CAFF’s blog (with posts by farmers, members of our Board of Directors, CAFF staff, and other agricultural advocates) includes action alerts, farming resources, policy news and updates, event information, CAFF press releases, and other food and farming topics.
Winners of the 2022 Small Farm Innovation Challenge
With community-scaled ingenuity at heart, the winners of this yearโsย Small Farm Innovation Challengeย offer solutions for local agriculture. In its second year, the Challenge sought submissions from around the world for
Member Spotlight: Alchemist Farm
Happy 2022! This year we want to start strong by highlighting the amazing farmers that are essential to the work we do at CAFF. This month, we want to introduce
Drought-threatened Family Farmers React to Governorโs Proposed Budget
Today California Governor Gavin Newsom released a record-breaking state budget proposal that includes significant investments to address climate change, support sustainable agriculture, and expand access to healthy school food. Unfortunately,
Locally-Grown Food Won’t Get Stuck in the Suez Canal
In March of this year, an Empire State Building-sized cargo ship infamously lodged itself in the Suez Canal. But while the world watched as engineers scrambled to remove this gargantuan
Why Do Farmers Join CAFF?
ย Hi there, Maybe you’re a farmers market regular committed to ensuring that everyone has access to healthy, local food. Or a climate change activist who knows that rich, thriving,
BIOS Field day River Garden Farms
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) hosted our second Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) field day at River Garden Farms on November 30th, 2021 titled โCover Cropping, Sanitation and
No-Till News: An Update on CAFFโs Biointensive No-Till Projectย
Since 2017, CAFFโs Ecological Farming team has been conducting an on-farm demonstration project in collaboration with California no-till farmers to better understand small-scale biointensive no-till farmingโs effect on soil health.
Food Safety Plan Templates in Spanish
CAFFโs free food safety plan templates for small farmers are now available in Spanish. The templates can be used by farmers that need to be in compliance with the federal
Plantillas de Planes de Inocuidad Alimentaria en Espaรฑol
Las plantillas gratuitas del plan de seguridad alimentaria de CAFF para pequeรฑos agricultores ya estรกn disponibles en espaรฑol. Las plantillas pueden ser utilizadas por los agricultores que necesitan cumplir con
Technical Assistance for the Healthy Soils Program!
Are you interested in implementing cover crops, compost, mulch, hedgerows and other Healthy Soils practices on your farm? The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering 3 year
The California School District Produce Procurement Guide
A resource developed by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and Community Health Improvement Partnerโs (CHIP) Farm to Institution Center.ย Use controls at the bottom to flip pages, enter full
Reflections on USDAโs Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2.0
Applications for the USDAโs 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?
(Espaรฑol abajo) Looking for a way to cover costs โ particularly those driven by market changes โย incurred during the pandemic? The new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program
NOP/FSMA/3rd Party Audit Food Safety Guide
This guide provides charts that give a side-by-side comparison of the similarities and differences between the requirements of the National Organic Program, Food Safety Modernization Act, and 3rd Party Food
CAFF Survey: 2021
CAFF’S ANNUAL SURVEY DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15! Your voice matters! Please take a few moments (no more than 5-8 minutes) to complete CAFF’s annual survey. The feedback you provide here helps
Gov. Signs Historic Budget: Success for Family Farmers in the Capitol!
Today, Governor Newsom signed a $15 billion climate budget package passed earlier this month by the California State Legislature, the largest in Californiaโs history aimed at investing in the needs
New Competition Seeks Innovations for Small Farms
While farm tech may conjure images of GPS-driven tractors, robot harvesters, and biotechnology, a new competition in California is calling on innovators to refocus their attention away from scaling up
CAFF kicks off BIOS program with event promoting sustainable nut orchards
The first Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) event on โImpacts of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnutsโ was held in Linden at the Anderson-Barngrover Ranch on Friday August 27th.
Family Farmer Emergency Fund Provides Drought & Pandemic Relief
Davis, CA – With many small farms still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, and deepening impacts felt from the drought, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is relaunching its California
Debt Relief for Farmers of Color & White Allies
A few weeks ago, an odd request appeared on an online farmer discussion group to which I belong. A lawyer was soliciting white farmers to join a lawsuit fighting a
Rescue Small Farms, California!
