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This page contains information about financial resources available to agricultural producers in the form of grants, loans, and other services including loss due to COVID-19 and disaster (drought/wildfire/climate change). Additional information is included about the ongoing drought conditions in California affecting farmers.

 Disaster Relief Funds Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture Programs Equitable Access Programs Drought Information COVID Related Assistance Organic Grower Assistance Cannabis Growers Relief Program
Disaster Relief Funds

USDA Farm Service Agency Contact

  • To learn more about disaster assistance, call USDA FSA (Salinas location): 831-424-7377, ext 2

USDA Disaster Assistance Programs

USDA Winter Storms Recovery Page

California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program

CDFA Underserved and Small Producers Program (Drought)

Federal and State Programs for Disaster Assistance (Flooding)
Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture Programs

USDA Emergency Conservation Program

  • This program provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland and conservation structures damaged by natural disasters and implement emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought.

CDFA Healthy Soils Program

  • The HSP has two components: HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service California

  • NRCS conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters.

DPR Pest Management Grants

  • Solicitation periods are open for Research Grants and Alliance Grants for integrated pest management practices that reduce risks to public health and the environment in agricultural, urban, or wildland settings. 

CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP)

  • FREP solicits suggestions for research, demonstration, and education projects related to the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use and handling of fertilizing materials. Stay tuned to apply for the 2025 grant cycle. 
Equitable Access Programs

USDA Farm Loan Borrowers Who Have Faced Discrimination

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently opened the financial assistance application process for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021.

California FarmLink

  • California FarmLink works to create an inclusive farm and food economy with equitable access to opportunity for farmers and ranchers. We connect the next generation of sustainable farmers and ranchers with land and financing.

USDA Transition Incentive Program (TIP)

  • TIP provides land owners and operators with an incentive to return land to production on an expiring CRP Contract in a way that preserves established conservation practices. It also provides an opportunity for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to purchase their own land or rent land.
Drought Information

USDA Climate Hubs Drought Information

National Drought Mitigation Center
COVID Related Assistance

USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers

  • This page provides a comprehensive list of current and past programs including the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program, Commodity Container Assistance Program, and Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops. It is updated regularly.

US Small Business Administration COVID-19 Relief Options

 
Organic Grower Assistance

CDFA Organic Certification Cost Share

  • The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided funds from the National Farm Bill to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to be distributed to operations that have been certified organic by a USDA accredited certifier. This program is intended to help offset costs of obtaining organic certification.

CCOF Hardship Assistance Grants

  • This includes the Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund and Drought Relief Grants for Producers from Underserved Communities in California. They provide financial assistance for organic growers to help cover losses from natural disasters, personal hardship, or other unplanned emergencies.

CCOF Foundation Organic Transition Grants

  • Organic Transition grants lower the financial barrier for farmers who want to make the leap to organic production. Program participants receive grants, mentorship, and technical support in agronomy, business and financial literacy, marketing, and market development over a three-year period. The deadline to apply is August 2, 2024. 
Cannabis Growers Relief Program

Disaster Relief of Cannabis Growers

  • This program offers regulatory relief to cannabis growers by the California Department of Cannabis Control due to drought, wildfires, and COVID-19.