California is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and one of 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. Of any state in the U.S., the Golden State has both the highest total number of species and the highest number of endemic species.
“Biodiversity matters to everything that has life on earth,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross states, describing how it is the foundation to our healthy, thriving agricultural production systems. California’s farmers and ranchers serve as stewards of the land and are helping protect and preserve biodiversity. They are planting cover crops and hedgerows, adding riparian and pollinator habitat, using compost and more to build productivity and enhance biodiversity.
Think of biodiversity from the ground up. One-quarter of our species live in our soil, and just one handful contains more microorganisms than all people on the globe. Healthy soil is critical to biodiversity, and CDFA is proud to invest in Healthy Soils Program incentives grants to help California farmers implement healthy soils practices.