SBRCD News- February 2026

In this issue:

  •  New Hedgerow Plantings at Two Local Farms
  •  

Partner Updates/Events

  • USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Program Deadlines
  • USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Key Deadlines and Opportunities
  • Monterey Bay Air Resources District Diesel Engine & Equipment Replacement Program
  • March 1st -- SBALT Ranch Day

 

New Hedgerow Plantings at Two Local Farms

This fall and winter, our pollinator and wildlife habitat program incorporated two new sites to implement native plant hedgerows on agricultural land in San Benito County. Hedgerows provide an array of benefits to agricultural operations by attracting beneficial insects, protecting crops, blocking wind, and increasing privacy. Simultaneously, they provide critical habitat for insects and other animals to live, eat, and move safely. 

People working in a farm field, planting crops in freshly tilled soil, with a barn and mountains in the background.
SBRCD staff worked with the site farmers and conservation partners to install 1,200 feet of hedgerows at this 22-acre farm in San Benito County.

 At one of these sites, the San Benito RCD partnered with landowners, farmers, and conservation organizations to install 1,200 feet of hedgerows along a 22-acre diversified vegetable farm to enhance habitat for native pollinators and other wildlife. This project was made possible with support from RCD of Monterey County, Xerces Society for Conservation, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

At a second site, our partners at Point Blue STRAW led the installation of a1,300 linear foot hedgerow planting along the boundary of an organic farm to improve pollinator habitat and on-farm biodiversity. Through this collaboration, more than 100 elementary school students participated in educational field trips, helping plant native plant species while learning about the intersections between pollinator conservation and agriculture.

In total these two plantings resulted in 524 native plants being put into the ground!

 

Partner Updates/Events

Monterey Bay Air Resources District Diesel Engine & Equipment Replacement Program

This program provides funding to encourage the replacement of older heavy-duty motors/engines operated in one or more of the Air District's three counties: Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz.  See flyer below or click here for more information.  

An advertisement for a grant program supporting diesel engine and equipment replacement in agriculture, with application details.
The image promotes the Monterey Bay Air Resources District's funding program for replacing diesel equipment and engines, with application details.

 

March 1st -- SBALT Ranch Day

Join SBALT the first Sunday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to noon for work parties/hikes on Nyland and/or Rancho Larios Protected Lands in San Juan Bautista.  Everyone welcome! Register Here.

 

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