Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

Program Status: Closed. In 2025, CDFA's Office of Grants Administration awarded $5 million in grants to seven projects throughout the state through the 2025 Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training Grant Program (BFFTP). (The program page's status box also references the 2022 BFFTP Grant Program as closed.) There is no open solicitation at this time.

CDFA Office of Grants Administration

The&#x2004;Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training Program supports new and existing beginning farmer training programs and agricultural apprenticeship programs in California. The program is aimed at helping to strengthen networks and developing strategies to overcome barriers including but not limited to education, training, land access, capital, and equipment for production and marketing of crops. The program also focuses on prioritizing direct access to historically underserved groups to ensure the transition to farm ownership is successful.



The Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training Program supports new and existing beginning farmer training programs and agricultural apprenticeship programs in California. The program is aimed at helping to strengthen networks and developing strategies to overcome barriers including but not limited to education, training, land access, capital, and equipment for production and marketing of crops. The program also focuses on prioritizing direct access to historically underserved groups to ensure the transition to farm ownership is successful.

Grants are awarded to organizations that operate or expand beginning farmer and farmworker training/apprenticeship programs (reported eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, Tribal governments, and community colleges; confirm against the current Request for Applications). Beginning farmers and farmworkers may contact BFFTP program organizations directly to inquire about farmworker training and educational opportunities.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Training

Labor

The overall goal of the program is to ensure that resources are dedicated to strengthening support for socially disadvantaged and/or beginning farmers and ranchers in the first ten years of business, and for farmworkers who can improve their job security with additional skills training. A secondary goal is to build and grow regional networks. The 2025 round awarded $5 million to seven projects. Reported award tiers (from prior Requests for Applications, verify against current RFA): program planning and curriculum development grants of up to $100,000; program implementation grants of up to $1,000,000.

Program Status: Upcoming. The Cohort 4 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program's draft Request for Applications (RFA) is open for public comment from August 20, 2026, to 5 p.m. PST September 11, 2026. In 2027, CDFA-F2F will award up to $38 million in grant funding to farm to school projects across the state. Applications are not yet open.

Sign up for CDFA updates to be notified when applications open: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

CDFA Office of Farm to Fork — Farm to School Program

As part of California's nation-leading investment in farm to school programs, the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) has received funding through the California Budget Acts of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026 to establish and continue the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. The program supports projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change.



The Cohort 4 program is organized into three tracks:

- Track 1: California Farm to School TK-12 Procurement and Education Grant
- Track 2: California Farm to School Technical Assistance Subaward Grant
- Track 3: California Farm to School Producer and Food Hub Grant

See the draft Request for Applications for each track for full eligibility details.

Stewardship

Farmers Market

Food Systems

Previous grant awards: In 2021, CDFA-F2F awarded $8.5 million to 60 farm to school projects; in 2022, $25.5 million to 120 projects; in 2024 (Cohort 3, 2023-24), $52.8 million to 195 projects (serving 1,650,985 students, 199 school districts and educational entities, 52 farms, eight food hubs, and five California Native American Tribes). In 2027, CDFA-F2F will award up to $38 million.

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.

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&#x2004;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.



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.

Reduced Tillage

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

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: The 2026 CNIP Expansion Request for Proposals application period is closed. The 2025 CNIP Request for Proposals (CalFresh) is closed; award recipients announced on the CNIP website. There is no open solicitation at this time.

CDFA Office of Farm to Fork

The California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) encourages the purchase and consumption of healthy, California-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts by nutrition benefit clients. Housed within the Office of Farm to Fork, the program provides monetary incentives for the purchase of California grown fruits and vegetables at Certified Farmers Markets and small businesses. CNIP provides competitive grant funding to organizations to provide incentives to nutrition benefit shoppers, and to support program operations and outreach.



CNIP funds are awarded to Certified Farmers' Markets, non-profit organizations, and small businesses through a competitive grant process. CNIP operates at selected Certified Farmers Markets, mobile markets, community supported agriculture programs, and retailers.

