Programs

Soil Health & Conservation

Soil & Manure Sampling | Erosion Control | Rangeland Management | No-Till Drill | Carbon Farming | Biochar | Demo Projects

Before Resource Conservation Districts assisted in the management of all natural resources local to their district, they were Soil Conservation Districts, as preempted by the the great Dust Bowl event of the 1940s. SCDs were created to conserve and protect the health of our nation’s soils as the foundation for agricultural health and stability.

Today, Gold Ridge RCD still assists in managing our district’s soil health by offering soil and manure sampling services, completing projects that prevent and treat soil erosion, developing sustainable pasture and rangeland management plans, developing carbon farm plans (strategic planning for farms and ranches to curb and sequester greenhouse gas emissions) and improving the availability of resources related to the specialized material Biochar. The RCD also rents out a special piece of equipment called a non tillage drill which conserves vital soil microbial health while sowing seed.

 

Healthy Soils News

Financial Assistance for Compost Application on Ag Lands
The Gold Ridge and Sonoma Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are happy to announce that new funding has become available to assist with the cost of compost application on agricultural lands in Sonoma County! This Carbon Sequestration Pilot Project (Project) aims to increase carbon sequestration through the application of compost on multiple properties in both agricultural and community settings throughout Sonoma County.

This will be structured as a reimbursement program, and if selected, rebates of up to 85% or up to $25,000 of costs will be awarded to agricultural producers for compost materials and associated freight costs. Cost of spreading of compost is ineligible for rebate, but acceptable as cost share. Applicants receiving awards will be responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and applying the compost before rebate payments are issued. Compost used for the project needs to be thoroughly composted, provided by a qualified supplier, and have appropriate C:N ratios and moisture content. For additional compost rebate resources visit: Compost Rebate | Zero Waste Sonoma.

Awardees will be granted rebates through a competitive ranking process. Applications will be due by March 31, 2023, and applicants will be notified if they are receiving an award by the end of April. Awardees will work with their RCD to develop a written agreement in spring 2023. This agreement will clarify the conditions required for compost application and the rebate payment terms. The compost needs to be procured and applied on the awardee's agricultural lands by November 1, 2023. Following verification of the compost application, rebates will be processed and sent to the awardee.

Learn more about the program here.