In This Issue:

• October 11th: Central Coast Good Fire Fair
• October 25th: Community Action Day at the San Benito County Historical Park
• BenitoLink News Release Features SBRCD's Local Speak Off
• Notice of Office Closure due to Government Shutdown

         Partner Updates:

• USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Program Deadlines
• USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Key Deadlines and Opportunities
• San Benito Fire Safe Council Firewise Community Campaign

         Partner Events:

• October 18th Comstock Community Farm Days
• November 6th Pajaro River Watershed Resilence Program Workshop

Saturday, October 11th: Central Coast Good Fire Fair

Hosted by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources & CA State Parks.  Learn who, why, where, and how fire is currently being used on the landscape to manage Central Coast ecosystems at the second annual Central Coast Good Fire Fair. This is a family friendly event with a dedicated kid zone, food trucks, fire safety info, educational demonstrations, and much more! Weather permitting, there will be a unique opportunity to watch a late morning 1-2 acre Redwood demonstration burn. The event will be held at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park on Saturday, October 11th, from 10am to 3pm.  For more information, please contact Barb Satink Wolfson at bsatink@ucanr.edu. 

The RCD will be hosting a booth with information on the San Benito Wildfire Resilience Program --we hope to see you there!

Saturday, October 25th: Join us for a Community Action Day at the San Benito County Historical Park!

Community Action Day is an opportunity for community volunteers to beautify San Benito County Historical Park by planting a native plant pollinator hedgerow and removing non-native invasive plant species. The native plants will provide habitat for bees, butterflies, songbirds, and other wildlife.  By removing annual non-native plant species, we will help make the park more resilient to wildfire by preventing the buildup of dry fuels. The RCD will be giving away milkweed plants for volunteers to take home to plant in their own gardens to create habitat for monarch butterflies. 

When: Saturday October 25th, from 9:00am-1:00pm (Free volunteer lunch at 12pm)

Where: San Benito County Historical Park, 8300 Airline Hwy, Tres Pinos, CA

RSVP Required: Register Here or scan the QR code on the event flyer below. For additional information contact cameron@rcdsanbenito.org

This opportunity is made possible through partnerships at the state and local level, including: Point Blue Conservation Science, San Benito Resource Conservation District, San Benito County Resource Management Agency, San Benito County Historical Society, San Benito REACH Parks Foundation, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Keep California Beautiful, Keep America Beautiful, and California Climate Action Corps: a program of California Volunteers-Office of the Governor. 

Click here to check out a recap of the last Community Action Day in May.

BenitoLink News Release Features SBRCD's Local Speak Off

Congratulations to Frida Salinas for winning this year's Local Speak Off contest!

Her winning speech focused on her personal journey of leading the Comstock Community Farm, a volunteer run initiative that grows fresh vegetables for donation to local community organizations. Read the full BenitoLink Article here. 

USDA Office Closed Due to Government Shutdown

The San Benito RCD office is located within the US Department of Agriculture Hollister Service Center.  Due to the government shutdown we are working remotely and do not have access to our land lines. Cell phone and email are the best way to reach us until federal funding is resumed.

Partner Updates

USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces that November 21st is the deadline to apply for most fiscal year 2026 programs.  This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).  Interested applicants in San Benito County can inquire at their local field office:  2337 Technology Parkway, Hollister CA  (831) 637-4360. 

*Due to a lapse in federal funding NRCS is undergoing an orderly shutdown as of September 30. Work by NRCS will cease for the duration of the shutdown.

Key Deadlines & Opportunities from the Farm Service Agency (FSA)

As we move toward the new year, producers in San Benito County farmers should be aware of key deadlines and opportunities with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Focusing on upcoming seasons can help you secure coverage and funding for your operations.

Upcoming deadlines:

• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): For crops not covered by federal crop insurance, NAP provides a safety net against natural disaster losses. The sales closing date for many fall-planted crops, including certain annual forages, is September 30, 2025. This is a critical action to secure coverage for the 2026 season. Contact the local FSA office to confirm the deadline for your specific crops.
• Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC): Application season for the 2025 program year is still open and runs through January 31, 2026.
• Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage 2: Sign-up is targeted to begin in October 2025 for this program, which addresses crop, tree, bush, and vine losses from 2023 and 2024 that were not fully covered by other insurance.
• Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP): The deadline to apply for assistance related to 2023 and 2024 floods and wildfires is October 31, 2025.

Ongoing and future opportunities

• Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Program: Consider leveraging this low-interest loan program to enhance your farm's infrastructure for the long term. It helps finance new or upgraded facilities and equipment for storing commodities, including grain bins, cold storage for specialty crops, hay barns, and specialty equipment. Remember, you must apply and receive approval before you start any construction or make a purchase.
• Microloan Option: For smaller-scale projects (up to $50,000), the FSFL microloan option features a lower 5% down payment and simplified application process, making it a great tool for beginning, niche, and smaller farm operations.
• FSA Farm Loans: Ongoing options are available to assist with operating expenses, ownership costs, and microloans for small or beginning farms.
• Planning and Conservation Programs: Looking further ahead, producers can utilize various conservation programs and should consult with their local office about future enrollment opportunities.

For questions about any of these programs, please contact: Somelane “Jecht” Souriyamath at somelane.souriyamath@usda.gov or office: (831) 637-4360 ext. 2

*Due to a lapse in federal funding FSA is undergoing an orderly shutdown as of September 30. Work by FSA will cease for the duration of the shutdown.

San Benito Fire Safe Council Firewise Community Campaign

The San Benito Fire Safe Council (SBFSC) is launching a county-wide campaign to increase the number of Firewise USA® communities. Firewise communities are neighborhood-level groups that work together to reduce wildfire risks—boosting both safety and resilience.

If you are interested in learning more about Firewise communities, want your property included in a Firewise community, or think you are willing to help organize one in your neighborhood, please take a moment to fill out this short interest form:

Link To Register Your Interest In Firewise Community Membership

This form will help SBFSC connect you with others nearby and provide support in organizing or joining a Firewise community.  For any additional questions please contact sanbenitofiresafecouncil@gmail.com

Partner Events

October 18th Comstock Community Farm Days

Join Comstock Community Farm on Saturday, September 18th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm for a community farm event in Hollister! Activities will include tending plants, weeding, harvesting vegetables for the community, and caring for the chickens. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and community service credits are available for those who are interested. Please contact Frida at 831-537-5802 for event location.

November 6th Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program (PRWRP) Workshop

The fourth of five workshops in a series of watershed resilience discussions for the Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program (PRWRP), this workshop will focus on prioritizing adaptation strategies and identifying implementation pathways to adapt to climate change. Light refreshments will be provided. A tour of the Paicines Ranch will be available following the workshop.

This event will be held on Thursday November 6th, 2025 @1-4pm, at Paicines Ranch, Paicines CA. Register Here