Sonoma-Marin Agriculture County Climate Coalition
USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart CommoditiesThrough this Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, the USDA is investing a historic $3.1 billion in 141 selected projects that will lead pilots to create market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart production practices. The Sonoma-Marin Ag and County Climate Coalition (SMACCC) Carbon Farming project will create and support a regional supply chain of diverse climate-smart agricultural commodities and catalyze the development of a regional carbon finance program to sustain and scale implementation and implementation support over the long term. This project is funded by a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities award, as well as $2.35 million in match from partner organizations. It will support the production and marketing of climate-smart commodities by providing voluntary incentives to producers and landowners to implement climate-smart agricultural production practices on working lands.
The Sonoma-Marin Agriculture & County Climate Coalition, part of USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, will collaboratively lead an investment of $10 million to implement climate-smart agricultural practices and pilot a marketing campaign for climate-smart products. Climate-smart agriculture uses an integrated approach to managing landscapes that addresses the interlinked challenges of food security and accelerating climate change. Examples of climate-smart practices that will be eligible for funding through the project include agroforestry such as windbreaks, hedgerows and silvopasture, compost application, cover crops, prescribed grazing, alternative manure management, reduced tillage, etc.
Project Goals
Over the course of five years, project partners will provide carbon farming support to up to 73 producers, covering approximately 13,686 acres of agricultural land. The greenhouse gas benefits of the practices implemented through this project are estimated to be 253,613 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over 20 years. Partners will also conduct marketing, outreach, and educational efforts to build up a strong and sustainable market for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. Anchored in historic local conservation partnerships, the adaptive co-management approach of the project is designed to serve as a regional model for coordinated climate-smart agriculture implementation and to be scalable to any region in the state or country.
Enhance Climate-Smart Agricultural Production
Support producers and landowners, including early adopters, in implementing voluntary climate-smart agricultural practices, activities, and systems on working lands to promote the production of climate-smart commodities.
Measure and Verify Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Benefits
Implement mechanisms to measure, monitor, and verify the carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits associated with the adopted climate-smart agricultural practices, ensuring accurate and reliable data on environmental impact.
Develop Markets & Promote Climate-Smart Commodity Markets
Establish and promote markets for climate-smart commodities, facilitating the marketing and distribution of products produced through climate-smart practices, thereby supporting the economic viability of participating producers and landowners.
Project Partners
The SMACCC represents a large partnership effort across multiple organizations from both Sonoma and Marin counties, with Sonoma County acting as the lead entity. Partners on this project who will receive pass-through funds include:
Marin Resource Conservation District
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District
Sonoma Resource Conservation District
Agricultural Institute of Marin
University of California Cooperative Extension
Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority
Project partners were selected to build upon long-standing partnerships between County governments, Resource Conservation Districts, University Extension Services, climate, and ag-centered community-based organizations, and USDA NRCS.
Technical Advisory Committee - Seeking Producers - Due 3/22/2024!
The Coalition is seeking 8 local agricultural producers – four crop farmers (orchard, vineyard, fruits and veggies) and four local dairy/rangeland producers – to join its Implementation Technical Advisory Committee working to advise your local RCD staff. This is a special opportunity for producers to play a critical role in driving the success of climate-smart agriculture within these two counties.
Members of the Technical Advisory Committee will collaborate on developing outreach strategies and set ranking criteria to allocate funding for climate smart practices. Agricultural producer insights and on-the-ground experience are crucial to provide resources in the most helpful manner.
Who is Eligible?
Individuals who have engaged in farming, ranching, and other agricultural practices to manage crops, orchards, vineyards, livestock, dairy products, and natural fibers. Individuals may be owners, managers, or workers of farms that are independently owned and operated and located in the Counties of Marin and/or Sonoma.
Technical Advisory Committee Terms
- Stipend: Members will receive a stipend of $100 per hour for 3 meetings/year plus mileage for any in-person commitments. Compensation will be up to $400/mtg with an approximate time commitment of 3-4 hrs per meeting., including preparation and travel time.
- Meetings: The committee will convene three times per calendar year.
- Duration: This is a 3-year commitment, offering a chance to make a lasting impact. If you need to leave before that time we will outreach for a replacement.
- Eligibility for funding: TAC members are eligible to receive funding for projects.
Selection: Committee members will be chosen through a public application process, ensuring a fair representation of our agricultural community’s rich diversity. We encourage applications from agricultural producers as well as organizations who serve small to medium-sized and socially disadvantaged Sonoma and Marin County ag producers and farmworkers, including but not limited to BIMPOC (Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, and People of Color), LGBTQ+, women and veterans.
Expertise: We’re looking for individuals with depth of knowledge and experience in climate-smart farming.
Interested applicants should complete our online form by March 22, 2024. We anticipate completing Committee Member selection by April 2024.
Contact Us
If you are interested in participating in the program please contact your local RCD for more information.
Sonoma RCD
Anya Starovoytov
707-569-1448 x110
Gold Ridge RCD
Emma Wood
707-823-5244
This work is supported by a subaward from a federal grant, led by the County of Sonoma.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR233A750004G065.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, any reference to specific brands or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for those products or services.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
