AG1aWork with agricultural organizations and existing partnerships to develop and expand outreach programs to inform Yolo County farmers about ways to reduce nitrogen fertilizer application with minimal effects on crop yield.

The Yolo County Resource Conservation District (YCRCD) is exploring options for increasing compost availability and other non-chemical soil health practices including cover cropping and mulching. There are a number of ongoing initiatives and resources that YCRCD has leveraged to support Yolo County farmers, including:

• Supporting Healthy Soils on-farm planning through a California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Climate Adaptation Planning grant.
• Connecting growers with Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and YCRCD technical assistance.
• Workshops, field days, and programs like “Programs 101” continue to be held yearly and connect growers with education, funding, and technical assistance opportunities.
• YCRCD provides technical assistance to connect growers with funding opportunities including the Healthy Soils Program and Zero Food Print's Restore grant and Compost Connector funding opportunities.
• The Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL) is hosting an educational field day in May 2026.
• Yolo Farm Bureau works to reduce chemical inputs into receiving sloughs and creeks by connecting growers to the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, with protects both surface water and groundwater, address irrigated agricultural discharges throughout the Central Valley.
• UC Cooperative Extension's Small Farm Program offers free access to a compost spreader that helps decrease barriers to equipment accessibility.
• RCD is actively seeking funding to implement an equipment share program.

There are also a variety tools available to support education, including:

 Cover Crop Decision Tool: The Western Cover Cops Council's cover crop Species Selector recommends cover crops based on your cover cropping objectives, local climate and soil type.

 California Fertilization Guidelines: Guidelines for compost application based on crop type.

 Compost Calculator: a tool that estimates the amount of CO2 stored per acre based on type of application.

 California Alliance with Family Farmers: CAFF’s Ecological Farming Team has virtual office hours! Growers can join CAFF the third Thursday of every month from 3-4 pm.