers Authorities

• Public utilities and locally owned utilities

• Mutual water companies

• California Native American Tribes

On-Farm Grant Beneficiaries (producers) receive funding through their regional Block Grant Recipient to implement approved healthy soils practices on their operations; producers apply through the awarded Block Grant Recipient in their region, not directly to CDFA.

Producers will not be able to apply for Healthy Soils Program funding until Block Grant Recipients have been selected for award and agreements are executed with CDFA (expected January 2027). Starting January 2027, a list of Block Grant Recipients and their contact information will be available on the Healthy Soils Program webpage. Note: OARS is not currently accepting applications for the HSP incentive (direct) grant and does not plan to offer future direct solicitations at this time.

Program Status: Closed. The Healthy Soils Program has invited selected Concept Proposal Applicants to apply to the Block Grant Full Proposal.

Estimated Block Grant Solicitation Timeline (subject to change): Concept Proposal Opens April 2026; Full Proposal Notification July 2026; Full Proposal Close August 2026; Award Notification September 2026; Award Execution January 2027.

A tribal set-aside of up to $5 million will be available for Tribal governments and nonprofit organizations affiliated with a Tribal government. OARS is developing details of a Block Grant tailored to Tribes through a tribal consultation process; the Tribal solicitation is expected to be released in early 2027.