Agriculture
Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) - originally, Soil Conservation Districts - have worked alongside the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide assistance to agricultural producers since the 1940s. Only in recent years has the RCDTC branched out into other areas of natural resource management.
The RCDTC's current agricultural projects include the Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL), carbon farm planning, assisting farmers and ranchers in applying to the CDFA's Halthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), and administration of the Shasta-Tehama Watershed Education Coalition (STWEC).
Si necesita asistencia en español, envíe un mensaje y pida por Petra - agriculture at tehamacountyrcd.org
The RCDTC works with landowners and agricultural producers to develop Carbon Farm Plans. Carbon Farming involves implementing on-farm practices known to improve the rate at which plants transfer carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it to plant material and/or soil organic matter. Carbon Farm Plans serve as guiding documents for producers to meet their management goals while supporting production, wildlife habitat, and carbon sequestration.
CDFA HSP - Healthy Soils Program
The RCDTC offers free application assistance to the CDFA Healthy Soils Program (HSP), which provides financial incentives to California growers and ranchers to implement conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases, and improve soil health.
UPDATE: HSP application period opens January 22, 2024 through February 9, 2024.
Shasta-Tehama Watershed Education Coalition (STWEC)
The Shasta-Tehama Watershed Coalition (STWEC) is a voluntary coalition of commercial irrigators in Shasta and Tehama Counties. For more information, please visit stwec.org.
The Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) is a free service that provides on-site evaluations of agricultural irrigation systems. The primary function of the MIL is to provide comprehensive reports to producers that detail how their irrigation system is performing, including tips, suggestions, and recommendations based on data collected during the inspection. Sign up for the 2024 evaluation season by contacting Kevin Greer at kgreer@tehamacountyrcd.org or by calling (530) 727-1297.
RCDTC SWEEP Block Grant
As a CDFA block grant recipient, the RCDTC is accepting applications from Tehama and southern Shasta County farmers and ranchers for direct SWEEP funding. RCDTC offers free application support, technical assistance, and funding for on-farm irrigation and pump improvement projects.