All posts in Covid19
Guía Sobre Incendios Forestales y Inocuidad Alimentaria
INTRODUCCIÓN La Ley de Modernización de Inocuidad de los Alimentos fue promulgada en 2011 y comprende numerosas normas. Una de ellas es la Norma de Seguridad de los Productos Agrícolas […]
What to Know About Wildfire and Food Safety
Introduction In 2011 the Food Safety Modernization Act was signed into law. Of the many rules in this law, the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) was created to address federal food […]
Gully Stuffing
Gullies pose many threats to farmland, including the removal of fertile topsoil, damage to infrastructure, danger to livestock, and decreased water quality. Also, due to loss of protective vegetation, erosion […]
Earth, Fire, and Water
CAFF Sends Fellow to Fire Practitioner Training Last fall, CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program sent Josh Harjes, its resident Grizzly Corps fellow, to a Firefighter Type 2 training in northwestern Sonoma […]
Mushrooms for Wildfire Resilience
A Workshop with Cheetah Tchudi on Mycoremediation All photos taken by Michael Berlin In December 2022, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers partnered with TurkeyTail Farm to co-host a workshop […]
Pile Burning on Working Lands: Siskiyou County
On a chilly March morning in Northern California, a group of ranchers, land stewards, and fire practitioners held an all day workshop on a land management practice called pile burning. Justin […]
Cómo responder a los apagones por motivos de seguridad pública (las “PSPS”)
En respuesta a condiciones climáticas adversas, el PG&E implementará un corte de energía por motivos de seguridad pública, lo que PG&E llama Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) en inglés. En […]
Community Wildfire Planning Center
This non-profit organization believes in empowering people through wildfire education and action. They assist state and local governments, fire departments, land managers, and residents in creating safe and vibrant places. […]
2019 Camp Fire Water Resources Monitoring and Research Symposium
The symposium brought together researchers who have been investigating the impacts of the Camp Fire and other urban fires in Northern California. Speakers covered a diversity of research conducted on […]
RX Fire Field Guide – Placer RCD
The Rx Fire Field Guide created by the Placer County Resource Conservation District serves as a landowner education tool and provides a framework to guide discussions on prescribed burning between […]
California’s Alternative Food Networks in the Face of Market Digitalization
Sasha Pesci, a former contractor and consultant for the Small Farm Tech Hub at CAFF recently published exciting research looking at the digital divide in direct market farmers’ online sales during the […]
Ag/Livestock Pass Programs in California
What is an Ag/Livestock Pass? The Agriculture and Livestock Pass Identification Card is a form of verification that allows farmers and ranchers to access their properties and tend to their […]
Wildfire and Food Safety References
CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program collaborated with the National Farmers Union to create a unique resource called “What to Know About Wildfire & Food Safety”. Be sure to peruse the links […]
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day 2023
Happy wildfire community preparedness day! Have you ever looked at your calendar and noticed there’s a holiday that you’ve never heard of before? Sure, there are the ones that are […]
Consejos para Agricultores Familiares Preparando por Evacuaciones durante un Incendio Forestal
Hoy en día, el cambio climático, la propagación de plantas invasivas y la actualización de prácticas agrícolas están aumentando constantemente la frecuencia de los incendios forestales. Como resultado, es importante […]
Episode 3: First Rain Farm- Nevada City
In this episode, we travel to First Rain Farm in Nevada County, where Tim Van Wagner is integrating a number of effective wildfire preparation methods on his property, as well […]
Wildfire Retardant Impacts to Organic Certification
In this episode of ‘Sustainability Now!’ host Ronnie Lipschutz and guests Amber Schat and David Obermiller discuss farmers facing the loss of organic certification due to climate-related disasters and wildfires.
Webinar: Post-Fire Remediation and Watershed Defense
From CoRenewal, this webinar features Taylor Bright and Matthew Trumm, who will explain the how, what and why of proposed bioremediation approaches, and lessons learned during post-fire wattle biofiltration installations […]
Episode 2: Wild Oat Hollow Penngrove, CA
In this episode, Sarah Keiser of Wild Oat Hollow in Penngrove, CA describes her entry into ranching and how her love of the land positioned her to become a leader […]
New Podcast Season: Farmer Stories of Wildfire Recovery & Preparedness
CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program provides specialized recovery and preparedness resources for small farms and communities in California impacted by wildfire and those seeking to prepare against future threats. One of […]
Episode 1: Turkey Tail Farm – Yankee Hill
In this episode we visit Cheetah Tchudi at his diversified operation in Yankee Hill, Butte County, CA. Cheetah shares his experience surviving the 2018 Paradise wildfire, and some methods for […]
Maneuvering Through Wildfire Evacuations – for Small Farmers
Farmers face increasing fire frequency, size and severity due to several factors, including climate change, the spread of invasive grasses and by changing farming practices. If you live and farm […]
5 Key Wildfire Resilience Practices
It’s not always obvious that some of the ecological farming practices used frequently by farmers, also provide wildfire protection and recovery benefits. Check out the infographic below which was developed […]
Navigating Public Safety Power Shut Offs for Farmers
PG&E will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff, also called a PSPS, in response to severe weather as a public safety measure. After the catastrophic fires of 2017 and 2018, […]
Reflections on USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2.0
Applications for the USDA’s CFAP-2 (Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2.0) closed last week on October 12th. CFAP-2 was the second round of federal funding for farmers who faced losses during […]
Farmers: Need Help Covering Your Covid-19 Business Costs?
