Flying honey bee collecting pollen from tree blossom
Flying honey bee collecting pollen from tree blossom. Photo By MPeev (Adobe Stock)

Press Release provided by the California Department of Food and Agriculture 

CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) has selected 10 organizations to receive $12.25 million in funding through a new competitive grant program, the Pollinator Habitat Program (PHP).  

The PHP was established by the Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 170, Skinner) in which CDFA was appropriated $15 million to provide grant funding for the establishment of pollinator habitat on agricultural lands throughout California. CDFA was directed to administer the Pollinator Habitat Program and to prioritize the planning of native habitats for the benefit of native biodiversity and the use of locally appropriate native plant seed mixes when feasible. 

“CDFA is pleased to make this investment in pollinator habitat on California farms and ranches. Pollinators are not only vital to our ecosystems, but they are also essential to over a third of our crops, helping to produce a wide variety of California-grown fruits, nuts, and vegetables,” said Secretary Karen Ross. “The Pollinator Habitat Program demonstrates how working lands can help safeguard California’s diverse ecosystems.” 

CDFA accepted applications from September 2022 through November 23, 2022. Resource Conservation Districts, non-profit organizations, the University of California, California State Universities, California community colleges, and California and federally recognized Tribes were eligible to apply for up to $2,000,000 in funding to work directly with farmers and ranchers to install habitat and implement management practices that support pollinators. 

To find out more about PHP and to review a list of the awarded organizations please visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/php/.

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