Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Zero Foodprint (ZFP)

Fill out the online application (Formstack) at https://zerofoodprint-tuvab.formstack.com/forms/compostconnector (Spanish: https://zerofoodprint-tuvab.formstack.com/forms/compostconnector2025spanish), sign the Compost Connector agreement via DocuSign, then reserve rebate credits in the program portal and submit invoice + documentation within 30 days of reserving. Questions: compost@zerofoodprint.org.

Deadline text on the page: /farmers page: 'Compost Connector applications are open now through the end of 2026.' The FAQ on /compost still carries a stale 2025 line: 'The program will stop accepting claims after Dec. 12th, 2025.' Treat end-of-2026 as current; flag the FAQ staleness.

General office

Compost programs inbox

Alana Williams

Restore Program Manager

Compost Connector pays California farmers and ranchers a per-ton rebate on compost bought from a Zero Foodprint-approved (CalRecycle/SB 1383-compliant) facility. Growers apply online, sign a DocuSign agreement, then reserve rebate credits in a program portal; after purchasing and uploading invoice documentation within 30 days, ZFP issues the rebate (electronic payment within ~3 weeks). Funding is first-come-first-served and replenished through the year as partner jurisdictions add SB 1383 dollars. A Santa Clara County landing page (/santa-clara) is a jurisdiction-specific pool of the same program using the same application.



Any California rancher or farmer growing food or beverage products for human consumption who is interested in purchasing compost procured from a Zero Foodprint-approved facility. Only compost orders placed after you have signed an agreement with Zero Foodprint are eligible. Apply separately for each location and/or business entity. May not stack with another jurisdiction-funded SB 1383 procurement program or another ZFP compost program on the same purchase; may combine with non-SB1383 sources such as CDFA Healthy Soils Program or NRCS EQIP.

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

Fixed $/ton rebate (rate not published on page); max 1,000 tons per claim; $20,000 per year per entity; credits expire 30 days after reservation; only compost tonnage on the invoice is eligible (blends, mulch, delivery, spreading are not); invoice must be on approved-facility letterhead.

Published amounts: Your funding will be a fixed dollar amount per ton of compost purchased, as reflected on your compost invoice. The maximum amount of compost per rebate claim is 1,000 tons and there is a $20,000 funding maximum per year. Ratio used: 1 ton = 2.5 cubic yards.

Online application on https://www.zerofoodprint.org/apply when the window opens (reopens October 1, 2026). Steps: read the Grant Guidelines, develop a scope of 1-4 eligible practices, run COMET-Planner (CDFA version for CA, NRCS COMET-Planner 3.0 elsewhere), line up a Technical Assistance Provider, submit. Spanish version at https://www.zerofoodprint.org/restore-espanol. Questions: grants@zerofoodprint.org.

Deadline text on the page: Applications are currently closed and will reopen October 1, 2026. (Prior round per Feb-2026 guidelines PDF: 'The application period runs from March 3, 2026 until April 7, 2026.')

Zero Foodprint's Restore program pays farmers and ranchers up to $25,000 per round to implement one&#x2004;to four NRCS-standard regenerative practices (compost application, cover crops, hedgerows, prescribed grazing, etc.) that sequester carbon. Projects are ranked competitively on cost per ton of CO2e sequestered (COMET-Planner), with ranking boosts for socially disadvantaged producers and for suppliers to ZFP member businesses. A Technical Assistance Provider (NRCS office, conservation district, extension, or qualified individual) must sign on; TA costs are paid on top of the grant. One application covers all four eligible states (CA, CO, OR, WA); there is no longer a separate Restore CA / Restore CO application (both legacy URLs redirect to /apply).



Zero Foodprint's Restore program pays farmers and ranchers up to $25,000 per round to implement one to four NRCS-standard regenerative practices (compost application, cover crops, hedgerows, prescribed grazing, etc.) that sequester carbon. Projects are ranked competitively on cost per ton of CO2e sequestered (COMET-Planner), with ranking boosts for socially disadvantaged producers and for suppliers to ZFP member businesses. A Technical Assistance Provider (NRCS office, conservation district, extension, or qualified individual) must sign on; TA costs are paid on top of the grant. One application covers all four eligible states (CA, CO, OR, WA); there is no longer a separate Restore CA / Restore CO application (both legacy URLs redirect to /apply).

All managers and owners of agricultural operations in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington are eligible to apply. Applicants must be producing food for human consumption on agricultural land (food, feed for animals for human consumption, or beverage). Applications must include at least 1 approved management practice; a Technical Assistance Provider is required; property owner approval or proof of right to manage the land is required. Applicants may only receive one grant per funding round and must not have exceeded the $75,000 lifetime maximum. Applicants who can readily afford the practice are asked to refrain from applying.

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

Grant

Competitive bid: grant project bid + TA estimate divided by modeled CO2e sets cost-per-ton rank; each of up to 2 boosts cuts ranked cost 30%. Outside cost-share may not exceed two times the project bid. Payment: 50% advance, 30% on Project Update Form, final 20% on TAP verification. Practices must be implemented within 12 months of contract; maintenance may be required up to five years; one-time one-year extension available. Notification within six weeks of window close.

Published amounts: The maximum grant request is $25,000. The minimum grant request is $1,500. Technical Assistance costs are covered in addition to the grant amount. Lifetime maximum receipt of $75,000 in Restore grants per recipient.

List of Zero Foodprint (ZFP) Funding Opportunities