{"id":228,"date":"2026-01-22T09:04:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T17:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/?p=228"},"modified":"2026-01-22T10:25:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T18:25:26","slug":"a-note-from-our-director-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2026\/01\/22\/a-note-from-our-director-january-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"A Note from Our Director | January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we step into 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on our progress in 2025 and share what lies ahead for OARS in the coming year. At OARS, we&nbsp;remain&nbsp;committed to building a sustainable and thriving future for California\u2019s farmers and ranchers.&nbsp;Shifts in climate&nbsp;and the environment continue&nbsp;to&nbsp;challenge&nbsp;producers&nbsp;to adapt and innovate. In the last year, sharp&nbsp;changes in the&nbsp;costs of doing business, regulations and markets&nbsp;have&nbsp;layered&nbsp;additional&nbsp;challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The resilience of our state\u2019s producers is&nbsp;impressive&nbsp;and&nbsp;I\u2019ve&nbsp;enjoyed every opportunity&nbsp;I\u2019ve&nbsp;had to&nbsp;visit farms and ranches and learn not only how producers are adapting to the present moment, but how they are preparing the ground for&nbsp;the next generation.&nbsp;It is our privilege in OARS to&nbsp;advanced science-driven solutions and strengthen&nbsp;partnerships to help producers navigate&nbsp;these challenges&nbsp;and&nbsp;plan for the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Key Highlights:<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov\/Home\/PressRelease\/64706832\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDFA Awards $24.82 Million from California Climate Investments for Methane Emission Reduction Projects on Dairy and Livestock Farms<\/a>&nbsp;(April 10, 2025)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov\/Home\/PressRelease\/65245642\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDFA\u2019s OPCA Now Accepting 2025 \u2013 2026 Proposals for Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Grants<\/a>&nbsp;(June 4, 2025)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov\/Home\/PressRelease\/65569904\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDFA Accepting Grant Applications for Adaptive IPM For Invasive Agriculture Pests<\/a>&nbsp;(July 8, 2025)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov\/Home\/PressRelease\/66867770\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDFA Strengthens Defense Against New World Screwworm with more than $500,000 in Funding for Surveillance, Training, and&nbsp;Integrated&nbsp;Pest Management<\/a>&nbsp;(November 20, 2025)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov\/Home\/PressRelease\/66901536\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDFA Awards $2 Million to Support Biologically Integrated Farming Systems<\/a>&nbsp;(November 24, 2025)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov\/Home\/PressRelease\/66989331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDFA Awards $6.29 Million From California Climate Investment for Methane Emission Reduction Projects on Dairy and Livestock Farms<\/a>&nbsp;(December 3, 2025)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking ahead, 2026 marks an exciting new chapter. Thanks to the passage of Proposition 4,&nbsp;the $10 billion Climate Bond approved by voters in November 2024,&nbsp;CDFA received critical new funding to expand climate-smart agriculture: $40 million for&nbsp;the State Water Efficiency Enhancement Program (SWEEP), $65 million for soil health and carbon sequestration practices&nbsp;that we will use to support the Healthy Soils Program (HSP), and $15 million to launch a new Equipment Sharing Program&nbsp;(ESP).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are pleased to share that public comment is now open&nbsp;on the draft Application for Guidelines and Grant Award Procedures for both HSP and SWEEP.&nbsp;&nbsp;Your feedback during&nbsp;this public comment period is essential as we refine these programs and prepare to launch the next round of climate-smart investments.&nbsp;&nbsp;Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars\/climate-bond-funding\/\">Climate Bond Funding for Climate Smart Agriculture<\/a> webpage for more information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m\u00a0grateful for your continued dedication, and I look forward to the work we will do together to build a stronger, more resilient agricultural system for generations to come.\u00a0<br><br>With Gratitude,<br>Dr. Tawny Mata<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we enter 2026, OARS is reflecting on a year defined by resilience, innovation, and partnership across California agriculture. In 2025, farmers and ranchers continued to navigate climate pressures, rising costs, and shifting markets\u2014meeting each challenge with adaptability and long-term vision. Throughout the year, OARS supported this work by advancing science-based solutions and investing in programs that strengthen both environmental and economic sustainability. <\/p>\n<p>From major climate investments that reduced methane emissions on dairy and livestock operations to expanded funding for biologically integrated farming systems and invasive pest management, 2025 marked a year of meaningful progress and impact. <\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, 2026 brings an exciting opportunity to scale this work. With new funding from Proposition 4, CDFA is poised to expand climate-smart agriculture through significant investments in water efficiency, soil health, and a new equipment sharing program\u2014delivering practical tools for producers of all sizes. <\/p>\n<p>Read the full blog to explore key highlights from 2025, learn how new climate investments will roll out in 2026, and see how OARS is continuing to support a resilient future for California agriculture. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[3],"class_list":["post-228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-informational","tag-information","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Q4-Newsletter-5-Enhancing-Dairy-Sustainability-Through-Improved-Ma-3.