The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has begun accepting applications for the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). The AMMP is one of two programs designed by CDFA to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The program will provide $9-16 million dollars in grants to California dairy and livestock operators to implement non-digester manure management practices that reduce their methane emissions.
Earth First Construction, a California educational non-profit organization, under a grant from the CDFA is holding four Technical Assistance Workshops. These workshops will provide technical assistance with the application process and are free of charge. At the two-hour workshop participants will learn about the application process, scoring and how to submit the application through the online application tool, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Monday, October 2, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

In addition to the four workshops underwritten by a grant from the CDFA and the California Strategic Growth Council, Earth First Construction is offering the Manure Solutions Seminar. This three-hour seminar includes these speakers and topics:

Jeff Weisel, Dairy Advisor, Chosen Acres, “Separating Solids and Green Bedding”

Lew Douglas, CEO, Urth Agriculture, “Microbial Solutions for Manure and Forage”

Dick Wullaert, CEO, Bioguard Industries, “Functional Water – Water that Serves a Purpose”

Ed Ober, Director, Sustainable Practices Associates, “Key Factors in Writing Successful Grants”

This Seminar will be held one time at the International Agri-Center in Tulare on September 11, 2017 from 9:00 to 12:00 pm. Door opens at 8:30 am. The seminar is registration cost is $125. However, if a participant registers for both the Technical Assistance workshop and the Seminar then the registration cost is only $50 a savings of $75. Complete details and registration available at www.ManureSolutions.org

The free of charge Technical Assistance workshop is being offered on the following dates and times:

Monday, September 11, 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the International Agri-Center, Tulare

Tuesday, September 12 at the Tulare County Library in Visalia, the workshop will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am; at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

For complete details and registration visit www.ManureSolutions.org – Space is limited to 40 people at the Seminar and either 20 or 40 people at each workshop depending on the location.

NOTE – THE AMMP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas 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. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.