The sum of three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for improving climate resilience and sustainability of agricultural lands.
Chapter 7Climate Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient Farms, Ranches, and Working Lands
Section § 93500
This section states that $300 million is set aside, subject to legislative approval, to enhance climate resilience and sustainability on agricultural lands.
climate resilience sustainability agricultural lands funding allocation appropriation by Legislature agriculture adaptation sustainable farming practices environmental impact weather adaptation climate change funding state budget farmland sustainability Legislative appropriation environmental funding agriculture funding
Section § 93510
Section 93510 allocates $105 million, from funds specified by another section, to the Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. This money is meant to improve the climate resilience of agricultural lands and ecosystem health.
Out of this, $65 million is designated for grants to farms and ranches to enhance soil health and boost carbon capture efforts. The remaining $40 million is set aside for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, aiming to improve water use efficiency and resilience to climate change in agricultural operations.
Additionally, the funds must support projects that offer significant benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Of the funds made available by Section 93500, one hundred five million dollars ($105,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation for improvements in climate resilience of agricultural lands and ecosystem health and allocated to eligible projects as follows:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 93510(a) Sixty-five million dollars
($65,000,000) shall be available for grants to promote practices on farms and ranches that improve soil health, or accelerate atmospheric carbon removal or soil carbon sequestration.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 93510(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) shall be available for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program to promote onfarm water use efficiency with a focus on multiple-benefit projects that improve resilience to climate change and save water on California agricultural operations.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 93510(c) Funds allocated pursuant to this section shall be allocated to projects that provide meaningful and direct benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
climate resilience agricultural lands soil health carbon sequestration water use efficiency State Water Efficiency Program environmental farming innovation socially disadvantaged farmers ecosystem health carbon removal agricultural operations grants for farms resilience to climate change onfarm water efficiency
Section § 93520
This law states that $20 million, once approved by the state legislature, will be allocated to the Department of Food and Agriculture. The funds are specifically for projects targeting invasive species, as recommended by the Invasive Species Council of California.
Priority will be given to projects that focus on restoring and protecting biodiversity and the health of ecosystems, ensuring that efforts are distributed fairly across different regions.
Of the funds made available by Section 93500, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be available to the Department of Food and Agriculture for purposes of funding invasive species projects and activities recommended by the Invasive Species Council of California. Preference shall be given to projects that restore and protect biodiversity and ecosystem health. Consideration shall be given to geographic equity.
invasive species projects Department of Food and Agriculture Invasive Species Council of California biodiversity restoration ecosystem health geographic equity legislature appropriation funding allocation environmental projects California biodiversity
Section § 93530
This California law states that $15 million can be made available to the Department of Conservation for projects that protect, restore, and enhance farmland and rangeland, aiming to improve climate resilience and other environmental benefits. This includes purchasing land titles or easements. These projects should provide multiple benefits, such as better soil health, erosion control, and water quality. The focus is on smaller farms, which will be prioritized in funding awards.
Of the funds made available by Section 93500, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Department of Conservation for projects for the protection, restoration, conservation, and enhancement of farmland and rangeland, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of fee title or easements, that improve climate resilience, open-space soil health, atmospheric carbon removal, soil carbon sequestration,
erosion control, watershed health, water quality, or water retention. Projects shall provide multiple benefits. In awarding funds for farmland and rangeland projects pursuant to this section, the Department of Conservation shall give preference to projects for small- and medium-sized farms.
farmland conservation rangeland restoration climate resilience soil health improvement atmospheric carbon removal soil carbon sequestration erosion control watershed health water quality enhancement water retention projects small farm support medium-sized farms land acquisition funding preference Department of Conservation grants
Section § 93540
This law allocates $90 million, as authorized by another section, to support various agricultural initiatives through the Department of Food and Agriculture in California, targeting small and medium farms, socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers, and veteran farmers, while fostering market access and sustainable infrastructure.
The funds are distributed as follows: $20 million for infrastructure supporting mobile farmers' markets; another $20 million to develop year-round market infrastructure, including facilities for food prep and transaction processing; $20 million for urban agriculture projects like community gardens; $15 million for regional farm equipment sharing, prioritizing small to medium farms; and $15 million for tribal food sovereignty projects, such as irrigation and food processing infrastructure.
Of the funds made available by Section 93500, ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Department of Food and Agriculture for grants that benefit small- and medium-sized farms, socially disadvantaged farmers, beginning farmers or ranchers, and veteran farmers or ranchers, and increase the sustainability of agricultural infrastructure and facilities that support food systems, and increase market access.