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":175,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/technical-assistance-program-builds-statewide-partnerships-in-climate-smart-and-conservation-agriculture\/","url_meta":{"origin":228,"position":0},"title":"Technical Assistance Program Builds Statewide Partnerships in Climate Smart and Conservation Agriculture\u00a0","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The OARS Technical Assistance (TA) Program is critical to realizing the OARS mission: \u201cto use the best available science and knowledge from the agricultural community to design and implement practical solutions to California\u2019s natural resource challenges that improve the environmental and economic sustainability of producing nutritious food, fiber, and energy.\u201d\u00a0\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Informational&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Secretary Ross gives an inspirational talk to Technical Assistance Providers on the importance and impact of their work at the 2024 OARS TA Conference.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TA-Conference_2024_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TA-Conference_2024_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TA-Conference_2024_1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TA-Conference_2024_1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":87,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/03\/28\/water-efficiency-technical-assistance-weta-program-supports-producers-with-no-cost-irrigation-system-evaluations-and-pump-efficiency-tests\/","url_meta":{"origin":228,"position":1},"title":"Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) Program Supports Producers with No-Cost Irrigation System Evaluations and Pump Efficiency Tests","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"March 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"As the 2025 irrigation season is upon us in California, farmers can consider reaching out to a technical assistance provider funded by the OARS Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) program. WETA provides funds to technical assistance providers to complete irrigation system evaluations and pump efficiency tests, as well as provide\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Informational&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":193,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/08\/05\/a-note-from-our-director-august-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":228,"position":2},"title":"A Note from Our Director | August 2025","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"August 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Dear Stakeholders,\u00a0 I hope you enjoy this newsletter showcasing the accomplishments of our grantees and partners and giving you a peek at how we lead our programs to serve producers while contributing to the state\u2019s sustainability goals. Additionally, I want to take this opportunity to summarize the funding status of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Informational&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"August 2025 OARS Director Report","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":171,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/investing-in-impact-how-the-oars-team-helps-deliver-climate-solutions-on-california-dairy-and-livestock-farms\/","url_meta":{"origin":228,"position":3},"title":"Investing in Impact: How the OARS Team Helps Deliver Climate Solutions on California Dairy and Livestock Farms\u00a0","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The CDFA Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) is dedicated to supporting California's dairy and livestock farmers in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As proof of that, the CDFA\u2019s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) and Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) awarded nearly $25 million\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Informational&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A technical assistance provider and rancher are reviewing data at a dairy farm","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AdobeStock_289583412_Preview-e1753726652620.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AdobeStock_289583412_Preview-e1753726652620.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AdobeStock_289583412_Preview-e1753726652620.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AdobeStock_289583412_Preview-e1753726652620.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":66,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/03\/28\/kautz-family-farms-success-with-sweep-grant\/","url_meta":{"origin":228,"position":4},"title":"Kautz Family Farms&#8217; Success with SWEEP Grant","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"March 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Kautz Family Farms, a 147-acre winegrape operation in Lodi, received a 2019 State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) grant award of $84,000. The SWEEP grant, part of California's effort to promote sustainable farming practices, supports growers in adopting energy-efficient technologies and water conservation practices that reduce their environmental impact.\u00a0\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Producer Success Story&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Producer Success Story","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/producer-success-story\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kautz Family Farms' Success with SWEEP Grant","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SWEEP-Kautz.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SWEEP-Kautz.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SWEEP-Kautz.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SWEEP-Kautz.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SWEEP-Kautz.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":143,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/california-conservation-planning-partnership-c2p2-advances-the-oars-technical-assistance-program-goals\/","url_meta":{"origin":228,"position":5},"title":"California Conservation Planning Partnership (C2P2) advances the OARS Technical Assistance Program Goals","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"CDFA & OARS are committed to supporting farmers through the C2P2 MOA, uniting key partners for effective conservation practices.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Informational&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dr. Sara Garcia, OARS Technical Assistance Coordinator, represents CDFA\u2019s OARS team in a C2P2 Panel Discussion at the 2024 CARCD State Conference","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=228"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":267,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228\/revisions\/267"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}