October 2023

Exciting Agriculture Grants Awarded

VCRCD is honored and excited to be awarded two CDFA block grants - the State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and the Healthy Soils Program (HSP)! That's nearly $8 million going directly to the agricultural community! We are excited to work directly with the farming community on these grants.

VCRCD was just notified of our award, we are currently finalizing out CDFA contracts, and we will keep you updated on when farmers can submit official applications to receive SWEEP and/or HSP funding. Know you're already interested? Submit a starter intake form here.

Drought Relief Funds Available

Through the CA Underserved & Small Producers (CUSP) grant, VCRCD has nearly $1 million in reimbursement funding available for agricultural and working lands impacted by drought. Farmers can be reimbursed up to $20,000 every 12 months for pre-approved drought related expenses and losses incurred since 2021. A few of the drought related expenses/losses covered include: increased electric utility bills of 30% or more due to increased electricity rates, surface water costs if increase from year prior, decreased crop yields/crop loss due to less water available or having to fallow land, and more.

Interested? Start an application with VCRCD today to get reimbursed for your drought expenses and losses.

Agri-Tech Fair

October 24th

8am - 5pm

The Agricultural Tech Fair will provide a unique platform for industry professionals, farmers, researchers, and technology enthusiasts to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies, witness live demonstrations, earn CEUs and engage in discussions with leading experts.

Learn More

Upcoming Planting Days

We are excited to announce two additional planting days occurring this fall. Our planting days help us expand pollinator habitat in Ventura County.

On October 25th we will be installing new plants at Oak Park from 9am to 2pm.

On November 4th join us to place new plants in Saticoy from 9am to 2pm.

To learn more and RSVP please email Desirae.Braga@vcrcd.org

Ventura County Farm Day

Nov 4th

10am -3pm

Farm Day is proud to feature tours with growers from across Ventura County that celebrate our unique agricultural landscape and rich heritage. Come check out 15 farms and educational spaces across the county featuring alpacas, livestock, compost demonstration, row crops and orchard crops, historic and innovative farming technology, sustainable agricultural practices and more!

Learn More

Successful Broadcast Burn At Fillmore Fish Hatchery

With a great deal of support from Ventura County Fire Department and the Ventura County Fire Crew, the Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association helped execute its third broadcast burn on September 27, 2023 at the Fillmore Fish Hatchery located southeast of the town of Fillmore.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife own and manage this site, or burn unit, and used prescribed fire here as a step in restoring the native vegetation of the Santa Clara floodplain. Prescribed fire was used here as a tool for invasive weed abatement. By removing the top layer of thatch and cover produced by the invasive non-native grass, Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), fire will open up patches of earth for native vegetation to establish. The burn was conducted in consideration of optimal weather conditions the day of and days following the burn, and with the support and approval from the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. The Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association would like to thank all our partners who helped make this burn happen. We hope to see you on another burn soon.

If you are interested in using prescribed fire on your property, please reach out to the coordinator for the Ventura County’s Prescribed Burn Association, Monica Matthews, at monica.matthews@vcrcd.org.

Walk in the Watershed

VCRCD staff attended the Walk in the Watershed Event held on Oct. 14th. Attendees learned about our various efforts, including our pollinator conservation programs, agriculture services, and how to get involved in the Ventura River Watershed Council.

Thank you County Supervisor, Matt LaVere for inviting us!

Learn About Ventura Watershed Council

Planting Day Success

Thank you to Ventura County Public Works and the Arc Foundation for making our latest planting day a success!

Volunteers were able to help create critical pollinator habitat in Saticoy by placing over 130 native plants in the ground.

To receive notifications of upcoming planting days click the link below.

Join Our Volunteer List

Outdoor Recreation Leadership Certification

Thank you to California State Parks for organizing the Outdoor Recreation Leadership Training at Castaic Lake earlier this month. VCRCD staff enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other organizations, learn about new camping programs, and techniques to expand youth programs.

Friends of Santa Clara River Award VCRCD Staff

On October 7th, VCRCD staff member, Deb Barringer, received an award from the Friends of the Santa Clara River organization. Deb was recognized for her contributions to their outdoor classroom and ethnobotany trail at the Fillmore Fish Hatchery site. Deb Barringer has worked tirelessly to both design the outdoor classroom and coordinate class visits with the Friends of the Santa Clara River.

Evacuation Survey

The Cities of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, and Simi Valley are implementing an evacuation planning and public outreach program. The objective is to update evacuation plans and promote individual preparedness. A critical part of the program is a resident-focused tri-city survey about evacuations and emergency preparedness. Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey.

Take Survey

Santa Clara River Watershed Committee

General Meeting

October 26

9am - 11:30am

For more information email Heidi.Ortloff@vcrcd.org

VCRCD offers several planting and weeding events throughout the year. To receive emails when these events arise please sign up at the link below.

Become a Volunteer

If you can't volunteer your time consider making a donation to the VCRCD. Donations can help pay for resources that may not be covered by grant funds.

Donate

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