Funding made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(a) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available for infrastructure related to certified mobile farmers’ markets, including, but not limited to, a mobile farmers’ market vehicle, refrigeration, and other equipment to comply with relevant sections of the Health and Safety Code and related regulations.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(b) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to develop year-round infrastructure for certified farmers’ markets, as defined in Section 47004 of the Food and Agricultural Code, fishermen’s markets, as defined in Section 113780 of the Health and Safety Code, or tribe-operated or native-serving farmers’ markets, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(b)(1) All-weather infrastructure such as canopies and
shade structures, tables and seating, market stalls, restrooms and hand wash stations, tent weights and tie-downs, produce washing stations, barricades and bollards for traffic management and pedestrian safety, bicycle parking racks, and other equipment.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(b)(2) Facilities for food preparation, cooking demonstrations, and other nutrition education.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(b)(3) Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for market managers and producers to process CalFresh transactions.
(4)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(b)(4) Wireless electronic benefits transfer point-of-sale terminals for producers to accept the electronic cash value benefit through the program designed to implement the federal WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-314) pursuant to Section 123279 of the Health and Safety Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(5)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(b)(5) Other equipment to support the seniors farmers’ market nutrition program, as described in Section 3007 of Title 7 of the United States Code, or equivalent tribal programs.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(c) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available for urban agriculture projects that create or expand city or suburban community farms or gardens, including community food producers, as defined in Section 113752 of the Health and Safety Code, through in-ground small plot cultivation, raised beds, mushroom growing, rooftop farms, and cultivation of vacant lots and in parks.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(d) Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available for grants for regional farm equipment sharing. Preference shall be given to projects and programs that benefit small- and medium-sized farms and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(e) Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available to advance tribes’ food sovereignty to grow, produce, procure, and distribute foods that reflect Native American culture and traditions and support the development of tribal producers and vendors, including, but not limited to, the following projects:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(e)(1) Irrigation and water infrastructure.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(e)(2) Utility and power infrastructure.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 93540(e)(3) Food processing infrastructure.
small farms grants medium-sized farms socially disadvantaged farmers veteran farmers agricultural infrastructure food systems sustainability mobile farmers markets certified farmers markets fishermen's markets tribe-operated farmers markets urban agriculture projects community food producers regional farm equipment sharing tribal food sovereignty Native American food systems
Section § 93550
This law allocates $30 million for the Department of Conservation to help socially disadvantaged and new farmers obtain land in California. The funds may be used to make low-interest loans to qualified organizations like land trusts and non-profits. These organizations can use the loans to buy agricultural land, which they will then lease or sell to these farmers. Any land bought must have a conservation easement to protect its agricultural use, and there may be additional restrictions to ensure affordability and other benefits. The money from selling these lands in the future must be reused for similar purposes.
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 93550(a) Of the funds made available by Section 93500, thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Department of Conservation, in consultation with the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force at the Strategic Growth Council, to improve land access and tenure for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, tribal producers, and beginning farmers and ranchers.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 93550(b) The Department of Conservation may make low-interest loans to qualified entities, which shall include land trusts, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, farmer cooperatives, tribal governments, or tribal entities, for the purpose of acquiring agricultural lands to transfer or provide long-term leases to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and beginning farmers and ranchers.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 93550(c) Any agricultural land acquired pursuant to this section shall be required to have an agricultural land conservation easement before being leased or transferred, and the department may require additional appropriate resale restrictions, such as affordability provisions, preemptive purchase right, or shared appreciation consistent with the purposes of this subdivision.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 93550(d) The Department of Conservation shall ensure that the proceeds
of future resales of land continue to be used for purposes of this chapter.
socially disadvantaged farmers beginning farmers agricultural land access conservation easement land trusts nonprofit organizations low-interest loans tribal producers land acquisition affordability provisions long-term leases strategic land use California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force Department of Conservation ranchers land access
Section § 93560
This law section states that $15 million from certain funds will be allocated to the California Vanpool Authority. This money is for grants to help provide vanpool vehicles, and clean technology options like charging and alternative fuel infrastructure. The goal is to support low-income agricultural workers with better transportation options.
Of the funds made available by Section 93500, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the California Vanpool Authority for grants for the deployment of vanpool vehicles, clean technologies, and related facilities, including, but not limited to, charging and alternative fuel infrastructure, for use by low-income agricultural workers.