Local Food

Public Health

Compliance

CNIP supports shoppers using nutrition benefits (CalFresh, WIC, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program). For every benefit dollar they spend, shoppers receive an additional dollar (usually up to $10) that can be spent on fresh California-grown fruits and vegetables at participating outlets, increasing demand for California farmers' products. The program is funded through a public-private structure including the federal Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), state general funds, and local partner support. The 2026 CNIP Expansion round awarded grants to eleven organizations ranging from approximately $23,478 to $394,271.

The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) is not currently accepting applications from farmers and ranchers. CDFA is in the process of implementing a Block Grant model, which will expand access to funding through regional partners.

Funding is not yet open for on-farm applicants. Farmers and ranchers will be able to apply for funding at a later date through awarded Block Grant Recipients serving their region. CDFA will announce producer funding opportunities on the SWEEP webpage once Block Grant Recipients are selected and regional programs are launched.

Sign up for CDFA updates to be notified: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

CDFA SWEEP Program

The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) supports California's efforts&#x2004;to combat climate change and improve water management by promoting more sustainable on-farm agricultural practices. Administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), SWEEP helps farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water through the adoption of advanced, climate-smart irrigation technologies. The program's mission is to support the long-term viability of California agriculture by encouraging practices that make farms more resilient to drought, lower their environmental footprint, and improve water and energy efficiency.


SWEEP provides financial assistance to implement on-farm irrigation improvements that reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions. Funding can be used to install or upgrade equipment and systems that improve irrigation efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Eligible practices include:


- Irrigation water management, including soil moisture monitoring, flow metering, and in-field Evapotranspiration (ET) stations

- Efficient irrigation system upgrades, such as drip irrigation

- Retrofitting existing systems to support lower-pressure components

- Pump repair or replacement

- Fuel efficiency changes to the pumping system, including renewable energy installation



The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) supports California's efforts to combat climate change and improve water management by promoting more sustainable on-farm agricultural practices. Administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), SWEEP helps farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water through the adoption of advanced, climate-smart irrigation technologies. The program's mission is to support the long-term viability of California agriculture by encouraging practices that make farms more resilient to drought, lower their environmental footprint, and improve water and energy efficiency.

SWEEP provides financial assistance to implement on-farm irrigation improvements that reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions. Funding can be used to install or upgrade equipment and systems that improve irrigation efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Eligible practices include:

- Irrigation water management, including soil moisture monitoring, flow metering, and in-field Evapotranspiration (ET) stations
- Efficient irrigation system upgrades, such as drip irrigation
- Retrofitting existing systems to support lower-pressure components
- Pump repair or replacement
- Fuel efficiency changes to the pumping system, including renewable energy installation

- Farmers and ranchers with on-farm projects located completely within California.
- Individual farmers and ranchers must be at least 18 years old.
- Individual applicants must be actively engaged in agricultural production, operating as sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, or lessees managing agricultural land.
- Agricultural businesses and shared-property entities (trusts, estates, partnerships, LLCs, corporations including nonprofit public benefit corporations) must be registered with the California Secretary of State.
- California Native American Tribes, either federally recognized or listed on the Native American Heritage Commission's California Tribal Consultation List.
- The project must be on an irrigated agricultural operation producing row, vineyard, field, or tree crops, commercial nursery or nursery stock, or greenhouse food crops or flowers.
- Hemp cultivation fields are eligible, but medicinal and recreational cannabis fields are not.
- University farms are not eligible.
- Employees of the individual or entity that owns or leases the project land are not eligible.
- Individuals with a conflict of interest, such as Block Grant Recipient employees, board members, or their immediate family, are not eligible.
- A producer may receive funding for only one on-farm project, through only one Block Grant, per SWEEP funding cycle.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Water Management

Infrastructure

Impact (as of July 2025): approximately 82% of SWEEP Program projects have been completed. 1,320 on-farm projects funded; $156 million awarded (including block grants); an estimated 1 million MTCO2 reduction over the expected lifespan of the projects. In April 2024, CDFA awarded 9 projects for the 2023 SWEEP Block Grant, totaling $42 million in grant funding.

