2020 CAFF Survey
CAFF’s ANNUAL SURVEY Your voice matters! By taking the time to complete this survey, you help guide CAFF’s work and advocacy to better serve and represent California family farmers, while
Why Family Farmers Say YES on Prop 15
This November, California voters will have a chance to support small farms, small businesses and local communities, while ensuring big, wealthy corporations pay more of their fair share of property
ACTION ALERT! Tell Congress: Local Farms Need COVID-19 Relief
The majority of farmers selling local foods have suffered severe market disruptions due to COVID-19, yet the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) has left them out. Now we have
Fire Relief Fund Launched to Support Family Farmers
Responding to wildfires across the state, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) re-launched a fund to support smaller-scale farms impacted by this latest disaster. The grassroots initiative aims to fill
Farm Resources for Wildfire Resilience
CAFF has carefully compiled a variety of resources to hep you and your farm prepare, respond and recovery from disasters such as the wildfires engulfing the golden state right now.
California Invests in Transition to Ecological Walnut Production
In a move to help walnut growers shift towards safer, more sustainable pest management practices, this week the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) awarded a $1 million grant
CAFF’S On-Farm Occultation Research Report
Research and recommendations on occultation Building on our work in biointensive no-till systems, CAFF’s Climate Smart Farming team launched a research trial on California vegetable farms on a related practice
Don’t Let Congress Ignore Small Farms Yet Again!
In the last COVID aid package, congress approved $16 billion to support U.S. agriculture. But how much of that money found its way to the small family farmers who need
2020 IS A YEAR OF BIG CHANGES
2020 IS A YEAR OF BIG CHANGES Over four decades ago, those who founded CAFF gave their word to help grow more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems. Today, we’re
CAFF’s Ecological Farming Program
Since 2017, CAFF’s Climate Smart Farming program has worked closely with farmers, researchers and technical assistance providers to investigate and promote climate smart farming practices through on-farm research and demonstration
Weak State Ag Report Highlights Need for Farmer Justice
Last month, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) released a much-anticipated report highlighting inequities in California agriculture and recommending steps the state agency can take to address historic
Small Farm FSMA Series Post 4 of 4
SMALL FARM FSMA SERIES – POST 4 of 4 Author: Stepheni Norton, Regional Food Safety Specialist FSMA is serious business, so we have a few disclaimers before we dig in.
Small Farm FSMA Series Post 3 of 4
Author: Stepheni Norton, San Diego Regional Food Safety Specialist FSMA is serious business, so we have a few disclaimers before we dig in. Advice provided here is meant for QUALIFIED
Best Design for Food Safety – Floors
Farmers can learn more in this resource created by the University of Vermont Extension and translated into Spanish by CAFF about how to design on-farm postharvest floors so that they
Smooth and Cleanable Surfaces
Farmers can learn more in this resource created by the University of Vermont Extension and translated into Spanish by CAFF about how to design on-farm postharvest areas so that the
Farm Cooler Checklist
Farmers can learn more about food safety best practices for on-farm coolers by checking out this resource created by the University of Vermont Extension and translated into Spanish by CAFF.
