The purpose of AEWQA is to accelerate and incentivize the implementation of sediment, nutrient, and irrigation management practices on agricultural and equestrian operations in the three major watersheds (Ventura River, Santa Clara River, and Calleguas Creek) of Ventura County. The goal is to improve water quality in our county.

• Implementation funds (up to 60% of hardware costs) for agricultural management and irrigation efficiency upgrades which improve stream water quality in Ventura County. 

For more information on AEWQA, click here. 

Free comprehensive plans available for agricultural operations:

1. Nutrient Management Plans, and
2. Carbon Farm Plans.

More CAPGP details here.

Reimbursement funding available for expenses and losses on agricultural and working lands due to drought. 

• Up to $20,000 in reimbursements every 12 months.

More details on eligibility and reimbursable expenses/losses here.

Reimbursement funding available for expenses and losses on agricultural and working lands due to approved extreme weather events.

• Up to $20,000 in reimbursements every 12 months.

More details on eligibility and reimbursable expenses/losses here.

HSP provides cost-share up to $200,000 to farmers and ranchers to implement healthy soil practices, including compost application, cover cropping, hedgerow planting, prescribed grazing, mulch, and much more!

More on HSP eligibility and application here.

This is the second iteration of the IIMRLN program at VCRCD. The purpose is to reduce the amount of nitrogen leaching into our water systems through the use of Nutrient and Irrigation Management (NIM) stations and technical assistance.

Learn more about IIMRLN here.

Through our Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL), VCRCD assists producers with orchards, row crops, and nurseries by evaluating the distribution uniformity of their irrigation systems.

OTP is a new CDFA grant program designed to provide direct financial and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers with land under transition to organic (pre-certification).

More on OTP eligibility and application here.

VCRCD in partnership with Cachuma RCD (CRCD), Community Environmental Council (CEC), and Santa Barbara Botanical Garden (SBBG) are offering reimbursements up to $200,000 for the implementation of pollinator habitat on agricultural landscapes that meet pre-approved NRCS practice standards. 

• Pre-approved practices include cover crops, hedgerows, wildlife habitat planting and so much more!
• More on PHP here.
• Application is now closed.

SWEEP is a CDFA program which provides financial incentives (up to $200,000) for CA agricultural operations to invest in systems that BOTH reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

More on SWEEP here.

Application is now closed.

VCRCD can offer several free technical services through this CDFA grant:

1. Free irrigation evaluations,
2. Free agricultural irrigation pump efficiency tests,
3. Implementation of Nutrient and Irrigation Management (NIM) stations, and 
4. Assistance in developing Nitrogen Management Plans (NMPs).

More on WETA here.

• Calleguas Creek Watershed Agricultural Management Measures Program (CCWAMMP)
• CDFA’s Healthy Soil Program – Compost & Mulch Research 
• Evapotranspiration Research Project
• Interactive Irrigation Management to Reduce the Leaching of Nitrogen (IIMRLN) 1