Sacramento, CA — Today California Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2025-26 state budget proposal, which demonstrates the important opportunities made possible by the recently passed Proposition 4 Climate Bond. This budget comes amidst wildfires raging in Southern California, impacting so many Californians including many urban farmers, farmers markets, community gardens and farms. It points directly to the importance of funding programs that support sustainable farming practices, regional infrastructure, and disaster response in the face of climate chaos.
We are pleased to see that there are a number of state investments aimed at supporting underserved and small-scale farmers, and there are no proposed cuts to the California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Program or Farm to Community Food Hub Program at CDFA. We look forward to working with the legislature and administration on continuing to invest in California’s most vulnerable farming populations. Including but not limited to:
- $18.8 million to the Urban Agriculture Grant Program
- $200,000 to the Tribal Food Sovereignty Program
- $200,000 to the Regional Farm Equipment Sharing Program
- $9.6 million to the Mobile Farmers’ Market Grant Program
- $9.6 million to the Year-Round Certified Farmers’ Market
“It’s really heartening to see how the proposed budget and Climate Bond have put our state in a better position to support small and underserved farmers. California has a lot of work ahead, but we’re excited to work with the administration and legislature to make these much needed programs as impactful as possible.” – Catherine Van Dyke, Deputy Director of Water Policy, CAFF
“The investments in emergency relief through CUSP, urban agriculture, regional tool sharing and farmers markets feel especially important as LA is rocked by the current fires. It’s so important to continue building regional infrastructure to allow agriculture to thrive around our state, especially for small-scale growers who so often struggle to access resources.” – Alexis Malick-Koefoed, Farmer, Soul Food Farm