What is the USDA Climate Smart Grant? 

Blue Diamond Growers, an agricultural cooperative that specializes in California almonds, was awarded up to $45 million by the USDA from the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Grant (CSG) to implement climate-smart practices over five years. This effort will result in the introduction of a ‘climate smart’ almond to the marketplace. The Blue Diamond USDA Climate-Smart Grant (CSG) program is a voluntary, cost-share incentive program that provides Blue Diamond member-growers, or growers that farm on a Blue Diamond orchard, seed and plant material and direct, financial reimbursement for implementing one or more of the following practices: cover cropping, conservation cover, hedgerows and whole orchard recycling.

PAm's Partnership 

Project Apis m. (PAm) partners with Blue Diamond Growers in the Climate Smart Grant to help growers achieve numerous sustainability goals. Their main contribution is their Seeds for Bees program (SFB). SFB provides seeds, technical assistance, and facilitates seed planting tactics to growers in California’s Central Valley. PAm's SFB program enhances grower competitiveness through discounted bulk seed purchases and free shipping within California's Central Valley. With support from BDG and other partners, SFB has worked with over 1600 growers to plant over 75,000 acres of cover crops in California since the program began in 2015. The five-year Climate Smart grant will expand these initiatives and integrate innovative climate-smart practices, building on the BDG/PAm partnership's successful track record.

Seeds for Bees Cover Crop Mixes for The Climate Smart Grant

Project Apis m.'s (PAm) program Seeds for Bees (SFB) offers seed mixes available to Seeds for Bees and Climate Smart Grant eligible growers. They are designed to bloom at critical times of the year when natural forage is scarce. Seeds for Bees encourages the use of cover crops to increase the density, diversity, and duration of bee forage in California working lands while improving soil health and crop production.​ Below are the cover crop mixes available to growers enrolled in the Climate Smart Grant program. 
PAm Pollinator Brassica Mix
This mix is the authority in the cover cropping in California’s Central Valley. The reason why is clear: it's economical, it has a high probability of success in the toughest conditions, it’s low input, and it’s a multi-benefit powerhouse for the grower. This tried-and-true combination is our most drought-tolerant mix, at times yielding 5 feet or taller stands on only 3 inches of water Pollinator Brassica breaks up compacted ground, allowing for excellent water penetration in even the toughest soils. It occupies the landscape with abundant, brassy-yellow floral resources and provides powerful support for soil health. Click here for PAm Pollinator Brassica Mix details and planting instructions
PAm Annual Bee Clover Mix
If erosion control and increased nitrogen are desired, the PAm Clover Mix will do the job. This mix will begin blooming in February/March. Recent research suggests that a successful stand of this legume mix may fix about 80 lbs. of nitrogen per acre. The delicate, brittle nature of clovers makes it a good choice to encourage reseeding. Annual reseeding clovers will not become a weed issue. 
​Click here for PAm Clover Mix details and planting instructions
NitroBuilder (formerly called Vetch-Grain Mix)
Vetch, another legume, blooms later than all the other Seeds for Bees options. Its fine root hairs are excellent at stabilizing the soil surface and preventing erosion. Recent research suggests that a successful stand may fix more than 100 lbs. of nitrogen per acre. The “vine like” growing habit of this species allows it to work well when blended with small grains like triticale. Vetch should not be broadcasted in young orchards as it may grow up the tree trunks or irrigation systems. It is not recommended to allow this species to reseed inside an orchard. This mix now includes 10% Daikon Radish! Click here for NitroBuilder details and planting instructions

Conservation Cover Designed for The Climate Smart Grant

Conservation cover is meant to establish permanent vegetative cover on marginal or idle lands to protect soil and water resources, prevent erosion/runoff and enhance wildlife and pollinator habitat. 

Disclaimer for Conservation Cover uses:

Please note: Conservation Cover seed mix is designated for use in marginal or idle lands. Conservation cover is a permanent, perennial crop and is not recommended for planting inside the orchard or in productive agricultural land. 

Marginal or Idle land includes, but is not limited to areas such as:
  • Roadsides and roadways
  • Ditch banks
  • Non-productive land

Planting Information on Perennial Carbon Mix 2

Climate Smart Practices

Cover Cropping: 
  • The practice of planting a temporary crop, typically flowering and/or nitrogen-fixing species, after harvest with termination in late winter/early spring. Several species can be used as cover crops with each  one chosen to serve a specific need.

Conservation Cover:
  • Conservation Cover utilizes perennial, vegetative, plants to prevent soil erosion, capture water on idle or fallow land, that can provide several year-round benefits pollinators and other beneficial insects.
  • Conservation cover is intended to be a permanent installation, typically on fallowed, idle, or marginal land. Conservation cover is meant to be minimally managed for weeds to preserve the wildlife benefits and mitigate cost.​ ​

Have more questions about the USDA Climate Smart Habitat Grant? 

Contact Brett LeDuc
Climate Smart Habitat Manager

Contact Information: 
Email: Brett@projectapism.org
Cell: 818-383-2851

Learn More About USDA Climate Smart Grant

Linked information below provided by Blue Diamond Growers