$2.5M Fund To Assist Small Farmers in Humboldt, Trinity Counties Unveiled

Assistance to struggling farmers is underway in two of the three counties in the Emerald Triangle, and funds are available to improve drought resilience and license compliance.

Conservative cannabis (CFC)is a Humboldt County, California-based 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit that has announced a $2.5 million grant to support small cannabis farmers through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Cannabis Restoration Grant Program Via eligible cultivator funding opportunities, according to Feb. 28 press release.

Smallholder farmers in the Emerald Triangle, a region whose economy is built on cannabis farming, are being “brought to the brink” by the impact of legalization, says Cal Matters. reportThe area is home to over 250,000 people, and almost everyone who lives in the area is one of the following: are directly or indirectly dependent on cannabisCannabis has been a staple crop in the area since the 70s, with several farms operating for generations. According to locals, the provision of subsidies could not be more urgent.

Two grants announced – implementation of drought recovery strategies on cannabis farms in Humboldt County and transition from interim to annual licenses for growers in Trinity County – will support 89 farms across eight priority watersheds. together to support environmental work.

Jackie Riccio, co-founder and executive director of CFC, said:

CFC’s Drought Resilience Program aims to improve sustainable water consumption on approximately 17 farms. They do this by installing rainwater catchment systems, increasing water storage capacity, and/or enhancing and improving irrigation.They believe this will lead to improvements on the farm drought resilience Reduces direct impact on water sources during periods of low flow.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “the frequency, intensity and duration of droughts” It has increased at an unprecedented rate.

However, the point of this is not to turn small farms into monopolies. The CFC stipulates that none of these water quality improvements are used to increase cultivation footprint, farm size, or number of licenses, but rather reduce or eliminate extraction from water resources. In some cases, farms are converted to 100% reservoirs.

Meanwhile, the Provisional License to Annual License program aims to help 72 Trinity growers obtain annual licenses from the County and Cannabis Control (DCC). The grant “completes the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance and Mitigation Documents for Certain Species of Special Status, including permitting a Technical Advisory Board between the CDFW, CFC, and counties, It aims to provide expert assistance to small farmers in finalizing their annual licenses, quickly resolving any licensing obstacles that arise.”

CEQA is a California law dating back to 1970 that requires an environmental review of proposed cultivation projects. All State Annual Cannabis Licenses Must Comply with CEQA. DCC can issue an annual license only if the project complies with his CEQA.In addition, DCC has requirements Describe standard operating procedures, employee training, and how to set up operations.

CFC’s applied conservation approach focuses on collaborative on-farm research, biodiversity enhancement, and environmental education.

The goal is to bring together scientists and farmers to implement peer-reviewed conservation action that benefits wildlife, land and water.

“Working with farmers and transforming monocultures into functional agroecosystems is a preferred strategy among conservationists around the world and we are here in the heart of cannabis country to bring this We are doing our part to return to the values ​​of returning to the land where the industry was born from, ”Riccio added.