Community Alliance with Family Farmers

?? The past two weeks have been a rollercoaster for programs that provide local food for hungry families in California. ?? Farms Together, and the federal program that funds it, were frozen, unfrozen, and then partially canceled. ?? Farms Together brings collaboratives of small- and mid-sized farmers together to provide healthy, fresh, and local food to California families in need while opening up access to new and emergent marketplaces for local food. ?? Federal support helped spur business development and significant economic impact by directing tens of millions of federal dollars into the hands of small businesses and producers across California, particularly in the state’s more rural communities. ? And with your support, we’re envisioning what comes next. ?? Check out our latest blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gSTpANeC ?? Joint post with Fresh Approach #FarmsTogether #LFPA

?? Applying for the Organic Transition Pilot Program (OTPP)? Need help? ?? Join our drop-in office hours to get 1-on-1 assistance with your OTPP application! ???? CAFF staff will be available to answer your questions and guide you through the process. ?? Tuesdays: 3/4, 3/11, & 3/18 ? 3:00-4:00 PM PST ?? Online via Zoom No registration needed—just drop in! Get the support you need to apply for up to $30K in organic transition funding. ?? Join us: Click the link in our bio or visit caff.org/otpp #OrganicFarming #GoOrganic #FarmFunding #SmallFarms #SustainableAg #OrganicTransition #CAFF

This past Black History Month, we celebrated the resilience, challenges, and triumphs of Black farmers like Jacque Phillips and Donald Sherman. Their stories highlighted the crucial role Black farmers play in preserving agricultural traditions, overcoming systemic barriers, and strengthening their communities. Read the blog to reflect on their journeys and the importance of land access and community support. For the whole blog post: https://lnkd.in/gAW-hmxx F3 Initiative F3Local Video and photography captured by David Orozco

?? Farmers! Learn food safety & get a $500 stipend! ?? Join CAFF for a hands-on, no-slides food safety training designed for small farms! This two-day training will cover GAPs, FSMA rules, water safety, traceability & more—giving you the tools to strengthen your farm’s food safety practices. ? $500 stipend for attending both days ?? ? Printed course manual ($60 value) ?? ? Lunch provided ??? ? Small farm-focused guidance ?? ?? March 12-13, 2025 ?? Center for Land-Based Learning ?? Limited spots—first come, first served! ?? Register now: Click the link in our bio or visit https://lnkd.in/gywaDGgC #FoodSafety #SmallFarmTraining #SustainableAg #FSMA #FarmFunding #CAFF

?? Attention California farmers! If your farm has been impacted by extreme weather—heat waves, storms, frost, or other climate-related challenges—the CUSP Extreme Weather Grant is here to help. CAFF is offering up to $20,000 in direct financial assistance to support farm recovery and resilience. Applications are open from March 1 – April 1, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to access critical funding. Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/g-vSmrrg #FarmFunding #ClimateResilience #ExtremeWeather #SmallFarms #CAFF

?? URGENT: Farms & Families at Risk Without warning, the federal gov’t has frozen $ millions funding for Farms Together—a critical program that sources local produce from California’s small farmers to help families in need of fresh, nutritious food. This sudden halt threatens farmers’ livelihoods, stops investment into rural economies, and disrupts food assistance for thousands across California. The incredible impact of Farms Together last year alone:? ? 533 farms supported? ? $20M+ in CA-grown produce purchased? ? 8.7M lbs of food distributed How You Can Help: Call your U.S. Senator & Representative TODAY and urge them to reinstate this vital funding! To find your legislator’s contact info & use our simple call script, visit https://lnkd.in/g8uwV6-m Let’s stand together for our farmers and communities!

