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 at all levels of government impact farms and ranches everywhere, shaping who has the opportunity to farm, the markets that farmers rely on, and the health of the ecosystems farmers work with. Advocating for policy change presents a unique opportunity to impact the lives of farmers and grow a more equitable and sustainable future for food and agriculture.
UPCOMING POLICY EVENTS
Yolano Regional Farmer Gathering
South Bay Urban Grower Gathering

HOW IT WORKS:
CAFF collaborates with farmers to create and advance policies that are rooted in their needs, promote economic fairness, strengthen local communities, center justice and equity, and advance environmental sustainability. We work to give voice to family farmers across California, listening to their needs, concerns and aspirations, and speaking up for those often too busy in the field growing our food to do so on their own.
With over four decades of experience in the halls of Sacramento and Washington D.C., together we advocate for policies ranging 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.
STATE: 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 our own to give family farmers a better chance at success. CAFF provides backbone support and is a member of the California Food & Farming Network, which is building a movement centered on racial equity to transform the food and farming system through state policies.
Â
NATIONAL: CAFF is an active member of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, working with partners from across the country to advocate for forward-thinking reform in the halls of D.C., from the Farm Bill to Immigration, giving California communities and farmers a voice in the national debate.

CAFF’s Statewide Policy Committee

Nelson Hawkins
Farmer, We Grow Urban Farm

Gowan Batist
Farmer, Fortunate Farm

C. Lilian Thaoxaochay
Small Farms Community Educator, UCCE Fresno Small Farms & Specialty Crops Program

Alexis L Malick-Koefoed
Owner, Soul Food Farm

Cindy Lashbrook
Farmer, Riverdance Farms

Emma Torbert
Farmer, UC Davis Student Farm

George Davis
Farmer, Porter Creek Vineyard

Ken Kimes
Farmer, New Natives

Judith Redmond (emeritus)
Full Belly Farm

Chris Fields Sr.
African American Farmers of California

Monica Lin
FoodShed

Josefina Lara Chavez
Senior Manager, Latinx Farmer Programming & Farm to Market

Dawnie Andrak
CAFF Board Chair

Cheyenne Stone
Big Pine Paiute Tribe

Steve Kroes
Policy Consultant & Realtor

In Memoriam: In 2020, 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. Learn more about Pete’s Legacy here or, to help us carry on his work here at CAFF, consider making a contribution here in his memory.
TAKE ACTION!

Have you called your elected representative lately? The most useful action you can take on legislation is to call the main office of the legislator you are seeking to influence, in either Sacramento or Washington DC. They’ll be ready to hear your perspective and take notes. Even a handful of calls on a specific bill may influence their vote.
HOW DO I CONTACT MY REPRESENTATIVE?
It’s easy to find out who represents you. Simply click below and enter your street address to access your representative’s website, phone number and address.
When you call, identify yourself as a constituent if you live in the district. Politicians are most interested in the opinions of their own voters. You may be asked for your zip code. (You can still call legislators who are not your personal representative, particularly if you are trying to influence a committee vote.)
You can also send your legislator an e-mail, or you can e-mail the staffer who is responsible for your issue. One call or email per issue and be clear and succinct!
FIND YOUR CALIFORNIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE
FIND YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
CAFF’s Policy Team

Dave Runsten
Water Policy Director

Jamie Fanous
Policy Director

Paul Towers
Executive Director

Stephanie Michelle
Urban Ag Policy Advocate & Organizer

CAFF Legislative Representation, Sacramento
Regenerative Strategies Consulting
CAFF Legislative Representation, Washington D.C.
National Sustainable Agriculture CoalitionÂ