Irrigation pipes beside a fallow field that last year overflowed with vegetables for a local CSA. Photo by Kelsey Joy Murphey Farming has always been a risky business, but here
Drought’s Toll on California Family Farms
Just as California begins recovering from a year of pandemic and devastating wildfires, the state is facing another disaster: severe drought and record-breaking high temperatures. Small farmers who scrambled to
CAFF chosen as a 2021 Nonprofit of the Yearย
This week, CAFF was selected as a 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Sydney Kamlager. Weโre honored to join other inspiring nonprofits around the state recognized for their
Critical Investments for Our Small Family Farmers
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers is calling on legislative leaders to support critical investments in Californiaโs small and underserved farmers. CAFF is seeking legislative support for approximately $60 million
Family Farmers Return from State Capitol with High Hopes
Earlier this month, CAFF traveled (virtually) to the State Capitol in Sacramento to meet with legislators during CAFFโs Week of Action. Over three days, farmers and ranchers participated in meetings
Revision to Co-Selling Regs at Farmers Markets
State of California Memorandum ย To : Certified Producerโs, Market Operatorsย and other Interested Parties Date: May 18, 2021 Sacramento (916) 900-5030 From : Department of Food and Agriculture – Steve
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), ํ๊ตญ์ด(Korean), เจชเฉฐเจเจพเจฌเฉ (Punjabi), Espaรฑol (Spanish), ุงุฑุฏู (Urdu), and Tiแบฟng Viแปt (Vietnamese) found here.ย The USDA is handing out $14
Updated Food Safety Plan in Spanish
CAFF’s free food safety plan template for small farmers has recently been updated. The template is geared towards farmers that need to be in compliance with the federal Food Safety
Fund Gives Sacramento Small Farmers New Tools To Recover from Pandemic
Sacramento, CA – With many small farms still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) announced today that the nonprofit is launching a fund to help
Getting the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) demonstration project off the ground!
The BIOS project is underway! CAFF’s Ecological Farming team has been busy the past several weeks setting up the Biologically Integrated Orchards Systems (BIOS) project at six demonstration sites located
Bold Climate & Agriculture Bill Introduced in Congress
Today, Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA) in Congress, outlining a farmer-focused, research-driven path to net zero agriculture. This Earth Day,
CAFF Week of Action 2021
CALLING ALL FAMILY FARMERS: MAKEย YOURย VOICE HEARD! Join us for CAFFโs (first ever!) Week of Action, May 17 โ 19th, a series of virtual meetings with yourย state legislators! In order to
Farmer Opportunity: Local Food Access for Seniors
Eligible farmers, farmers markets and other local aggregators have a unique opportunity to help distribute fresh, local produce to seniors across California. The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program may look
Californiaโs small farmers thank state leaders for critical pandemic relief support
CAFF-led effort helps deliver $3.35 million in state early action funds will help underserved farmers access relief and recovery dollarsย Sacramento, CAย – Today California state leaders enacted budget legislation
PC Rule Guide for Food Hubs and Values-Based Buyers
FSMA Supplier Verification Demystified The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is composed of seven main rules or sections. Th common name of one of those sections is the PC or
Action Alert: Sign-on to Support Food Hubs!
๐จ ACTION ALERT! ๐จโ SIGN ON TO SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD HUBS! Calling on Farmers, Ranchers, and Organizations to sign on in support of a California Assembly Bill (AB1009 – Bloom)
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
Californiaโs Chance for a Resilient and Equitable Food & Farming System
The coronavirus pandemic has revealed weaknesses within our food and farming system and exacerbated long-standing inequities. This pandemic has disproportionately impacted Californiaโs small-scale farmers and, in particular, historically underserved farmers
Family Farmers Condemn Anti-Asian Violence
We condemn the harassment, violent attacks, and most recent murders of those in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We are horrified not only by the recent surge
Family Farmers for Early Action on CA State Budget
The below letter was sent by CAFF and signed by dozens of family farmers across the state to members of the California state Senate and Assembly, expressing our support for
Integrating Sheep into Walnuts: a case study on Sierra Orchards
Want to find out more about the benefits and tradeoffs of integrating sheep into orchard systems? Check out our newest case study on Sierra Orchards of Winters, CA. Sean McNamara
CAFF’s Farmer Survey Results 2021
In 2020 we asked you to complete our annual survey, participate in one-on-one conversations, and listening sessions – this critical feedback from farmers helps guide CAFFโs work and advocacy to
House Ag Committee Proposes Much-Needed Aid in Next COVID Relief Package
COVID-19 Funding Will Assist with Farm and Food System Response and Recovery February 9th, 2021, Washington, DC โ Today, the House of Representatives released the Agriculture and Nutrition title of
CAFF on CA Assembly Ag Committee Hearing
CAFF’s public comment for the California Assembly Ag Committee Hearing, February 10, 2021:ย Good Afternoon Chair Rivas and members. Jamie Fanous for theย Community Alliance with Family Farmers.ย CAFF has represented small
Don’t Let FDA’s Unfair Rules Jeopardize Small Farms
When it comes to regulating American agriculture, one size does NOT fit all. That was the message that CAFF and thousands of family farmers brought to the Food & Drug
California Relief Grant: Round 2 opens Tuesday 2/2
(Espaรฑol abajo) If you missed Round 1 of the California Relief Grant for businesses impacted by Covid, thereโs still time to get your application in! Round 2 is open February
2021 California Food & Farm Champions
Every year, we honor individuals, farms and local businesses making a positive impact on our food and agricultural communities throughout California. This year’s nominationsโsubmitted by people like youโoverflowed with inspiring
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 the pandemic, advancing social equity
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