California Waterfowl's Fallow Agriculture Program incentivizes farmers to maintain vegetative cover on fallow fields for nesting habitat, targeting waterfowl and pheasants by compensating landowners who delay field termination. It is a sub-program of the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP).
Eligibility
Fields must be 20+ acres with at least 50% vegetation coverage averaging 8+ inches tall, with reliable summer water within 1 mile (irrigation canals, wetlands, or rice fields), located within Central Valley planning regions. Cover may be volunteer vegetation or planted cover crops with a minimum 10% legumes. Fields must remain undisturbed until July 15th to qualify for payment.
Details
Deadline
March 29, 2026
Organization
Financial Instrument
Cost Share
Total Program Funding
$100,000
Payment Rate
$30.00–$110.00 per acre, per year
Terms
Incentive rates (2025 season): volunteer vegetation $30/acre; established planted cover crops $110/acre. Total funding available: $100,000. Payment occurs shortly after the July 15th deadline if all conditions are met.
Application Instructions
Applications for the 2026 cycle ran February 15 – March 29, 2026 and are now closed. Contact Jason Coslovich, (408) 644-3525, jcoslovich@calwaterfowl.org.
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Updated September 1, 2026
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