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UC ANR's Climate Smart Agriculture Program

CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture Programs
Technical Assistance Providers
Resources

What is Climate-Smart Agriculture?

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) addresses the risks that climate change poses to agriculture. It encompasses practices that:

  • Increase soil carbon
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Improve water use efficiency

Program Overview 

In 2018, the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) developed a joint program to provide technical assistance in applying for and implementing Climate Smart Agriculture Incentives Programs, which helps agricultural producers build climate change resilience, increase water use efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

How do we provide technical assistance? 

UC ANR's team of Community Education Specialists provide technical assistance, outreach, and education to increase the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices targeted at soil health, manure management, and water use efficiency across California.

To provide technical assistance, education, and outreach we:

  • Establish and maintain grower connections
  • Develop and present flyers, case studies, blogs, newsletters, and fact sheets
  • Lead trainings, field days, on-farm visits, and workshops
  • Participate in and communicate research findings
  • Support project design, application, implementation, monitoring, and verification of CDFA's financial incentive programs
  • Provide translation services and computer access
  • Tailor assistance to support Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Priority Populations
Find a Technical Assistance Provider in your area
Find a Technical Assistance Provider in your area

Program Team: Hope Zabronsky (CIWR/UC ANR), Nicki Anderson (CIWR/UC ANR Ventura County), Caddie Bergen (CIWR/UC ANR Merced County), Amber Butland (CIWR/UC ANR Fresno County), Amanda Charles (CIWR/UC ANR Sonoma County), Lizzeth Mendoza (CIWR/UC ANR Glenn County), Heather Montgomery (CIWR/UC ANR Sutter/Yuba Counties), Esther Mosase (CIWR/UC ANR San Diego County), Ana Resendiz (CIWR/UC ANR Imperial County), Ben Faber (UC ANR Ventura County), Ruth Dahlquist-Willard (UC ANR Fresno County), Betsy Karle (UC ANR Glenn County), Erik Porse (CIWR/UC ANR), and Doug Parker (CIWR/UC ANR through June 2022)

Program Support: CDFA Contract #19-1001-000-SO, #19-1007-000-SO, 19-0969-000-SO, #19-0971-000-SO

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