Economic Support

California FarmLink, Kitchen Table Advisors, and ALBA share a commitment to support farmers of color, and a strong history of collaboration to layer our respective services to benefit by coordinating complementary areas of expertise, our partnership provides a unique depth and range of connected services to producers with opportunity to expand the project’s reach.

Feel free to reach out to your partner (KTA, ALBA, California FarmLink) contact if you need any technical assistance in finding, applying for any of the shared economic relief funds. All support and assistance are provided free of charge to all clients.

Economic Support Opportunities, Programs & Assistance

$10,000 Organic Transition Grants

CCOF Foundation

These grants and technical assistance are available to small farmers in communities on the South Coast, Central Coast, and Central Valley of California who are transitioning to organic production.

Applicant Eligibility: Applicants for the organic transition grant must:

• Be from communities of the South Coast, Central and Central Valley of California (counties of Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Colusa, Glenn, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Joaquin , Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba)
• Be practicing organic production methods
• Have a business plan to transition to certified organic production or; have identified a means to develop a transition plan, or how they will expand their organic land on their farm or ranch.
• Demonstrate financial need
• Reside and farm/raise in the United States (this includes US territories)
• Have a minimum of five years of agricultural production experience
• Have at least two years of operating or owning their own business and/or or equivalent experience
• Be willing to conduct an interview as part of the application process
• Submit an annual report at the end of the grant period

We encourage producers of all types of crops and livestock that are eligible for organic certification to apply. Priority will be given to applicants from underserved communities.

How to apply: The application is available in English and Spanish. To sign in and change your language, click the Google icon and change your preference. Apply here

Deadline: December 8, 2022.

For eligibility requirements, application information, and technical assistance support: Click here

California Small & Underserved Producers (CUSP) Drought Funding

California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

CARCD is stepping in to offer direct financial support to  farmers who have faced increased costs due to drought. Grant amounts will be $1,000 min and $20,000 max.

Purpose: With the ongoing drought crisis in California, farmers face increased costs ranging from higher water and energy bills, to installing new well equipment. This is especially difficult for smaller farms, and farmers from BIPOC, immigrant, and disadvantaged communities. These farmers often fall through the cracks of traditional government aid so CARCD is stepping in to offer direct financial support to farmers who have faced increased costs due to drought. Grant amounts will be $1,000 min and $20,000 max.

Eligibility:

• Farmers must make at least $10,000 and no more than $400,000 in gross farm sales
• Agriculture must be the primary source of income for you and your family
• 50% of funds will be awarded to socially disadvantaged farmers, immigrant farmers, and undocumented farmers. Socially disadvantaged farmer means a farmer who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group, these groups include all of the following: (1) African Americans (2) Native American Indians (3) Alaskan Natives (4) Hispanics (5) Asian Americans (6) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
• Producers may only receive CUSP funding every 12 months. CARCD will cross-check applicants with CDFA to ensure no repeat funds are awarded inside of that time period.

What’s Covered

• Production / planting expenses
• Water cost increases, including water delivery
• Electricity cost increases
• Emergency upgrades to irrigation systems
• Well equipment installation & emergency upgrades
• Drilling of new wells or repairs on existing wells that are the sole source of water for an operation and approved through local GSA as per Governor's Office moratorium regulation.

What’s Not Covered

• Drilling a new well
• Upgrading to a larger pump that will draw more water

How to Apply: Please fill out an application with the links below, available in 6 languages. Please reach out to your local RCD if you require assistance. Your RCD can be found using CARCD’s Find Your Local RCD page .

• English
• Spanish
• Punjabi
• Mandarin
• Lao
• Hmong

Timing

• Awards will be issued on a monthly basis starting November 2022.
• Applicants can expect to receive the award notice within the first two weeks of the 1st month following their application and the award check by the first week of the 2nd month following their application.
• The final date to apply in this round of applications is January 15, 2023.

FAQ’s :

Q: Can producer’s use funds for new purchases (i.e. new equipment or upgrades?)
No, funds are only available to reimburse losses due to drought, new purchases are not covered.

Q: A producer is now in a different location than last year, can they be eligible for utility cost increases based on a new location?
An increase in electricity from the previous year attributed to drought can only be covered for the same location /  conditions. If a farmer has moved to a new location, they won’t be eligible to apply for CUSP drought relief funding for an increase in electricity costs as it would be impossible to compare across parcels, the pump might be a different size or depth which would be impossible to compare.

Q: A producer does not have an online account with the utility company
Utility companies  can provide a summary  of costs from previous years  for the same account and parcel over the phone if the farmer can provide an account number. PG&E gives a monthly summary and comparison of last years costs on every  monthly statement as well, so farmers can compare it without the need of an account.

Q: What if a producer does not have  a contract to their name with the utility company?
If the producer’s name is not on the electricity bill but they have a lease agreement, this document will suffice to prove an increase in electricity from the previous year / term. If the farmer can procure the lease agreement with the landlord, and copies of the electric bills in the landlord’s name, they can determine the percentage or portion of the bill the farmer is responsible for covering (i.e. this year’s vs. last)

Q: Can farmers outside California apply?
This fund is specifically designed for farms in California only.

Q: Are renters allowed to apply for funding?
Yes. Small farmers regardless of whether they rent or own their land are eligible for funding.

Q: Is there an acreage limit for small farmers?
No. Small farmers are defined by their gross income from farming, not the geographic size of their farm.

Q: Are undocumented farmers eligible?
Yes! Undocumented farmers are encouraged to apply, given their ineligibility for federal funds.

Q: Are cannabis farmers eligible for funds?
Unfortunately, no. Cannabis farmers are not currently eligible to receive funds.

Q: Does the $10k-400k requirement apply for first year farmers?
If you are a new farmer, or have another limitation, and cannot claim an income between $10K-400K from your farming operations, please describe your particular situation in the long form answer section of question 22 of the application, in order to be considered for the grant award.

Q: Will I get a copy of my application?
You should receive a copy from <forms-receipts-noreply@google.com> when you apply.  Please check your spam or promotions folder because it may have landed there. If you did not receive a copy, please contact Emily at emily-smet@CARCD.org

Deadline: January 15, 2023.

For eligibility requirements, application information, and technical assistance support: Click here

California Dream Fund

California Office of the Small Business Advocate

The Dream Fund was created to provide grants up to $10,000 to foster entrepreneurship and encourage small business creation to startup clients (those not yet fully in business). To apply for the grant, the program first requires eligible startups to participate in a no-cost business startup program that combines helpful startup training workshops with one-on-one consulting services. Upon successful completion of the program, eligible participants will be given a link to apply for grant funding. Please note that participation in the program does not guarantee receiving a Dream Fund grant.

Award Amount: One grant up to $10,000.

Eligibility Requirements: To participate in the program, entrepreneurs can apply for an intensive startup program developed by one of the participating TAEP centers. After successful completion of the program and all requirements, business owners will become eligible to apply for one grant of up to $10,000.

How to apply: To apply, visit cadreamfund.com

For eligibility requirements, application information, and technical assistance support: Click here