Worker Health & Hygiene: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet explains what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do to be in compliance with worker health
Wild & Domestic Animals: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet provides an overview of what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do to meet wild and
Monitoring Animals: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet provides an overview of what a farm that needs to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) needs to do in regards to
Land Use: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet provides an overview of what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do in regards to their
Soil Amendments from Animals: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet explains what farms that need to be in full compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) need to do with their soil amendments of animal origin
Written Plans: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet discusses an overview of what farms need to have for a written food safety plan if their need to be in full compliance with FSMA. There is also
Recordkeeping: FSMA & NOP
This factsheet explains the records farms that need to be in full compliance with FSMA must have and compares those vs. what records are required for the national organic program
FSMA 101 vs. Organic Regulations
This factsheet provides an overview of the three farm categories within the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and relates that food safety regulation to the national organic program (NOP)
FARM SURVEY: COVID-19 in the Workplace
(CAFF and the UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety invite you to complete a short survey about your experience addressing COVID-19 in the workplace. The survey should
Black Lives Matter, Solidarity from the Farm
BLACK LIVES MATTER SOLIDARITY FROM THE FARM FROM COMMUNITY ALLIANCE WITH FAMILY FARMERS Like many of you, we at CAFF have been gripped by the murder of George
Where Government Aid Falls Short, Grassroots Fund Helps Family Farms
Second round of grants to 36 farmers totals $90,000 Davis, CA – Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) announced the second round of emergency assistance grants to California farmers impacted
New FDA Guidance on FSMA Qualified Exempt Requirements During Covid
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released temporary guidance on the requirements that farms must meet to be considered qualified exempt under the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
USDA’s COVID-19 Farmer Relief Will Leave Out Farmers Most Impacted by Crisis
Thousands of Farmers and Ranchers Working to Feed their Communities Will Not be Fairly Compensated for Losses
Federal Aid for Farmers: Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Yesterday the White House announced that farmers may begin applying for direct payments as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office
Reconnecting Markets, Feeding Communities
RECONNECTING MARKETS, FEEDING COMMUNITIES Food System Supply & Demand during COVID-19 Are you seeking new markets and new customers during the COVID-19 crisis? Have you lost sales outlets? Do you
Fund Supports Family Farmers Falling Through the Cracks of COVID-19 Crisis
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) announced the first round emergency assistance grants to California farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic earlier today. Most of the growers haven’t or are
Take Steps Now to Prepare for Coronavirus Assistance
Since the COVID-19 crisis hit, CAFF has been working hard with our allies at the state and national levels, urging our government to not only provide relief for the agricultural
Urging Congress to Protect Organic Food & Ag During Pandemic
As a member of the Organic Farmers Alliance in D.C., CAFF joined in urging congress to include provisions in the next coronavirus relief package to help organic farmers, farmworkers, retailers,
EIDL Disaster Loan Applications Now Open to Farms
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories were able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of
State Program Puts Food Industry Back to Work, Sources from Local Farms to Feed Seniors in Need
Last week, Governor Newsom announced the launch of a first-in-the-nation “Great Plates Delivered” program, a state-funded meal delivery service with two goals: 1) help seniors and other adults at high
How To Be A Good Farmers Market Customer
To assure our farmers markets stay open, accessible and safe for everyone, it’s gonna take everyone doing their part on both sides of the booth.
Farm to Family Program
$2 million in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funding for CAFB to support harvesting, packing and shipping of donated specialty crop products. In addition, the state Department of Social Services
Governor: Expansion of Farm to Family Program
Governor Newsom Announces Expansion of Farm to Family Program and New Initiatives to Combat Food Insecurity. The Governor unveiled $3.64 million in new funding to expand the state’s Farm to
Farm Tough First Aid Kit
Most standard first aid kits you can buy do not come with supplies that are tough enough to withstand farming activities. CAFF created this Farm Tough First Aid Kit resource
Don’t Let the USDA Leave You Out
ACTION ALERT! As farmers and ranchers across the country are feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA is preparing to distribute $16 billion in direct aid to producers who have
New Funding: Soil Health Management in Orchards
Financial & technical assistance available through participating in On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials with the East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District! View below or download the application here.
New CDC Resource on Facemasks in Agriculture
Today (4/24/20) CDC released a new webpage providing information on facemasks, face coverings, and respirator use in agriculture. The article explains what type of face covering can be worn effectively
Farmers Now Eligible for Federal Funds
This week the Senate passed the latest aid package, which is now on its way to the House for a likely vote and the President has indicated he will sign
New Guidance for Operating Certified Farmers’ Markets During COVID-19
Updated 4/21 by the CDFA: This guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The California Department of Food and
CAFF Participating in Survey of Farm Workers During COVID-19
Farmworkers are considered essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis and continue to work on California farms and ranches. In order to ensure that these workers’ voices are shaping responses to
COVID Update: CA Dept. of Food & Ag
Governor Newsom Action on Unemployment Benefits, Including Undocumented Immigrants On April 15, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-50-20 to support California workers impacted by the Coronavirus, including financial aid to undocumented immigrants. The
COVID-19 USDA Farm Stimulus Packages
On Friday, the White House announced that it will direct $19 billion in funds to aid farmers and ranchers during the coronavirus crisis. CAFF and our allies in D.C. are
State Water Resources Control Board Limits Regulation of On-Farm Composting
(Updated 4/15/20) The State Water Resources Control Board’s Compost General Order that passed in 2015 presented a regulatory obstacle for on-farm composting, despite the state’s efforts to reduce waste and
On-Farm Food Safety Webinar
On 4/8/20 CAFF gave a webinar answering dozens of questions on on-farm food safety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judith Redmond from Full Belly Farm shared some tips and other