POLICY
We are the voice of sustainable agriculture in California. For over 40 years, we’ve been advocating for state and national policies that create more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems.
Policies shape how we farm, the markets we rely on, and the regulations that either prevent or empower the kind of food and farming system we all want to see.
From food safety regulations to immigration reform, ecosystem protections to the local markets on which our small businesses depend, local, state and federal policies have the power to help farms thrive, steward our lands and produce healthy food. Or to put them out of business.
We at CAFF & The Farmers Guild give voice to family farmers all across California, listening closing to the needs, concerns and aspirations of those often too busy in the field to speak up for themselves. With over four decades of experience in the halls of Sacramento, together with a committee comprised of farmers, we advocate for policies that create more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems. And through our membership in the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, we work with partners from across the country to advocate for forward-thinking reform at the federal level as well.
WHAT'S NEW IN FOOD & AG POLICY
Tell Our CA State Legislature that Backing Governor’s 2021 Budget Means Supporting Family Farms
Last week, Governor Newsom released his California state budget, which included funding for a number of incredibly important programs aimed at helping family farms during
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
Family farmers applaud Governor’s investments in underserved small farmers & ecological agriculture
Sacramento – Earlier today, Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed FY 21-22 budget, including targeted investments to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Alliance with Family
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
California Legislative Bills of Concern to CAFF
Every year, we weigh in on California legislation, lending our support to bills that promote our mission and our members, opposing those that threaten them, and sponsoring bills of own to give family farmers and sustainable agriculture a better chance to succeed. Here you can track the progress of bills we’re following as well as find our positions on past legislation.
KEY POLICY ISSUES
Click on the above photos to learn more about the key issues of concern to CAFF & The Farmers Guild and how we’re advocating for state and federal policies that better promote family farms, local food systems and sustainable agriculture.
OUR STATEWIDE POLICY COMMITTEE
Guinda, CA
Sacramento, CA
Redlands, CA
Livingston, CA
Aptos, CA
Healdsburg, CA
Royal Oaks, CA
Redcrest, CA
Ojai, CA
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA
In Memoriam
October 7, 2020: Late last month, we lost a friend, devoted CAFF board member and tireless champion in Sacramento fighting for family farms across the state. Pete Price served as CAFF’s legislative representative from 1998 to 2010 and joined the board in 2000 where he chaired the Policy Committee. Working to reform our food and agricultural system, Pete volunteered countless hours, always guided by an unwavering commitment to fairness, justice and sustainability. Pete was determined to retire from CAFF once and for all this December, but a bicycle accident cut that goal short. His legacy, however, lives on.
Learn more about Pete, his contributions to the world of sustainable ag policy, and how we are honoring his legacy.
In honor of Pete, we at CAFF are announcing the creation of the Pete Price Farm Policy Champions Fund. The Fund will provide resources for farmers and sustainable agriculture advocates to engage in California state policymaking. Interested parties can make a contribution here. In addition, CAFF is creating the Pete Price Farm Policy Champion of the Year award, as part of our annual recognition of food and farming champions across the state at the California Small Farm Conference.
Dave directs all of CAFF’s policy work as well as the food safety and water stewardship outreach. Dave is an agricultural economist who conducted research on such topics as contract agriculture in Mexico, fair trade coffee in Oaxaca, regional competitiveness of the produce industry, living wages in Los Angeles, and farm labor in California.
dave[at]caff.org | 530-756-1298
CAFF Legislative Representation, Sacramento
Justin Malan, Eco Consult
CAFF Policy Advisors
Stellman Keehnel, Esq., Seattle
E. Phillip LeVeen, PhD, Berkeley
CAFF Legislative Representation, Washington DC
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition