About this archived opportunity

Background The Sustainable California Grown Cannabis Pilot Program (SCGC Pilot Program) was created to improve the state’s access to data related to outdoor cannabis cultivation to formulate best management practices that can be used by cultivators statewide. One of the primary goals of regulating cannabis in California is to help address environmental benefits and concerns associated with its cultivation. For example, greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction potential, sustainable land use, soil health benefits, ecological health benefits, pesticide use, and water resource management, are some of the many environmental interests associated with cannabis agriculture. Senate Bill 170 (Skinner, Budget Act of 2021, Chapter 240) included funding to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to develop and administer a Sustainable California Grown Cannabis (SCGC) pilot study. The program will fund research that develops environmentally sustainable best management practices (BMPs) in outdoor cannabis agriculture. Funding will also be provided to incentivize licensed legacy outdoor cannabis growers to participate in the collection of data to benchmark BMPs. The study will focus on sustainable water and energy use; pest management and fertilizer practices; and overall ecological health. Applicants may focus on specific practices associated with one or more of these areas. Eligibility, Funding, and Duration CDFA may award up to $7.5 million to the following eligible organizations; Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), public and private academic institutions located within California, non-profits, and federally- and California-recognized Native American Indian Tribes. The maximum award amount is $2,500,000 for the duration of the 3 year grant term. CDFA reserves the right to offer an award different than the amount requested. Grant funds may not be expended prior to execution of the grant agreements for awarded projects, or after the completion of the grant agreement term.