The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) announced it is now accepting public comments on its draft Request for Grant Applications (RGAs) for the next round of methane reduction funding to be awarded through its Climate Smart Agriculture Incentives Programs, including the Dairy Digester Research & Development Program (DDRDP) and Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP).

CDFA said DDRDP and AMMP provide financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters and non-digester manure management practices on dairy and livestock operations in California that will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. These programs also incentivize demonstration of new technologies and practices that show promise in achieving methane reductions on California dairy and livestock operations, the agency added.

The draft RGAs establish parameters by which competitive grants for DDRDP and AMMP must be submitted and evaluated. The draft RGAs can be found on the following webpages under CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation:

• Dairy Digester Research & Development Program (DDRDP);

• Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), and

• AMMP Demonstration Projects.

CDFA said public comments on the draft guidelines will be accepted through 5 p.m. PST on Dec. 24, 2019 (15-day comment period). Comments regarding the draft guidelines must be submitted to the specific email address noted on each draft document listed above.

CDFA noted that AMMP and DDRDP are part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.