California is receiving support for its citrus cultivation through initiatives focused on soil health and breeding research. The California Farm Bureau has allocated $5 million for growers to adopt health-soils practices, with funding derived from the Healthy Soils Program Block Grant awarded by the state Department of Food and Agriculture to various organizations, including the California Bountiful Foundation. This initiative offers grants up to $200,000 for farm projects that promote soil health. The aim is to support 20 to 45 projects over three years, with a focus on aiding socially disadvantaged farmers, among others.
Additionally, Congress has provided $1.5 million to support a new citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. This program, which builds on previous federal funding and annual contributions from the Citrus Research Board, focuses on developing citrus varieties that are well-adapted to California's growing conditions and resistant to diseases like huanglongbing. The breeding efforts aim to meet the demands of changing climatic conditions and consumer preferences.
Source: farmprogress.com