The following is a press release issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce its participation at the Emerald Cup Harvest Ball in Sonoma County on Dec.10 and 11.
CDFW’s Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP) is moderating a panel discussion with recent grant recipients, including the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD), Sun + Earth and cannabis cultivator Casey O’Neill of HappyDay Farms. The panel will discuss grant opportunities to increase biodiversity, reduce erosion, conserve water and help provisional cultivation license holders transition to annual licensure.
Cannabis program staff is also hosting information tables in the Hall of Flowers building and will be available to answer questions about permitting, compliance, wildlife friendly farming practices and applying for CRGP grants, among other topics.
“This annual tradition celebrates the fall harvest, promotes sustainable farming practices and showcases multiple facets of the regulated market,” said Amelia Wright, CDFW Cannabis Program Director. “CRGP grants facilitate environmental stewardship. One of our priorities is assisting cultivators with infrastructure improvements related to cleanup, remediation and restoration.”
Panel Topic and Time:
Saturday, Dec. 10, noon – 12:45 p.m. – Garden Annex Building
Cannabis Grant Opportunities for Cultivators
Hear from successful grant recipients and learn how to secure funds through the CRGP. In 2022, CDFW awarded over $5 million to assist cultivators with transitioning from provisional to annual licenses, implementing water conservation projects and applying sustainable farming practices that increase biodiversity. CDFW has more cannabis grant funds available for eligible organizations.
Moderated by Maggie Romo, CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist with the CRGP.
Panelists:
- Andrew Black, Executive Director, Sun + Earth
- Casey O’Neill, HappyDay Farms and Board President, Sun + Earth
- Joe Scriven, Assistant Executive Director, MCRCD
Cannabis cultivators with grant questions can email canngrantprogram@wildlife.ca.gov or visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/cannabisgrants. Those with permitting questions can email askcannabis@wildlife.ca.gov or visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/cannabis.
