California produces a third of the country's vegetables and three quarters of the country's fruits and nuts, yet our farms face climate change challenges like drought, extreme heat, new pests, and rising costs. CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience & Sustainability (OARS) uses science and agricultural knowledge to design and implement solutions for natural resource challenges, improving environmental and economic sustainability of food production.
How We Work
Incentivizing Climate-Smart On-Farm Practices
Our Impact Through Grants
Success Stories
Rosie Lee – Saving Water & Energy
Rosie Lee, a farmer in Merced County, switched from flood irrigation to drip systems and installed solar panels with the help of the OARS State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). Thanks to the financial support and hands-on technical assistance, she now saves 14.4 acre-inches of water annually and reduces greenhouse gas emissions—cutting costs while improving sustainability. Read More about her experience.
With support from the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, Vander Woude Dairy successfully implemented a covered lagoon digester, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program's funding and partnership enabled the family-owned dairy to take the financial leap into renewable energy, surpassing emission reduction expectations and generating additional revenue through low-carbon fuel credits. Read more about how CDFA's support helped drive sustainability and economic growth at Vander Woude Dairy.
With the support of the Healthy Soils Program (HSP), a California walnut grower successfully improved soil health, reduced pest infestations, and enhanced water conservation through composting, mulching, and cover cropping. HSP's financial and technical assistance enabled the grower to implement sustainable practices, leading to healthier soil, lower nematode populations, and increased farm resilience while transitioning to organic farming. Read more about how the Healthy Soils Program helped transform this orchard.