Farmer Cooperative-Led, Partnership-Driven Project for Implementing Novel Perennial Cover Crop Species in Specialty Crop Systems and Integrating with Innovative MRV and Carbon Market

Update (2026): This project continues under the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative, building on the prior Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities work. Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative reopened enrollment (October 2025), offering up to $13,750 per producer to cover the cost of perennial cover seed. Details: obc.ag.

In this pilot project, producers would receive cost-share, technical assistance, capital investment and marketing support for using Oakville bluegrass cover crop in their commercial specialty crop operations. In addition to the creation and sale of carbon offsets, Oakville bluegrass plantings would give producers the opportunity to engage in climate-smart insetting, the practice of applying GHG offsets to one’s own supply chain.

The project partner would seek further underserved producer membership through co-op director Nav Athwal’s network of over 200 Punjabi American producers.

Individual producers apply directly, and OBC publishes an explicit "Eligibility" list:

• "Domestically owned farms"

• "Located in California, Oregon, Washington, or Arizona"

• "Acres enrolled should not be receiving other USDA funds for the same practice"

The program requirements document (v04.28.26) adds a crop test the web page leaves out, and it is the one most likely to disqualify you. Eligibility "is restricted to farms meeting all of the following criteria: Domestically owned farms; Located in California, Oregon, Washington, or Arizona; Perennial cropping systems: wine grapes, almonds, and other specialty crops; Acres enrolled should not be receiving other USDA funds for the same practice." This is a perennial specialty-crop program — annual row-crop ground does not fit.

The practices are also narrow: "Incentives and materials are provided for the following NRCS Conservation Practices: 327 - Conservation cover; 329 - No-till/low till - residue & tillage management." You must be planting perennial conservation cover and committing to no-till/low-till.

FSA registration is required before you can sign. "The producer is required to provide the necessary FSA data to OBC to be considered an 'agricultural producer' under the program": "Establish Farm Records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including having farm, tract, and field numbers in place"; "Complete an AD-2047 (Customer Data Worksheet)"; "Certify highly erodible land conservation (HEL) and wetland conservation (WC) compliance via Form AD-1026"; and "Certify that they are not a foreign person or entity." You then hand OBC your farm, tract and field numbers, "A 'Subsidiary Print' from the FSA... and any farm maps provided," and "OBC staff will complete the Environmental Evaluation Worksheet (EE, CPA-52)." New to FSA? Growers "needing to establish FSA records for the first time are encouraged to contact or visit their local FSA office for assistance with the process."

What is NOT an eligibility test: the acreage figures (first 10 acres, next 100 acres) are payment tiers, not thresholds — there is no acreage minimum. No income limit is published, and cooperative membership is not stated as a requirement.

Timing: "The Deadline for the 2026 season is August 28th" — now past. Ask OBC (info@obc.ag) whether a further season is opening before counting on this.

USDA Advancing Markets for Producers money paid through Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative to cover perennial cover-crop seed: "The USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers initiative is a grant program that provides up to $13,750 per producer to cover the cost of perennial cover seed."

How it splits, when you plant perennial cover crops / conservation cover and commit to no-till:

• First 10 acres of planted seed: "100% grant funded for up to $3750 for perennial seed cost." "Grower prepays shipping, sales tax; OBC will coordinate for lowest available shipping costs."

• Next 100 acres of planted seed: "Additional incentive of $100/acre for the next 100 acres of perennial seed (first come first served)." "Grower pays shipping, sales tax and cost of seed exceeding $100/acre for seed."

• Freight is excluded from the grant.

Non-cash benefits: a Grower's Guide if Oakville bluegrass is the selected cover, invitations to annual educational events, "Guidance and support to manage carbon farming projects," and "Grant processing support to meet environmental readiness as required by law."

Conditions: domestically owned farms in California, Oregon, Washington or Arizona; "Acres enrolled should not be receiving other USDA funds for the same practice." You must supply FSA farm, tract and field numbers, completed Forms AD-2407 and AD-1026, and an FSA subsidiary print; "All projects will also be evaluated with CPA-52."

Deadline: "The Deadline for the 2026 season is August 28th."

Fill out the interest form on the Advancing Markets for Producers page to get started.