Program Status: Closed. SWEEP has invited selected Concept Proposal Applicants to apply to the Block Grant Full Proposal. (Per the main SWEEP page, CDFA began accepting Concept Proposals from eligible organizations as of April 6, 2026.)

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.

For this funding cycle, SWEEP offers a tribal set-aside of up to $4 million for qualified Tribal governments and nonprofit organizations affiliated with a Tribal government; Tribal applicants apply through the same process.

Through the Block Grant model, CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) partners with regional organizations to implement the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) by administering local grant&#x2004;programs that support farmers and ranchers implementing strategies to improve irrigation systems for the purposes of water conservation, energy use reduction, and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 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, and establish agreements with producers who carry out water and energy efficient strategies on their operations.



Through the Block Grant model, CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) partners with regional organizations to implement the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) by administering local grant programs that support farmers and ranchers implementing strategies to improve irrigation systems for the purposes of water conservation, energy use reduction, and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 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, and establish agreements with producers who carry out water and energy efficient strategies on their operations.

This is a block grant awarded to regional 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

Producers apply for funding through an awarded Block Grant Recipient in their region, not directly to CDFA.

Producers will not be able to apply for SWEEP Block Grant funding until Block Grant Recipients have been selected for award and agreements are executed with CDFA (expected January 2027). Note: OARS is not currently accepting applications for a SWEEP incentive (direct) grant and does not plan to offer future direct solicitations at this time. The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) offers a separate Tribal-specific solicitation due to differences in eligible practices.

Check the list of organizations below that are distributing CUSP funds for one that is near you and currently accepting applications. Then, follow the linked information or call them to apply.
- List of Organizations Providing Direct Drought Relief Grants 
- List of Organizations Helping Producers Apply for Covid-19 Relief Programs and Business Support TA 

The California Underserved and Small Producers (CUSP) Grant Program funds local organizations to distribute technical aid and relief grants&#x2004;to agricultural producers in CA. At any given time, there may be multiple different offerings from this program. The current offerings are

### Direct Drought Relief

California continues to face escalating drought conditions and as a result, Control Section 11.85 of the Budget Act of 2021 allocated $5 million for direct drought relief funds which will be administered through the CUSP program partner organizations throughout 2022. These direct grants will assist small-scale and historically underserved producers to apply for relief grants for those most in need of immediate drought assistance. Producers will apply for the funds through local partner organizations.

### Technical Grant Application Assistance

Funding for eligible technical assistance providers to support California agricultural producers in applying for Federal and State drought relief grant programs including the CUSP Drought Relief Direct Producer Grant Program, and assistance with business planning, financial and marketing strategies needed to be resilient and stay in business during the on-going drought in California. 



The California Underserved and Small Producers (CUSP) Grant Program funds local organizations to distribute technical aid and relief grants to agricultural producers in CA. At any given time, there may be multiple different offerings from this program. The current offerings are
Direct Drought Relief
California continues to face escalating drought conditions and as a result, Control Section 11.85 of the Budget Act of 2021 allocated $5 million for direct drought relief funds which will be administered through the CUSP program partner organizations throughout 2022. These direct grants will assist small-scale and historically underserved producers to apply for relief grants for those most in need of immediate drought assistance. Producers will apply for the funds through local partner organizations.
Technical Grant Application Assistance
Funding for eligible technical assistance providers to support California agricultural producers in applying for Federal and State drought relief grant programs including the CUSP Drought Relief Direct Producer Grant Program, and assistance with business planning, financial and marketing strategies needed to be resilient and stay in business during the on-going drought in California. 

