Agricultural Programs
VCRCD's Direct to Farmer Assistance
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.
Free comprehensive plans available for agricultural operations:
- Nutrient Management Plans,
- Pest Management Plans, and
- Carbon Farm Plans.
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.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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.
VCRCD can offer several free technical services through this CDFA grant:
- Free irrigation evaluations,
- Free agricultural irrigation pump efficiency tests,
- Implementation of Nutrient and Irrigation Management (NIM) stations, and
- Assistance in developing Nitrogen Management Plans (NMPs).
Interested in conservation solutions in Ventura County?
Fill out the intake form below to let VCRCD know your resource concerns so we can better support conservation on agricultural and working lands!