Hardship Assistance Fund

Hardship Assistance Fund is sponsored by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) in partnership with California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This fund provides direct financial disaster assistance grants to organic farmers and ranchers in California for hardships related to extreme weather or climate impacts. Applications are accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Hardship Assistance Fund - CCOF. org Direct financial support for organic producers Grants & Education Opportunities Giving direct financial assistance to organic producers The Hardship Assistance Fund gives $5,000 – $20,000 direct financial disaster assistance grants for hardship related to extreme weather or climate impacts to organic farmers and ranchers.

CCOF has partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer extreme weather and climate impact grants through the CUSP . These are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of extreme weather and climate impacts. Extreme weather and climate impact relief funding is open to organic producers in California.

* Grant amounts range between $5,000 to $20,000. *Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Extreme Weather and Climate Impact Relief for Farmers and Ranchers in California Hardship Assistance Fund applicant requirements: Be a certified organic operation with a valid organic certificate from any third-party USDA-accredited certifier (CDFA registration alone is not sufficient).

* Be a small or medium scale California agricultural producer, defined by this program as any farmer making up to $400,000 or dairy operation making up to $1,000,000 in annual gross sales.

Must be an organic farming or ranching business in California* Submit a complete and detailed description of hardship endured Submit supporting financial documentation of economic loss (Ex: Profit and Loss Statements ) Grant funds cannot be used for organic certification fees Submit receipts and/or verification of loss Submit a final progress report six months after grant is awarded (for grant recipients only) *Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Applications must be completed online Click here to review a sample application Applications periods are on a quarterly basis Granting rounds will open on the first Monday, and close the last Friday of each quarter January 5 – March 27, 2026 July 6 – September 25, 2026 October 5 – December 11, 2026 Awards granted the following quarter *Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Applications accepted quarterly.

Review Sample Application Extreme Weather and Climate Impact Relief Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to: Infrastructure damage/loss Expenses associated with soil erosion/mud or water damage and/or clean-up/debris removal Purchase or rental of flood control equipment Replacement of livestock feed, fertilizer, or other farm inputs or soil inputs (including compost and cover crop) Livestock mortality/beehive loss/livestock veterinary expenses or transportation/moving costs Replacement of crops: trees, nursery stock, perennial plant losses or payments to services for tree removal or replacement Crop Loss/Replacement: Annual vegetable production, perennial crops, and cover crops due to extreme weather (flooding, extreme heat/sunburn, wildfire) *Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to: Infrastructure damage/loss Expenses associated with soil erosion/mud or water damage and/or clean-up/debris removal Purchase or rental of flood control equipment Replacement of livestock feed, fertilizer, or other farm inputs or soil inputs (including compost and cover crop) Livestock mortality/beehive loss/livestock veterinary expenses or transportation/moving costs Replacement of crops: trees, nursery stock, perennial plant losses or payments to services for tree removal or replacement Crop Loss/Replacement: Annual vegetable production, perennial crops, and cover crops due to extreme weather (flooding, extreme heat/sunburn, wildfire) *Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Accepting applications during the following dates: July 6 – September 25, 2026 October 5 – December 11, 2026 Applications must be completed online Applications periods are on a quarterly basis Awards granted the following quarter Only fully complete applications are reviewed Once applications are initiated, they should be completed by the quarterly deadline Funds are provided as direct assistance Grant amounts range from $5,000 – $20,000 The application is available in both English and Spanish.

Accepting applications for farmers and ranchers in California who have been affected by extreme weather and climate impacts. Community is at the heart of the CCOF Foundation and we’re here to support you. If you have questions, please reach out to grants@ccof.

org or 831-346-6324. Se habla español. Review Sample Application We are so deeply grateful for this grant!

It will be a key factor in our farm’s survival. Blessings to all of you who made this possible. Patricia Rockwell , CCOF grantee owner of Green Gift Gardens Our dairy means everything to us, and we vow to keep it going even in the hard times.

The past few years have been hard, this last year especially so. The grant we were awarded by the Bricmont Fund came at exactly the right time, giving us much needed relief. Marissa Silva , CCOF Grantee Apply for financial assistance now