Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative is pleased to announce open enrollment for the USDA’s newly expanded Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program—building on last year’s successful Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. This year, the program is expanding direct funding to producers, and the new incentive will reimburse producers for the purchase of up to ten acres worth of seed for any perennial conservation cover.
One choice for the incentive, Oakville bluegrass, is dormant from April through September and doesn’t compete with cash crops for water or nutrients making it ideal for California permanent crops. This low growing, drought tolerant cover crop will last over ten years when well managed, significantly reducing labor and input costs for growers.
As part of the USDA’s AMP initiative, producers can now access:
- Full seed cost coverage for up to 10 acres of Oakville bluegrass
- An additional $100/acre incentive for up to 100 acres.
- Support in the form of a grower’s guide, educational field days, and guidance on carbon removal credits.
“We’re thrilled to put more money in producers’ hands under the Advancing Markets for Producers program, ” said Jeff Thiel, Director at Oakville Bluegrass Cooeprative. Perennial cover like Oakville bluegrass can reduce operating costs over time while also building soil health and conserving water. We’re especially excited to help producers tap into the growing carbon credit market while establishing a proven, cost-effective cover crop.”
Interested growers can attend an online informational session on October 21 at 11 am by registering at https://bit.ly/ampobc25 or visit https://www.obc.ag/advancing-markets-for-producersfor more information.
The Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative collaboratively creates solutions to the most pressing challenges facing growers. Members work together to uncover best practices in sustainable agriculture tailored to the needs of specialty crop growers. Learnings are shared so all members can benefit from adopting practices that will ensure the long-term sustainability of profits from their farms.
