(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

1. (1) “Programs” means the Healthy Soils Program established pursuant to Section 569, the Alternative Manure Management Program, and the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program established by the department from moneys made available pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Statutes of 2014.
2. (2) “Technical assistance” means outreach, education, training, conservation, agricultural planning, project planning, project design, grant application assistance, grant writing, matching funds coordination, translation and interpretation, project implementation support, facilitating environmental compliance, grant management assistance, project completion verification, outcome monitoring, case study development, and project reporting assistance provided to a farmer or rancher to improve their successful participation in the programs.
3. (3) “Technical assistance providers” means nonprofit organizations, groundwater sustainability agencies, irrigation districts, resource conservation districts, the University of California Cooperative Extension, and California public colleges and universities with demonstrated technical expertise in designing and implementing agricultural management practices to achieve the purposes identified in subdivision (b).

(b) The secretary shall make available not less than 5 percent of the funds appropriated to the department for the programs, but not more than 20 percent, for technical assistance directly through a technical assistance grant program, or indirectly through a block grant program that includes funding for technical assistance. The department shall award funds to technical assistance providers for the following purposes:

1. (1) To support farmers and ranchers in the application process for grants from the programs and implementation of funded projects, prioritizing that technical assistance to farms and ranches that are 500 acres or fewer. Technical assistance funding may be used to provide assistance over multiple incentive funding cycles.
2. (2) To provide general planning and training for climate-smart and sustainable agriculture, defined as agricultural practices that support reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering carbon, conserving water and other resources, managing nutrients and pests, and supporting biodiversity.
3. (3) To lease, purchase, or repair farming, ranching, and food processing equipment that can be centrally housed with the technical assistance provider and shared regionally with producers.

(c) The department may establish criteria and guidelines for technical assistance providers to qualify to receive funds pursuant to subdivision (b) to provide technical assistance. The department shall coordinate grant program outreach with the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. The department shall do all of the following:

1. (1) Establish a process for technical assistance providers to apply to the department to receive funds to provide technical assistance pursuant to subdivision (b). Funding applications shall include, at minimum, a work plan that identifies which of the purposes identified in subdivision (b) will be targeted by the technical assistance provider, specific activities that will be undertaken to maximize farmer and rancher participation and project success, an estimate of the number of farmers and ranchers to be served by the technical assistance provider, and evidence of qualifications of its relevant staff and project partners. Technical assistance providers must demonstrate expertise in working with California farmers and ranchers on projects relevant to one or more of the purposes identified in subdivision (b).
2. (2) Ensure at least 25 percent of the awarded funds are used to provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, as defined in Section 512.
3. (3) Review direct and block grant applications for technical assistance funds and recommend grant awardees to the secretary.
4. (4) Allow direct project costs and a percentage of overhead expenses, to be determined by the secretary, to be funded as part of the grant awards.
5. (5) Allow a percentage of funding, to be determined by the secretary, to support training and capacity building within technical assistance provider organizations and coordination between organizations to improve assistance. This shall include staff onboarding, training, and continuing education in climate-smart and conservation agricultural practices and planning.
6. (6) Support information sharing among technical assistance providers, the department, and other relevant stakeholders for the continuous improvement of programmatic guidelines, application processes, and relevant climate change and agricultural research.
7. (7) Allow equipment sharing costs funded as part of grant awards to include developing and expanding equipment sharing programs, including, but not limited to, the purchase and repair of tools, equipment, training, and outreach costs associated with the shared equipment within the grant term.
8. (8) Consult with the Scientific Advisory Panel on Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture on grant program design, guidelines, and outreach for the technical assistance to improve coordination and information sharing on technical assistance strategies and activities for the department’s programs.