Tri-Valley Conservancy's new Agricultural Resiliency Mini-Grants Program (ARMG) awards $30,000 to fund six agricultural projects to improve wildlife habitat and water and soil health.
LIVERMORE, Calif. – November 10, 2026 – Tri-Valley Conservancy (TVC) recently awarded $30,000 in grants through its new Agricultural Resiliency Mini-Grants Program (ARMG) to six TVC conservation easement holders in the Livermore Valley. The grants will fund climate-smart agricultural projects that improve wildlife habitat and water and soil health.
TVC’s ARMG program is designed to help agricultural landowners overcome barriers to implementation of conservation practices, including economic pressures, while encouraging them to explore practices that improve soil and water stewardship, increase agricultural utility, and strengthen the long-term resilience of the region’s agricultural lands. Soil building is especially important after vines are removed prior to being replanted, because bare ground with no plants to hold it in place is vulnerable to erosion. These efforts also help keep the region lush and beautiful.
“Growing grapes is a tough business and with the current industry downturn it’s all the more difficult for landowners to make the cost of farming pencil out,” said Sarah O’Doherty, TVC’s new Agricultural Outreach Associate and ARMG program manager. “TVC recognizes the economic challenges that growers are facing. TVC’s mini-grants program is intended to support our local landowners in stewarding their land and incentivizes sustainable farming practices. We are thrilled with the applications we received in our pilot round and we’re looking forward to funding more projects in future rounds.”
Following a competitive review process, TVC selected a range of projects, including cover cropping to improve soil health, support pollinator habitat, and prevent erosion; owl houses to help address rodent pressure in fields and reduce reliance on rodent baiting; and an irrigation upgrade that will allow vineyard managers to improve irrigation efficiency and detect leaks. Several projects follow vineyard removal, preparing the soil for seeding diverse winter cover crops to restore soil health and protect the land until it is replanted. One project features preparations for an olive orchard.
“Our long-term vision for Vipani Vineyards is to restore and maintain a healthy, sustainable vineyard that contributes to the agricultural heritage and natural beauty of the Livermore Valley,” said Manish Vipani, one of the grant recipients. “Our approximately six-acre hillside property was previously planted with grapevines, which have since been removed. Before we replant, we want to invest in the foundation of any successful vineyard — healthy soil. This project is an important first step toward bringing the land back into productive agricultural use while ensuring we are responsible stewards of the property for years to come.”
Together, TVC’s awarded projects represent a range of approaches to agricultural conservation, from improving irrigation efficiency to creating habitat for wildlife. By providing direct funding for projects on conserved agricultural lands, TVC is helping local landowners adopt practices that can benefit both the productivity of their properties and the natural resources they steward.
A second grant cycle is expected to open in January 2027, and future funding could include up to two grant rounds annually.
To qualify for the program, applicants must hold a conservation easement with TVC. Funding of up to $5,000 is available to projects supporting climate-smart conservation practices that increase agricultural utility, protect soil and water quality, and strengthen the long-term viability of public and private lands across the Tri-Valley.
To learn more, visit the Tri-Valley Conservancy’s Agricultural Resiliency Mini-Grants Program (ARMG) webpage. Stay tuned for more updates on the projects of grant program participants!
ABOUT TRI-VALLEY CONSERVANCY: Tri-Valley Conservancy is a local nonprofit land trust working to preserve and advocate for agricultural and open space lands in the Tri-Valley. As our communities grow, it becomes even more important that we protect these spaces we love and need the most. To learn more, please visit TriValleyConservancy.org or call 925-449-8706.