The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) has partnered with The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer the Drought Relief Grants, which will be reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of the drought
Donor Name: California Department of Food and Agriculture
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/15/2023
Size of the Grant: $1,000 – $20,000
Details:
With the ongoing drought crisis in California, farmers face increased costs ranging from higher water and energy bills, to installing new equipment. This is especially difficult for smaller farms, and farmers from BIPOC, immigrant, and other socially-disadvantaged farmers & ranchers. These farmers often fall through the cracks of traditional government aid so CARCD with funding from CDFA is stepping in to offer direct financial support to farmers who have experienced losses due to drought.
These direct grants will assist small-scale and historically underserved producers to apply for relief grants for those most in need of immediate drought assistance. Producers will apply for the funds through local partner organizations.
Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to: Drilling of new wells or repairs on existing wells if sole source of water for operation. To be eligible, an applicant must provide written verification from a Groundwater Sustainability Agency managing the basin or area of the basin where the well is located or proposed to be located approving the action, per Executive Order N-7-22. Increased electric utility bills of 50% or more due to increased electricity rates Surface water costs if increase from year prior Cost of hauling water for livestock Lowering ag well pumps if a primary source of water is lost Emergency upgrades to irrigation system (paired with conservation) if not covered through CDFA OEFI programs or USDA programs and for other emergency scenarios. Decreased crop yields/crop loss due to less water available or having to fallow land.
Funding Information
This grant provides for award amounts of $1,000 – $20,000 per farmer.
Eligibility Criteria
- Family farmers who are actively working the land, derive a portion of their income from their own farm business, and are involved in day-to-day operations on the farm Farmers whose operations make a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $400,000 in gross sales annually (If you are a new farmer, or have another limitation, and cannot claim at least $10K in farm-based income, please include in your application a rationale for consideration.) Because of systems of historic oppression, the most vulnerable populations will bear the brunt of the impact of this crisis. For this reason, at least 50% of all grant funds will be awarded to farmers of color, immigrant farmers, and undocumented farmers.
For more information, visit CARCD.
