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California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Grant Program is sponsored by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This program is designed to facilitate direct assistance to individual small and mid-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who need support applying for economic relief grant programs and assistance with business planning and marketing strategies.
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CDFA - California Underserved and Small Producer ProgramTITLE California Underserved and Small Producer Program The California Underserved and Small Producers Program (CUSP) is designed to facilitate support for small and medium scale California agricultural producers, or small and medium scale socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through direct relief grants.
Direct Assistance Providers act as administrators of the CUSP Direct Relief Grant Program and distribute relief grants to aid in addressing specific financial needs due to drought, extreme weather, and other climate impacts in California. Direct relief producer grants are available through partnering organizations, and available on a rolling basis.
The CUSP program also funds Technical Assistance (TA) providers to assist farmers and ranchers with applications to the Drought or Extreme Weather & Other Climate Impacts Relief programs.
TA providers may also offer assistance with federal and state economic and disaster relief programs, farm business management, financial planning and marketing assistance to individual agricultural producers as tools to mitigate immediate concerns and needs related to drought and extreme weather. New!
CDFA ANNOUNCES Awards for $17 million for Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts Relief and an additional $5 million for Drought Relief through the CUSP program.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Grants Administration announces that it is awarding $17 million in grants to six Direct Assistance Providers throughout the state via the 2024 CUSP Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts direct relief program. An additional $5 million has also been awarded to four providers via the 2023 CUSP Drought direct relief program.
CUSP Direct Assistance Providers will distribute direct relief producer grants for both the Drought and Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts programs on a rolling basis throughout the two-year grant period. Four of the providers will also provide Technical Assistance (TA) to assist producers with direct relief applications. The start date for these projects is January 2024 and they will continue through December 2026.
Who is eligible for direct relief grants? Direct Relief Recipients are made up of the following: Small and medium scale California agricultural producers. “Small and medium scale” California producers are defined by this program as any farmer making up to $400,000 or any dairy operation making up to $1,000,000 in annual gross sales.
Small and medium scale socially disadvantaged California farmers and ranchers. “Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” means a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. “Socially disadvantaged group” means a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.
These groups include all of the following: (1) African Americans, (2) Native American Indians, (3) Alaskan Natives, (4) Hispanics, (5) Asian Americans, and (6) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Eligible producers may receive up to $20,000 in CUSP Drought Relief funds as well as up to $20,000 in CUSP Extreme Weather Relief funds (for a total of up to $40,000) within a 12-month period.
Direct Relief Producer Grants Application Periods CUSP Direct Assistance Provider AsianBusiness Institute and Resource Center (ABIRC) Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District Inland Empire Resource Conservation District Sierra Resource Conservation District SRCD Agriculture and Rangeland Link to Application (Spanish) Ventura County Resource Conservation District Technical Assistance Available – Technical Assistance (TA) for agricultural producers to receive assistance on applications to CUSP Drought or Extreme Weather & Other Climate Impacts Relief Grants is available.
CUSP Technical Assistance Providers CUSP Technical Assistance Provider Asian Business Institute and Resource Center (ABIRC) (extension 111 or extension 109) Yessenya Martinez, yessenya@fresnoabirc.
org (extension 109) TA available in Spanish, Hmong, and Lao Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation Inland Empire Resource Conservation District Sierra Resource Conservation District TA available in Punjabi and Spanish Ventura County Resource Conservation District University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) Solano, Yolo: Phillip Fujiyoshi Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced: Vong Moua Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito: Cici Cui San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara: Claire Tuohey-Mote Statewide: Meaghan Donovan Offer of Help with CUSP Applications in Exchange for CUSP Funds CDFA has been made aware of individuals offering to help with CUSP applications in exchange for compensation upon receipt of CUSP funds.
Anyone carrying out this scheme is not authorized or condoned by CDFA. Only the organizations listed on the CUSP website are authorized to accept applications or provide Technical Assistance (TA). CDFA, CUSP organizations, and TA providers will never charge fees for applications or assistance.
Scroll down for links to open applications CUSP Drought Relief Funding Eligible Practices Table | CUSP Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts Relief Eligible Practices Table | The application period for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is now open. California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Grants Administration Sacramento, California 95814 Resources for CUSP Direct Assistance Providers
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Individual small and mid-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in California. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Grant Program is funded by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in California. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
2027 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is sponsored by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting concept proposals for its 2027 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). This program funds projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops, supporting all sectors of the industry and improving performance in various markets. Projects should address a clear industry need and demonstrate broad benefit to California specialty crops. Funding areas include market enhancement, access, education, training, and research. An additional assistance program for limited resource applicants will open in November 2026.
CalAgPlate Grant Program is sponsored by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CalAgPlate program funds projects that support agricultural education, career awareness and development, and leadership development for K-12, post-secondary, and adult education levels. School/community garden enrichment programs are specifically mentioned as an example within the Agricultural Education funding category. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply under Tier 2, and individual schools and school districts are encouraged to partner with eligible non-profit organizations.
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