The Drought Relief Grants administered through the CUSP partner organizations will be reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of the drought. Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to:
- Increased electric utility bills of 50% or more due to increased electricity rates
- Surface water costs if increase from year prior
- Cost of hauling water for livestock
- Lowering ag well pumps if a primary source of water is lost
- Emergency upgrades to irrigation system (paired with conservation) if not covered through CDFA OEFI programs or USDA programs and for other emergency scenarios.
- Decreased crop yields/crop loss due to less water available or having to fallow land
Not Covered:
- Drilling new well
- Upgrading pump to a larger size which would draw more water

- CUSP Information Page
- List of Organizations Providing Direct Drought Relief Grants 
- List of Organizations Helping Producers Apply for Covid-19 Relief Programs and Business Support TA 

Weather

Disaster Relief

Emergency

Reimbursement relief grants paid out through regional partner organizations, not by CDFA directly.

- Ceiling: "Eligible producers may receive up to $20,000 in CUSP Drought Relief funds as well as up to $20,000 in CUSP Extreme Weather Relief funds (for a total of up to $40,000) within a 12-month period." So the two tracks stack.
- Form: reimbursement, not up-front cash — "The Drought Relief Grants administered through the CUSP partner organizations will be reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of the drought." Keep your receipts.
- No match or cost-share requirement is published.

Covered expenses include "Increased electric utility bills of 50% or more due to increased electricity rates," surface water cost increases, hauling water for livestock, lowering ag well pumps when a primary water source is lost, emergency irrigation upgrades not covered by CDFA OEFI or USDA programs, and "Decreased crop yields/crop loss due to less water available or having to fallow land." Explicitly NOT covered: "Drilling new well" and "Upgrading pump to a larger size which would draw more water."

How to get it: "Direct relief producer grants are available through partnering organizations, and available on a rolling basis." CDFA has awarded $17 million to six Direct Assistance Providers for Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts relief and $5 million to four providers for Drought relief; each provider runs its own application windows through December 2026, so check the provider serving your region for its current dates.

Read the Request For Applications carefully to confirm your eligibility and assemble the necessary materials, then apply online at CDFA's grant portal.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) awards competitive grants to California dairy and livestock operations for the implementation of&#x2004;non-digester manure management practices and technologies that result in long-term methane emission reductions and maximize environmental benefits.


Alternative manure management practices involve handling manure in ways that don't involve using an anaerobic digester. Currently, eligible practices for funding through AMMP include: pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage (such as compost bedded pack barns); and solid separation or conversion from flush to scrape in conjunction with some form of drying or composting of collected manure.




The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) awards competitive grants to California dairy and livestock operations for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices and technologies that result in long-term methane emission reductions and maximize environmental benefits.

Alternative manure management practices involve handling manure in ways that don't involve using an anaerobic digester. Currently, eligible practices for funding through AMMP include: pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage (such as compost bedded pack barns); and solid separation or conversion from flush to scrape in conjunction with some form of drying or composting of collected manure.


California farmers, ranchers, and California Native American Tribes are eligible to apply. Individuals and business entities receiving grant award funds must be located in California with a physical California business address.

The project site must be located on a commercial California dairy or livestock operation.
- A dairy operation is defined as an entity that operates a dairy herd, which produces milk or cream commercially, and whose bulk milk or bulk cream is received or handled by any distributor, manufacturer, or any nonprofit cooperative association of dairy producers.
- A livestock operation is defined as an entity raising farm animals such as cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, swine and horses.

Livestock

Dairy

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Butter

Cheese

Milk

Yogurt

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

- 2023 Request For Applications
- CDFA AMMP Project Planning Tool
- GHG Calculator
- List of Practices Incentivized by the AMMP


Air Quality

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Waste & Manure Management

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Generous grant — CDFA can cover the whole project — but no round is currently open.