?? CAFF at the Edible Landscape Workshop! ?? We’re excited to share that Hanna Kahl, CAFF Senior Manager, will be moderating the Urban Farm Panel at the upcoming Edible Landscape Workshop on March 8 in West Sacramento! ?? This one-day workshop is designed for home gardeners and urban growers looking to boost their crop production, soil health, and climate resilience strategies. ?? Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, this event will offer inspiration, hands-on learning, and expert insights. ?? When: March 8, 9AM - 5PM ?? Where: Bryte Culinary Arts Facility, West Sacramento ?? Cost: $55 (includes lunch & garden tour) ?? Click the link in our bio or visit caff.org/events to register! @landbasedlearning @followthetomato #EdibleLandscapes #UrbanAg #SustainableFarming #HomeGardening #SoilHealth #CAFF

?? Farmers, rural communities, and food system organizations are facing devastating consequences due to funding freezes at USDA—despite court orders directing the funding to resume. Critical conservation payments, technical assistance, and grant reimbursements remain stalled, threatening farms, jobs, and livelihoods across the country. ?? We need your voice! Call your elected officials today and demand they take immediate action to ensure @usdagov honors its commitments and releases the funding that farmers and rural communities desperately need. Every day of delay puts more farms and jobs at risk—speak up now! #USDA #SmallFarms #FamilyFarmers #UrbanAg #Agriculture Call-In Script: Demand Congress Release Frozen Funds ?? Call Your Elected Officials: Find them at govtrack.us ?? Opening: Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a [farmer/small business owner/concerned constituent] from [Your City, State]. I’m calling to urge [Senator/Representative’s Name] to take immediate action to ensure USDA honors its commitments and releases the funding that farmers, rural communities, and food system organizations rely on. ?? Key Message: - Right now, USDA has frozen critical funding for conservation programs, technical assistance, and grants, despite court orders requiring the funding to continue. - Farmers are facing debt, organizations are preparing for layoffs, and essential services are being cut off due to these delays. - These are funds that were lawfully authorized by Congress and must be restored immediately. ?? Ask: I urge [Senator/Representative’s Name] to demand that USDA and the Administration lift these unlawful funding freezes immediately and resume reimbursements. Will [he/she/they] take action to ensure this issue is addressed? ?? Closing: Thank you for your time. Please keep me updated on what [Senator/Representative’s Name] is doing to fix this issue. Farmers and rural communities are counting on your leadership! ??After Your Call: Let us know

?? Welcome to the 37th Annual California Small Farm Conference! ?? Kicking off this year’s conference, CAFF board member Anna Nakamura Knight reminds us why we gather: to share knowledge, build community, and support small farms in the face of ever-growing challenges. This event is a beacon of hope, highlighting what’s working in agriculture and reinforcing that the answers are already within our communities—we just need to share them. With 100+ speakers, panels, and in-person gatherings, plus a sliding scale admission to keep it accessible, this conference is truly built by and for farmers, advocates, and food system changemakers. Let’s keep farming, learning, and growing together. #SmallFarms, forever. ?? ?? Visit caff.org/conference to learn more! #SmallFarmsConference #CAFarmers #SustainableAg #RegenerativeFarming #FoodJustice #LocalFarms #WeGrowTogether

[ESPA?OL ABAJO] ?? Know Your Rights: Farmers, Workers, Immigrants & Allies With ongoing immigration policy shifts, California’s farm and farmworker communities face new challenges. Learn from experts how to protect yourself and your community and be an effective ally in uncertain times. ?? Tuesday, February 25 ? 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PST ?? Online | Open Zoom This gathering is just one of over 60 events, both in person and online, taking place as part of the 37th annual California Small Farm Conference. ?? To learn more and get involved, click the link in our bio or go to caff.org/conference. #AgriculturaLatina #KnowYourRights #FarmworkerJustice #SmallFarmConference #ImmigrantRights . ?? Conozca Sus Derechos: Agricultores, Trabajadores, Inmigrantes y Aliados Con los cambios en las políticas migratorias de EE.UU., la comunidad agrícola enfrenta nuevos desafíos. Aprende de expertos cómo protegerte a ti mismo y a tu comunidad y cómo ser un aliado efectivo ante la incertidumbre. ?????? Ponente: Bernice Espinoza - @sonomaimmigrantservices ?? Martes 25 de febrero ? 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PST ?? En línea | Zoom abierto ?? Más info en el enlace en nuestra bio o en caff.org/conference.