(Español abajo) Looking for a way to cover costs — particularly those driven by market changes — incurred during the pandemic? The new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program […]
Latest Round of Federal Funding for Farmers Impacted by COVID-19: Limited Time, Apply Now!
Note: Translated application and fact sheets are available in Hmong (Hmong), 한국어(Korean), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi), Español (Spanish), اردو (Urdu), and Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) found here. The USDA is handing out $14 […]
Persevering Through COVID-19: Schools Support Food Access in San Mateo County
PERSEVERING THROUGH COVID-19: Schools Support Food Access in San Mateo County California schools, a significant market for family farmers, are critical sources of food access for local communities. CAFF Teamed […]
Ca Relief Grants: Farmer Applications Open for Round 6
Learn how to apply for the California Relief Grant
California Relief Grant: Round 2 opens Tuesday 2/2
(Español abajo) If you missed Round 1 of the California Relief Grant for businesses impacted by Covid, there’s still time to get your application in! Round 2 is open February […]
Farmers’ Market Workers Should be Included in 1B Vaccine Group
January 15, 2021 To: Dr Erica Pan, CDPH; Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, OSG; Community Vaccine Advisory Committee Members CC: Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary Karen Ross, Bobbie Wunsch Re: Ensure […]
Newest Round of Federal COVID-19 Aid for Farmers More Accessible
The USDA is handing out $14 billion of CCC/CARES money as CFAP 2.0. The new program is a marked improvement on the last version with more eligible commodities and a payment option […]
More Funds for Farmers Impacted by COVID-19 & Economic Crisis
For many family farmers reeling from the economic turmoil of COVID-19, sorely needed emergency relief never came because the government programs intended to serve them were targeted to the largest […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
How to be a Good CSA Member This Season
Your partner farm provides fresh, healthy, safe food every week. Here are ways you can ensure you’re helping maintain a safe and responsible environment for yourself and for other members […]
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 […]
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). […]
COVID-19 Sparks a Rebirth of the Local Farm Movement
Yes! Magazine – When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the future of the Cannard Family Farm—whose organic vegetables supplied a single Berkeley restaurant—was looking stark. Ross Cannard is the son of […]
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 […]
Plataformas de software de venta directa
Mientras mercados, restaurantes, y otros canales de distribución de comida cierran o reducen operaciones para prevenir el contagio de COVID-19, granjas en todo el país han expresado interés en usar […]
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 […]
Guidance for Farm Direct Sales & U-Pick during COVID-19
The following is intended to help guide agriculture entities that engage in Farm Direct Sales (farm store or farm stand) and support farm visit activities, such as Pick-YourOwn (PYO). Farm […]
As Food Supply Chain Breaks Down, Farm-To-Door CSAs Take Off
NPR – Images of some American farmers dumping milk, plowing under crops and tossing perishables amid sagging demand and falling prices during the deadly coronavirus pandemic has made for dramatic TV.
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, […]
Without Restaurants Sales, Local Farms Face Tough Decisions
KQED – The COVID-19 pandemic hit just as farms had to make decisions about how much to plant. Spring is the time of year farmers plant for the summer and […]
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 […]
USDA Announces Additional Food Purchase Plans
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, in addition to […]
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 […]
23 Organizations Eliminating Food Waste During COVID-19
ECOWATCH – To eliminate the food surplus in California’s food system, CAFF works with farmers to redirect their food supply away from their usual commercial customers and into the hands of […]
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 […]
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 […]
Organic farmers fill national food system holes revealed by COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has shrunk the farm-to-table restaurant channel as waiting lists build for CSAs; meanwhile, farmers markets tiptoe into the season, forcing organic farmers to pivot across markets. Here’s […]
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 […]
Updated CDC Guidance on Critical Workers
Updated 4/24/20 – To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they […]
How Covid-19 Is Transforming Our Food System
KPFA – Within just a few short months, the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed just about every facet of our society. That includes our food system, where the multiple impacts of […]
Take Your Local Food Online (Webinar)
Take Your Local Food Online provided practical information and tips from farmers using online sales platforms. Platforms covered in this video include: Woo Commerce — Kat Becker, Cattail Farms Graze […]
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 […]
$3 billion Available to Food Hubs Distributors to Feed Those in Need
Local and regional distributors funded to procure and provide boxes of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to food banks and other non-profits serving Americans in need.
Financial Resources from CA FarmLink
CA FarmLink connects farmers and ranchers with financing, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, forgivable if used for payroll and other eligible expenses.
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 […]
USDA Announces Coronavirus Food & Farm Assistance Program
(Washington, D.C., April 17, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will take several […]
Webinar: Farmers Markets during COVID
Webinar recording from the California Association of Farmers Markets covering best practices, tips, presentations from managers from across the state and more.
New Legislation, Crucial Support to Family Farmers & Ranchers
On April 13, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced landmark legislation to provide debt relief to small farmers across the country. The Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act issues one-time debt relief of up to $250,000 […]
Direct Sales Software Platforms
This publication highlights product options and sales models that farmers may find helpful. While markets, restaurants, and other food distribution channels close or reduce operations to prevent the spread of […]
Urge Congress to help get Covid-19 money out the door to farmers
ACTION ALERT! The U.S. Department of Agriculture is weighing how to spend $9.5 billion in relief for farmers, ranchers and local food systems, already allocated by Congress under the Coronavirus […]
CA announces $125 million fund for undocumented immigrants impacted by coronavirus
California’s $75 million Disaster Relief Fund will support undocumented Californians impacted by COVID-19 who are ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits and disaster relief, including the CARES Act, due to their immigration status. Approximately 150,000 […]