Small farm advocates say the state’s Healthy Soils Program is pitched toward Big Ag and makes it hard for smaller, diverse farmers to access or make use of it.
By Anne Marshall-Chalmers
After a heavy rain, Steven Cardoza can walk through his 300 acres of organic raisin grapes near Fresno and emerge with clean boots. His soil soaks up water like a sponge, barely a mud puddle in sight—a sign of healthy soil, Cardoza said.