Agriculture / Weights and Measures

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 Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool
• USDA Disaster Assistance Programs At a Glance
• USDA Disaster Assistance Programs Website
• California Disaster Assistance Webinar

USDA Winter Storms Recovery Page

• Overview

California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program

• Overview

CDFA Underserved and Small Producers Program (Drought)

• Overview

Federal and State Programs for Disaster Assistance (Flooding)

• Overview
• Best Practices After Field Flooding Fact Sheet

Emergency Relief Program (ERP) - All 2022 Disasters

• Overview

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.

USDA Conservation Reserve Program

• Agricultural producers and private landowners with less productive or marginal cropland, may apply to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup runs from February 27 through April 7, 2023.

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. 

Western IPM Annual Grant Program

• 2023 annual grants program to support smart, safe and sustainable pest management in the American West. Grants are for up to $30,000 for one-year IPM projects in the following categories: Project Initiation, Work Groups, and  Outreach & Implementation.

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. FREP is now accepting pre-proposals for the 2023 grant cycle. The 2023 Request for Pre-Proposals (RFP) includes program priorities aimed at improving irrigation and fertilizer management in California agriculture. Pre-proposals are due Monday, December 19, 2022.

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.

USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant

• USDA will accept applications until March 27, 2023 for Planning Projects to initiate or expand urban farm access through food access, education and business. Implementation projects may improve existing models of urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve farmers and communities.

USDA Climate Hubs Drought Information

National Drought Mitigation Center

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.

San Mateo County CA Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant

• The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has released new grant funding to benefit microbusinesses in San Mateo County. The first-round deadline to apply is Monday, April 11, 2022. Applications will continue to be accepted after April 11 until all funds are awarded. Please submit your eligibility form as soon as possible. The portal will close when all funds are awarded.
• Check your eligibility: English  Spanish

US Small Business Administration COVID-19 Relief Options

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.

Organic Transitional Education and Certification Program

• Are you a producer or handler of agricultural commodities that are certified organic? Or, are you transitioning your operation to certified organic? You may be eligible for financial assistance to cover expenses paid during fiscal year 2022 through USDA’s Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

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.

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.