Tawny Mata: CDFA Healthy Soils for Farm Resilience
By Tawny Mata
TL;DR: Healthy soil practices like cover cropping and compost application enhance farm resilience, supported by new USDA funding mechanisms.
- Regenerative practices boost soil carbon, water retention, and biodiversity.
- State programs provide evidence-based guidance for soil health initiatives.
- New USDA pilot combines EQIP and CSP funding for easier adoption.
- Farmers can access support for compost, cover crops, and reduced tillage.
- Adopting regenerative methods offers both environmental and economic benefits.
Why it matters: Implementing healthy soil practices is crucial for creating resilient farms that can withstand climate challenges and improve ecological health. Government programs are making these practices more accessible, offering financial and practical support for transitioning to regenerative agriculture.
Do this next: Explore the USDA NRCS regenerative agriculture pilot program for combined EQIP and CSP funding opportunities.
Recommended for: Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural advisors seeking to implement regenerative practices and secure funding.
This expert interview features Tawny Mata from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Healthy Soils Program, providing field-tested practices and documented outcomes for building soil health and farm resilience. The conversation details specific regenerative techniques including compost application, cover cropping, hedgerow planting, and reduced tillage methods that increase soil organic carbon, enhance water retention, and boost biodiversity on working lands. The interview covers eight years of program results spanning 2018–2026, demonstrating measurable resilience outcomes for participating farms and ranchlands. A key focus is the integration of regenerative practices with streamlined funding mechanisms through a new USDA NRCS regenerative agriculture pilot program that combines EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) and CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) funding to reduce implementation barriers. The resource addresses the practical challenge of adoption by connecting soil health practices to both environmental benefits and economic support structures. For practitioners and land managers seeking to implement regenerative approaches, the interview provides evidence-based guidance grounded in real-world program data and policy developments that make adoption more accessible. The content bridges the gap between scientific soil health principles and actionable implementation strategies supported by government incentive programs, making it particularly valuable for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural advisors evaluating regenerative transitions. Mata's expertise from leading a major state soil health initiative ensures the information reflects current best practices and emerging policy frameworks designed to support widespread adoption of practices that sequester carbon, improve water infiltration, and build long-term soil fertility.