Small farmers are more squeezed than ever. A California grant program offers a lifeline.

Grist
Grist
3M ago
Javier Zamora's organic farm expanded significantly thanks to a California grant program, which supports small farmers and enhances local food access. This initiative is crucial as federal funding cuts threaten agricultural sustainability.
Small farmers are more squeezed than ever. A California grant program offers a lifeline.
A What happened
Javier Zamora, an organic farmer in California, has significantly expanded his farm from 1.5 acres to over 100 acres, thanks in part to a $150,000 grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This funding has enabled him to purchase a refrigerated van, allowing him to deliver fresh produce to schools as far away as Sacramento. The farm-to-school grant program, initiated in 2021, aims to support small and mid-sized farmers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, while enhancing local food access in schools. A recent evaluation revealed that the program has successfully allocated 100% of its funding to these prioritized farmers, exceeding its initial goals. However, the program's impact on promoting climate-smart agricultural practices has been mixed, as most funds have gone to farmers already implementing such practices. Zamora hopes to continue benefiting from this program to further develop his farm and support local food systems.

Key insights

  • 1

    Support for Small Farmers: The grant program has successfully allocated all funding to small and disadvantaged farmers.

  • 2

    Impact on Local Food Access: The initiative enhances access to fresh produce in schools, particularly in underserved areas.

  • 3

    Challenges in Climate Practices: Most funding has gone to farmers already using climate-smart practices, limiting support for newcomers.

Takeaways

The California farm-to-school grant program exemplifies how state initiatives can effectively support small farmers and improve food access in schools, especially amid federal funding challenges. Continued investment in such programs is essential for fostering sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring food security.

Topics

Lifestyle Food Climate & Environment Agriculture Business & Markets Economy

Stay ahead with OwlBrief

Daily briefs that distill the world’s important events — clear, verified, and designed for understanding.

Newsletter

Get OwlBrief in your inbox

A fast, high-signal digest of the day’s most important events — plus the context that makes them make sense.

Quick to read. Useful all day.