Rooted in care. Ready in crisis.

Since 2020, the California Farmer Relief Fund (CFRF) has provided direct financial assistance to over 1,000 small-scale family farmers impacted by climate disasters like wildfire, flood, and drought, rising costs, and systemic exclusion. Administered by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) in partnership with grassroots and regional organizations, the fund prioritizes those most often left out of traditional aid: BIPOC, immigrant, and undocumented farmers.

CUSP Drought applications open through July 31, 2026

Apply now

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The California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Program is designed to facilitate support for small and medium-scale California agricultural producers, or small and medium-scale Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFR’s) through technical assistance with business planning and financial and marketing strategies, and also provides direct farmer grants for drought relief for those same priority groups. Funding is available for drought impacts dating back to 2017.

Click below to learn more about the new grant application portal, eligibility requirements for the California Underserved Small Producer (CUSP) Program, documentation quality, and to get connected with technical assistance providers if need be!

Dig deeper into CUSP

Still need more help?

Join our interactive webinars and get more information tailored to your specific situation.

Events

Today

  • CUSP Drought 2026 Virtual Office Hours

    Recurring
    Virtual
    Webinar

    CAFF's CUSP Drought application will be open July 1, 2026- July 31, 2026! Need assistance with your CAFF CUSP Drought 2026 Application? We are hosting five virtual office hours to support farmers with creating and filling out their application. ¡La solicitud de CAFF Financiación por Sequía CUSP 2026 estará abierta del 1 al 31 de […]

    Free

  • CUSP Drought 2026 In-Person Office Hours: Salinas

    El Gabilan Library 1400 N Main St, Salinas, CA, United States

    CAFF's CUSP Drought application will be open July 1, 2026- July 31, 2026! Need assistance with your CAFF CUSP Drought 2026 Application? We are hosting three in person office hours in the central coast to support farmers with creating and filling out their application. ¡La solicitud de CAFF Financiación por Sequía CUSP 2026 estará abierta […]

    Free

  • CUSP Drought 2026 In-Person Office Hours: Aptos

    Aptos Branch Library 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA, United States
    Central Coast

    CAFF's CUSP Drought application will be open July 1, 2026- July 31, 2026! Need assistance with your CAFF CUSP Drought 2026 Application? We are hosting three in person office hours in the central coast to support farmers with creating and filling out their application. ¡La solicitud de CAFF Financiación por Sequía CUSP 2026 estará abierta […]

    Free

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Do you need relief?

If you're a small-scale farmer in California, CFRF may be able to help.

  • Single payment reimbursable grants for eligible farmers
  • Application assistance from local organizations
  • Materials available in multiple languages
  • Priority given to BIPOC, immigrant, and undocumented farmers
Learn more

"To us, getting this grant made us feel seen as small farmers."

Claire Main, Capay Valley

Thank you CAFF for the continuing support of small family farmers. A drought farm grant would benefit our small family farm greatly. We farm in an area in Southern California that can be especially bad in the summer months. A grant will help us immensely in our ability to keep our trees, farm, animals alive and healthy. It keeps our farm standing on its feet, preventing crops from drying, ensuring we have enough water and it helps keeping a balanced ecosystem.
Elias Ammar
Elias AmmarColton
This grant means so much to my farm and family right now! We have struggled with so many cost increases caused by the drought that we’ve barely been able to stay afloat. This grant brings much need relief to get us through the winter and better prepare us for next year! I am beyond grateful for this emergency funding!
Alexandria Miranda
Alexandria MirandaTurlock
We're extremely grateful to have received a CFFEF grant from CAFF. The 2021 drought impacted our small farm in a big way. This grant will help us recover the lost momentum of that year by helping us afford the equipment and infrastructure improvements we need to settle into our new site. Our family, employees, and hundreds of members and clients will benefit. Thank you CAFF!
West County Community Farm
West County Community FarmSebastopol

Want to support?

Help us strengthen California’s food system by contributing to a trusted, equitable model for rapid relief.

  • Over $7.8M disbursed to date
  • 65% of recipients are BIPOC or immigrant growers
  • 45+ counties reached across the state
  • 25+ grassroots partners involved in distribution
Contribute now

Why it matters

Small-scale and family farmers form the backbone of California’s local food system—but too often, they’re the last to receive support. When disaster strikes, a timely grant can mean the difference between recovery and closure. CFRF was built to respond quickly and equitably, with a process informed by the people it serves. By supporting this fund, you’re investing in resilience, equity, and the future of our food system.

Our trusted community partners:

Talk to Someone on Our Team

Arden Rosenthal is the new Farmer Support Specialist at CAFF and is leading the California Farmer Relief Fund.

She is based in Santa Cruz, CA and holds a B.A. in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems from UCSC.

She has held a number of jobs within the world of agriculture including working markets, farming on diversified crop and flower farms, and working at California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).

She is excited to help farmers access financial relief for climate-related hardships, so please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

You can reach her by emailing farmerfund@caff.org or calling 831-291-5048

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