Farming & Ranching
San Diego County is home to the largest number of small farms as well as the largest number of organic producers out of any county in the United States.
Agriculture is vital to our region’s economy and culture, and yet the amount of agricultural land in use decreases every year due to lack of support and value for this key industry. The RCD is committed to supporting farmers and ranchers by monitoring soil healthy and water efficiency, educating about on-farm conservation practices, and assisting with funding applications.
To contact us about agriculture, email ag@rcdsandiego.org. If you would like to receive our monthly Farmer and Rancher newsletter, subscribe here. You can also read prior newsletters below.
2023
- April 2023 - Announcement
- March 2023 - Announcements
- February 2023 - Announcements
- January 2023 - Meat Processing Facing a Bottleneck Issue
- January 2023 - El Procesamiento de Carne Se Enfrenta a Unos Retos
2022
- December 2022 - Farming from a Different Perspective
- November 2022 - Support for Growers in Transition to Organic
- October 2022 - Local Vineyards Making Their Mark
- September 2022 - Grazing for Fire
- August 2022 - Tidings from Our Tijuana River Valley Farm and Gardens
- July 2022 - Agritourism
- June 2022 – Gathering Around the Grove
- May 2022 – The Next Phase of the San Diego Ag Planning Program
- March 2022 – Spring Safari at Rancho JamulApril 2022 – Irrigation Support
- February 2022 – Keeping an Ear to the Ground
- January 2022 – Rain Rain, Don’t Go Away!
2021
- Spring 2021 Newsletter – Preparing for a Dry Summer
- July 2021 Newsletter – Small Farmers’ Deep Roots
- Julio 2021 Gazeta en Español – Pequeños Agricultores
- November 2021 – Regional Ag
- December 2021 – Stories from the Field
- Fall 2020 Newsletter – Seeds for Bees Recipient
- Summer 2020 Newsletter – Interview with Belinda Xu
EXTENDED - OPEN NOW: CUSP Direct Farmer Grant Program for Drought Relief
Deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 15th
These direct grants will assist small-scale and historically underserved producers to apply for relief grants for those most in need of immediate drought assistance. If you can show that your operation has been affected by drought (sales or crop loss reports, water bill rate or usage increase, etc) and have not already received drought relief from a CDFA program, you may be eligible for up to $20,000 to recover your losses; average award is $5,000 to $10,000.
Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to:
- Increased electric utility bills of 50% or more due to increased electricity rates
- Surface water costs if increase from year prior
- Cost of hauling water for livestock
- Lowering ag well pumps if a primary source of water is lost
- Emergency upgrades to irrigation system (paired with conservation)
- Decreased crop yields/crop loss due to less water available or having to fallow land
Not Covered:
- Drilling new well
- Upgrading pump to a larger size which would draw more water
Producers must apply for the funds through CA Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) at this link.
See the programs and services we provide for farmers and ranchers below!
