Gov Newsom eliminates disaster safety net for small & BIPOC farms, dairies in may-revise budget proposal

Today California Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2024-25 may revision budget proposal. While acknowledging this year’s budget deficit, Community Alliance with Family Farmers(CAFF) and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) are disappointed by the additional cuts made to critical disaster relief for the majority of California’s farmers. Small and underserved farms account for over 75% of all farms in California, making them the backbone of our food system. And yet the Governor has proposed $17.9 million in cuts to the most accessible emergency relief program for small and underserved farmers. California farms have suffered both droughts and flooding in recent years and these cuts will eliminate funding for the most effective program to provide them assistance. 

TAKE ACTION

“As farmers, we have faced numerous challenges in recent years but combined with climate change, disasters have become more frequent, more severe, and more expensive. Small family farms like mine are struggling to keep up with emergency repairs and we cannot remain viable without some sort of a safety net. The Governor’s decision to eliminate the remaining disaster emergency relief—especially as it pertains to flood and storms—is a devastating blow that leaves us feeling abandoned in our time of need.” 

— Lilian Thaoxaochay, GT Florist & Herbs

Together the January and May Revision budget cuts eliminate vital investments that serve as a financial lifeline for farmers during climate crises and support essential small farm infrastructure. CAFF & CCOF urges budget revisions to restore the following crucial funds:

$17.9 million CDFA’s California Underserved & Small Producer Program for Emergency Flood & Drought Relief

$14.4 million to CDFA’s Farm to Community Food Hub Program for essential supply chain infrastructure

“CUSP funding has been a lifeline to keep organic family farms in business during these past few years of severe economic hardship. Without the safety net provided by CUSP, many California organic dairy farms would likely have gone out of business. Thanks to this program, we avoided the permanent loss of many of these organic farms, agricultural businesses that are critical economic hubs for California’s rural communities. Unfortunately, farm hardships have continued, meaning that the CUSP program is needed now more than ever.”  
 
– Joseph Button, VP, Sustainability & Strategic Impact, Straus Family Creamery

Despite California’s budget deficit, disaster relief programs like CUSP for small and underserved farmers should never be compromised. Farmers are on the frontlines of climate change disasters while operating on razor-thin margins. Without support, disasters like flood or drought can be devastating. Small farms are the backbone of California’s food system and yet we continue to see little investment in a desperately-needed safety net by this Administration. The lack of equity in this proposal is disappointing, to say the least.

The proposed $17.9 million in cuts to critical disaster relief jeopardizes the resilience of California’s food system. The CUSP program is a critical safety net for food producers who are weathering unprecedented challenges outside of their control, from extreme weather to supply chain disruptions and inflation. We call on the State to protect California’s food security by supporting those who feed our communities.

TAKE ACTION

Thank you for joining us to ensure small-scale farmers don’t get left out of this year’s State Budget and to push back against Governor Newsom’s proposed cuts to critical local food investments and emergency aid.

Please help us get the word out about these requests through whatever channels you can. If you are social media inclined repost our call to action on instagram!

The most impactful action you can take is to call your State Senator and Assemblymember (find your rep. + their contact info here) & Governor Newsom (contact info here) this week, using the following message:

“My name is _______ and I’m calling from _______ to urge you to fully RESTORE the following program’s funding which is currently proposed to be cut by Governor Newsom: 

  • $14.4 million to CDFA’s Farm to Community Food Hubs Program created by AB 1009 (Bloom) 
  • $12.9 million to CDFA’s California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) program 

Again, please reject these cuts proposed by the Governor, these programs are critical for the long-term success of small farms across California and our local food economies.” 

Please CALL your elected official TODAY! If you don’t know who your member is check here. If your are in a high priority* district your member’s phone number is below: 

Asm Gabriel: (916) 319-2046

Senator Weiner: (916) 651-4011

Senator Becker:  (916) 651-4013

Asm Bennett: (916) 319-2038

Senator McGuire: 916-651-4002

Asm Connolly: (916) 319-2012

Asm Wilson: (916) 319-2011

Asm Petrie-Norris: (916) 319-2073

Sen Allen: (916) 651-4024

Sen Blakespear: (916) 651-4038

Governor Newsom (ALL): (916) 445-2841