At COP31, Governor Newsom announces $81 million to fund climate-smart agriculture projects to support California farmers across 55 counties

alifornia voters recognized the importance of investing in climate resilience when they approved the Climate Bond in 2024,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “These funds help ensure that farmers and ranchers have the tools, technical assistance, and regional support needed to adopt practices that improve water efficiency, increase soil health, and support long-term sustainability.”

California’s climate-smart agriculture results 

Since 2014, SWEEP has supported over 1,300 on-farm projects to improve irrigation water and energy use efficiency. SWEEP projects have resulted in: 

Since 2017, the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) has funded more than 2,300 on-farm projects across California. 

Together, the two programs have reduced emissions equivalent to removing 610,000 cars from the road, impacted nearly 390,000 acres, and provided over $320 million in grants to producers for climate-smart agriculture.

Backed by the climate bond voters approved

Funding for these climate-smart agriculture projects comes from Proposition 4, the $10 billion climate bond approved by California voters in 2024. The bond includes $300 million for climate-smart agriculture, including $65 million to improve soil health and store more carbon in the ground and $40 million for SWEEP, which helps farmers save water and energy. 

Additional information about HSP and SWEEP, including future producer funding opportunities and contact information for the block grant recipients, will be available at cdfa.ca.gov/oars as awards are executed and agreements begin.  The list of awardees and their service areas can be found here. These awards are tentative until CDFA receives approval through the bond accountability process.  

Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food systems

Home to one of the world’s five Mediterranean-climate regions, California is the nation’s leading producer of milk and specialty crops. Its agricultural reach is substantial:

• 400-plus commodities: California produces over 400 commodities and supplies nearly half of the country’s vegetables, over three-quarters of the nation’s fruits and nuts.

• Milk production: The state produces about 20 percent of the nation’s milk.

• Economic contribution: In 2025 alone, California agriculture generated $64.7 billion in sales, accounting for 11% of total U.S. agricultural sales and exported $26.1 billion in goods. 

California’s agricultural story is one of constant adaptation, responding to climate pressures — like drought, flooding, rising temperatures, and new pest pressures — while continuing to grow food for the world under some of the strongest environmental and labor standards anywhere.

Governor Newsom has made agricultural resilience part of California’s climate strategy.

Supporting climate-smart agriculture

• $1.1 billion: Governor Newsom’s 2021 California Comeback Plan committed $1.1 billion over two years to help agriculture adapt to climate change.

• Water resilience: In 2023, the Newsom administration announced nearly $300 million for groundwater sustainability, irrigation efficiency, and carbon-sequestration projects.

• Farmland protection: In October 2025, the Newsom administration approved more than $128 million to protect over 40,000 acres, including projects that will return 11,316 acres to California Native American tribes.

Connecting farms, schools, and healthy meals

• Universal school meals: California provides school meals at no cost to students under legislation Governor Newsom signed in 2021. Nearly 3.5 billion meals had been served by June 2026.

• Farm to School: Championed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the program connects California agriculture with school nutrition. Since 2021, the state has committed $120 million, with $86 million awarded to 375 projects that reach 49% of California’s students. The 2026-2027 state budget makes grant funding permanent at $24.6 million a year.

• Ongoing support: Governor Newsom signed SB 172 in July 2026, permanently establishing Farm to School in state law.

California at COP31

COP31 is the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an annual global climate conference that brings together world leaders, scientists, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to advance action on climate change. Held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9–20, 2026, the conference is hosted by Türkiye, with Australia leading the negotiations. This year’s focus is on implementation: turning climate commitments into concrete, measurable results.

As a founding member of the Under2 Coalition and the U.S. Climate Alliance, and with Governor Newsom serving as co-chair of America Is All In, California is demonstrating how states and regions can sustain international cooperation, accelerate clean energy, and deliver climate solutions that lower costs, create jobs, and strengthen resilience, even as the federal government retreats.

California’s delegation includes Governor Gavin Newsom; First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom; California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot; California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross; California Public Utilities Commission President John Reynolds; California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez; and Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Director Samuel Assefa.

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