Project will continue to assess conservation effects of agricultural managed aquifer recharge in CA central valley with three producers on their farms

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $633,931 to the University of California, Davis, effective September 29, 2025, through September 28, 2029, under the Soil and Water Conservation program (CFDA 10.902). The project will continue assessment and evaluation of conservation effects resulting from agricultural managed aquifer recharge (MAR) initiatives in California's Central Valley. UC Davis will conduct this work in partnership with three agricultural producers on their respective farm operations, documenting the environmental and conservation outcomes of implementing managed aquifer recharge as a water management and conservation practice.

This cooperative agreement aligns with NRCS's core mission of providing conservation technical assistance and supporting the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. The multi-year assessment will generate evidence regarding the effectiveness of MAR—a climate-smart agriculture and water management approach—for private landowners in a water-stressed region, contributing to the program's broader goals of supporting soil and water conservation, enhancing land productivity, and addressing water resource challenges through farmer-led conservation initiatives.