The governor’s office announced $81 million in climate-smart agriculture funding at COP31 to support projects across 55 counties; the release said the money will be distributed through the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Healthy Soils Program and the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP).
CDFA provided program results: SWEEP has supported more than 1,300 on-farm projects since 2014 and, the department said, has reduced about 1 million metric tons of CO2e and conserved 1.5 million acre-feet of water; HSP has funded more than 2,300 projects since 2017 and, CDFA said, reduced about 1.6 million metric tons of CO2e. Together, the department said, the programs have cut roughly 2.6 million metric tons of pollution, impacted nearly 390,000 acres, and delivered over $320 million in grants to producers.
The release said the $81 million is backed by Proposition 4, the $10 billion climate bond voters approved in 2024; the bond dedicates $300 million to climate-smart agriculture, including $65 million for soil health and $40 million for SWEEP. The governor’s office cautioned that the awards are tentative until CDFA completes the bond accountability approval process.
The release described practical steps for producers: local partners will help farmers apply for funding and implement practices that improve irrigation efficiency, increase soil carbon, and build drought resilience; CDFA said additional information and awardee lists will be posted at cdfa.ca.gov/oars as agreements are executed.
The governor’s release contrasted the state action with federal policy changes; it said the federal government canceled a $3.1 billion program that had supported emissions reductions and soil improvements and said higher diesel and fertilizer costs are increasing farm expenses.
“We’re backing them with proven tools to save water, build healthier soils, cut pollution, and keep farms productive for the long haul,” Governor said in the release. CDFA Secretary said the funds will pair technical assistance with regional support so producers can adopt water‑ and soil‑saving practices.
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named 2 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Karen Ross
Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture
Named once in this story.
Portrait: California Department of Food and Agriculture / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Sources & methodology
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