- Award ceiling and rate: "CDFA will fund up to 100% of the total project cost with a maximum grant award of $750,000 per project. Matching funds are strongly encouraged."
- Match is optional, not required: "Cost share, including matching funds and in-kind contributions, is not required; however, cost share is encouraged and may serve as evidence to demonstrate industry commitment to, or support for, the project." Other state or federal grants can count as match, but Dairy Plus Program funds cannot.
- Project term: "The maximum project term is thirty (30) months."
- Paid in arrears: the guidelines expect grantees to report "ability to commence work while waiting for grant payments in arrears" — plan working capital accordingly.
- "CDFA may offer an award different than the amount requested."
- Round pool for reference: "Approximately $17.4 million will be available for the 2024 AMMP, which includes an allocation for technical assistance grants under AB 2377."
- Free technical assistance: "One-on-one technical assistance is available and free to dairy and livestock operators interested in applying for the AMMP and to assist grant awardees with project implementation."
- Awardees may also be eligible for additional funding through the Dairy Plus Program.

Status: "The 2024 AMMP solicitation is closed. Applications were accepted from July 23 to October 18, 2024." That round drew 70 applications requesting $50.7 million; 25 projects were awarded in April 2025 totaling $17.42 million, plus 5 more in December 2025 after SB 105. No 2026 solicitation has opened, so treat the terms above as the last published round's terms.

2026 cycle timeline: RFP Release June 3, 2026; Concept Proposal Submission June 30, 2026; Concept Proposal Decision July 27, 2026; Pre-project Consultation July 28 - August 7, 2026; Full Proposal Development August 8 - August 31, 2026; Final Funding Decision September 25, 2026; Project Start January 1, 2027. For technical issues with the grant application system, email cdfa.opca@cdfa.ca.gov.

CDFA Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (BIFS)

The goal of the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) grant program is to demonstrate and refine integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to reduce chemical insecticide inputs, especially non-selective, biologically disruptive insecticides with higher risk to human health and the environment. The program provides outreach of innovative, biologically integrated plant-based farming systems that reduce chemical pesticide inputs.



Public or private colleges and universities, local, state, and federal government entities including tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and commodity groups are eligible to apply. The project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California.

Trials

Inputs

Research

BIFS demonstrates IPM-based alternative pest management options that focus on economical and efficacious biological and cultural pest management techniques. Maximum award amount, total available funding, and any cost-share/match requirement are not disclosed on the program webpage (see the BIFS RFP and Applicant Guide).

The 2024 DDRDP solicitation is closed. Applications were accepted between July 23 and October 18, 2024. CDFA received 22 applications requesting $30.4 million in grant funds. In April 2025, CDFA awarded 5 projects for the 2024 DDRDP grant round, totaling $7.4 million in grant funding. In December 2025, CDFA awarded 2 additional projects following the passage of SB 105 (Chapter 104), which appropriated additional funding to the livestock methane reduction programs.

CDFA DDRDP Program (Technical)

CDFA OARS

CDFA's Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters on California dairy farms. Dairy digesters, also known as anaerobic digesters, harness the natural breakdown of dairy manure to generate renewable energy from methane, in the form of electricity, renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, among others. The goal of DDRDP is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from manure management by preventing methane, a potent climate pollutant, from entering the atmosphere.



DDRDP provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters on California dairy farms. Eligible projects include:

- Installation of anaerobic digesters
- Technologies that clean and condition biogas
- Equipment to upgrade biogas into renewable natural gas or other forms of energy

These projects support on-farm renewable energy generation and create economic opportunities for dairy operations.

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Waste & Compost

Nutrient Management

Impact (as of June 27, 2026): 87% of DDRDP's incentive projects have been completed. 142 projects funded; $228.2 million awarded; 24.8 million MTCO2e reduction over the expected lifespan of projects. DDRDP supports the state's target of reducing methane emissions to 40% below 2013 levels by 2030. Every year, CDFA provides a report of DDRDP project updates to the Legislature.

List of California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Funding Opportunities