{"id":23812,"date":"2022-01-12T16:15:29","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T23:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/?p=23812"},"modified":"2022-01-12T16:15:29","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T23:15:29","slug":"governor-newsoms-california-blueprint-provides-meaningful-and-historic-opportunities-for-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/index.php\/2022\/01\/12\/governor-newsoms-california-blueprint-provides-meaningful-and-historic-opportunities-for-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Newsom\u2019s California Blueprint provides meaningful and historic opportunities for agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Governor Gavin Newsom\u2019s California Blueprint, the proposed state budget for 2022-2023, will provide a number of meaningful opportunities for rural California, including agriculture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe investments in this budget are a huge boost for our rural communities as we continue our work for sustainable and resilient food systems and the development of Climate Smart Agriculture programs,\u201d said CDFA secretary Karen Ross. \u201cWhen we factor in last year\u2019s historic investments we have a truly unique opportunity to meet the challenges and opportunities presented to us in the 21st<\/sup> century.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budget highlights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Resilience and our state\u2019s Port Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$2.3 billion to leverage the $17 billion in federal funding (through IIJA) to upgrade our supply chain infrastructure.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$110 million over three years to establish a Goods Movement Training Campus<\/strong> for the adoption of new technologies to enhance supply chain movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nature-based Solutions for Natural and Working Lands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2021 Budget included $768 million one-time General Fund over two years to support implementation of the state\u2019s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy and 30×30 Pathways strategy.<\/strong> The Administration has released drafts of these strategies and will incorporate public input into the final documents and proposed budget that will be forthcoming in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drought Resilience and Response<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$750 million for drought in addition to the $5.2 billion, over 3 years, designated in the last year\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multibenefit Land Repurposing<\/strong> – $40 million in additional funding to increase regional capacity to repurpose irrigated agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groundwater recharge <\/strong>is proposed at $30 million to provide grants to water districts to plan and implement recharge projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CDFA\u2019s SWEEP Program<\/strong> stands to receive $20 million in this budget for grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on agricultural operations. This is in addition to $50 million already designated in last fall\u2019s supplemental budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Assistance and Drought Relief for Small Farmers<\/strong> – $10 million ($5 million to CDFA, and an additional $5 million to DWR) to provide mobile irrigation labs, land use mapping and imagery, irrigation education, and direct assistance to small farmers and ranchers who have experienced water cost increases of more than 50 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate Smart Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$85 million for the Healthy Soils Program<\/strong> for on-farm conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce GHG emissions, and improve soil health.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

$48 million for our Methane Reduction Programs<\/strong> – dairy digesters and alternative manure management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$25 million to the Climate Catalyst Fund<\/strong> for critical infrastructure projects that help agriculture address the impacts of climate change and be part of the solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$15 million for Pollinator Habitat<\/strong>, part of our commitment to biodiversity and nature-based solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$22 million for the Conservation Agriculture Planning Grants Program,<\/strong> which will help farmers and ranchers develop plans that identify actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$150 million for the successful \u201cFARMER\u201d program under CARB to replace older farm vehicles and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$5 million in General Fund dollars for research into GHG reductions, associated with livestock methane reduction strategies and projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm to School \/ Career Training Investments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$30 million (one-time) to expand the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program <\/strong>and $3 million (ongoing) to establish the regional California Farm to School Network. This is in addition to $30 million already designated in last fall\u2019s supplemental budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$450 million (available over three years) to upgrade school kitchen infrastructure and equipment to incorporate more fresh, minimally processed California-grown foods in school meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$50 million in one-time General Fund dollars to support equipment and facilities upgrades at the CSU University Farms, which provide hands-on experience for career preparation in climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, animal welfare, food processing, and water and natural resources management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These career and training investments are in addition to $60 million to be invested through grant solicitations by the Workforce Development Board and the Labor Agency’s Workforce Services Branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$185 million to UC for applied climate research; establishment of regional innovation hubs; and, workforce development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Programs at CDFA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several CDFA budget change proposals would fund positions to implement recently passed legislation important to us all: <\/p>\n\n\n\n