California Vanpool Authority vanpool vehicles low-income agricultural workers clean technologies charging infrastructure alternative fuel infrastructure grants transportation for agricultural workers fund allocation energy-efficient transportation Legislature appropriation
Section § 93570
This law states that from certain available funds, $15 million will be given to the State Department of Education, if approved by the Legislature. These funds are to be used for grants aimed at public colleges or universities recognized as Agricultural Experiment Stations or Agricultural Research Institutes. The goal is to create research farms that enhance climate resiliency. Each institution can receive up to $1 million, and the farms must use environmentally friendly building and maintenance practices.
Of the funds made available by Section 93500, fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the State Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, for purposes of providing grants to public postsecondary educational institutions that are designated as Agricultural Experiment Stations or Agricultural Research Institutes, to develop research farms to improve climate
resiliency. Funding provided pursuant to this section shall not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) per institution and shall be constructed and maintained with environmentally sustainable infrastructure practices.
climate resiliency research agricultural experiment stations agricultural research institutes grant funding research farms environmentally sustainable infrastructure public postsecondary educational institutions State Department of Education grants Legislature appropriation Department of Food and Agriculture consultation climate change adaptation sustainable agriculture practices funding limits agricultural education funding green infrastructure development
Section § 93580
This law section allocates $10 million, once approved by the Legislature, for improving the energy efficiency of farmworker housing. The money is part of the Low-Income Weatherization Program and is aimed at helping low-income farmworker households. The upgrades, provided at no cost, are meant to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These improvements could include new insulation, better heating and cooling systems, upgraded lighting, and new windows.
Of the funds made available by Section 93500, ten million dollars ($10,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as part of the Farmworker Housing Component of the Low-Income Weatherization Program through the Department of Community Services and Development, to low-income farmworker households for no-cost energy efficiency upgrades designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy. These energy efficiency upgrades shall include,
but are not limited to, insulation, central heating and cooling system upgrades, lighting upgrades, and window replacement.
low-income weatherization program farmworker housing energy efficiency upgrades greenhouse gas emissions reduction insulation heating system upgrades cooling system upgrades lighting upgrades window replacement Department of Community Services and Development legislative appropriation no-cost energy improvements low-income farmworker households
Section § 93590
This section of the law provides definitions for 'beginning farmer or rancher' and 'veteran farmer or rancher.' A 'beginning farmer or rancher' is someone who has not managed a farm or ranch for more than five years. A 'veteran farmer or rancher' is a person who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, is a recognized veteran, and has either not run a farm or ranch before or has done so for no more than five years. Additionally, the veteran status should have been obtained within the last five years and complies with certain federal definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(a) “Beginning farmer or rancher” means a farmer or rancher who has not actively operated and managed a farm or ranch with a bona fide insurable interest in a crop or livestock as an owner-operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper for more than five crop years, as determined by the United States Secretary of Agriculture and as defined in
Section 1502 of Title 7 of the United States Code.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(b) “Veteran farmer or rancher” means a farmer or rancher who is all of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(b)(1) Has served in the United States Armed Forces, as defined in Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(b)(2) Meets either of the following:
(A)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(b)(2)(A) Has not operated a farm or ranch.
(B)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(b)(2)(B) Has operated a farm or ranch for not more than five years.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(b)(3) Is a veteran, as defined in Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code, who first obtained status as a veteran during the most recent five-year period.
(4)CA Public Resources Code § 93590(b)(4) Is a
beginning veteran farmer or rancher, as that term is used in Section 1502 of Title 7 of the United States Code.
beginning farmer definition veteran farmer definition new farmer criteria agriculture experience veteran agricultural program beginner rancher qualifications veteran status agriculture United States Armed Forces farming experience limit agricultural eligibility United States Code Section 1502 farming and ranching criteria federal agricultural definitions veterans in agriculture military service and farming
Section § 93600
This law section states that any projects receiving funding must align with the policies and guidelines set by the Department of Food and Agriculture and, if relevant, the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.
Projects funded pursuant to this chapter shall be consistent with the policies and guidelines established by the Department of Food and Agriculture and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, if applicable.
project funding guidelines Department of Food and Agriculture Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy policy consistency agricultural project compliance climate strategy alignment funded project requirements environmental guidelines agriculture policies land use strategy sustainable agriculture climate smart agriculture project regulations natural lands policies funding criteria
