Program areas at CAFF
Caff continued to suppot Farmers impacted by climate related disasters through our California Family farmer emergency fund. In response to farmer needs, we expanded our work on sustainable groundwater management. We conducted our annual farmer listening session in the fall of 2023. This outreach and listening to Farmers formed the foundation of our 2024 policy priorities, which include drought and water, small farmer infrastructure, and land access. We develop our biologically integrated orchard systems project and supported Farmers with health soils technical assistance. We shifted nearly $1m in local purchasing to support small scale and historically underserved Farmers through our farm to market program. We provide technical assistance to hundreds of Farmers through our food safety and small farm tech hub work and have expanded to include organic transition assistance.
Ecological Farming (formerly Cliimate Smart)We work with farmers, policy makers, researchers, and local technical assistance providers to promote, improve, and better understand the adooption of ecological farming throughout California. CAFF's California Agricultural Water Stewardship Program (CA WSI) teaches growers how to use water more sustainably, while other programs emphasize integrated pest management, on-farm diversity, and building hedgerows. In 2020, we partnered with 20 farms to conduct on-farm trials and demonstrations, hosted six workshops, and helped farms implement ecological farming practices on over 350 acres. CAFF also shared two new resources for growers: our "Cover Crop Decision Guide for Perennial Systems and "Cover Crop Decision Guide for Annual Systems created in collaboration with the Freshwater Trust. These practical guides are designed to walk farmers through the process of selecting the right cover crop mix for your farm, from addressing issues such as soil compaction and pests, to providing benefits like adding nitrogen and attracting pollinators.
Farmer ServicesIn 2022, we provided direct technical support to hundreds of farmers across California with services: through launching our new Tech Hub (which supports small family farms and food enterprises in adopting technology-based solutions for their direct marketing challenges) and out ongoing work in our food safety program that helps growers provide healthy and safe produce to their markets through workshops, webinars, online resources and more. Our 2020 webinars covered Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) inspection updates and FAQs and on-farm food safety during COVID-19, with everything from employees to post-harvest to equipment. Partners included Full Belly Farm, California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Policy and AdvocacyCAFF has been advocating for family farmers in the California legislature since 1978. We continue that work today by focusing on state and federal policies, defending the rights of family farmers, as well as educating them about new policies that affect their farms. CAFF is a strong advocate for family-scale agriculture that cares for the land, sustains local economics, and promotes social justice. Each year, CAFF surveys hundreds of farmers and agricultural advocates and then our Policy Committee weighs in on California legislation, lending our support to bills that promote our mission and our members, opposing those that threaten them, and sponsoring bills to give family farmers and sustainable agriculture a better chance to succeed.
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