In 2023, StopWaste partnered with the Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) and the County of Alameda to launch the Alameda County Compost for Agriculture Program (ACCAP), with the purpose to increase the beneficial use of compost on in-county agricultural lands. This program provides agricultural producers in Alameda County the opportunity to purchase compost for use in their operation and receive reimbursement to subsidize the cost, or receive a donation of compost, depending on the applicant. Applicants also access technical assistance from the ACRCD.
The goal of ACCAP is to improve soil health in agricultural soils while helping Alameda County meet its recycled organic waste product procurement target as mandated by CalRecycle's regulations under SB 1383.
Use of compost has myriad benefits for agricultural operations, including but not limited to, increased soil water holding capacity, increased nutrient availability, decreased fertilizer cost, and increased soil organic carbon. Compost can benefit row crops, field crops, orchards, vineyards, and rangelands. Also, emerging research is gathering evidence that compost application also sequesters carbon in agricultural soils, colloquially known as Carbon Farming. Other agricultural conservation practices can be paired with compost to optimize soil health and carbon sequestration benefits.
If you manage or own agricultural land in Alameda County and currently use or are considering using compost in your operation, you are eligible for this program. Applications are reviewed year-round on a first-come, first-served basis by the ACRCD.