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

Over ten years ago, Javier Zamora embarked on the journey of his organic berry farm, starting with just an acre and a half in Monterey County, located along California’s central coastline. Today, he oversees the cultivation of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, alongside various vegetables and flowers, spanning more than 100 acres. Recently, he participated in a farmer’s market organized by a school in San Jose, primarily serving a Hispanic community.

At this market, Zamora discovered that he was not merely providing fresh produce; he was also introducing students to fruits and vegetables they had never tasted before.

“They often don’t encounter brussels sprouts or purple potatoes. They’ve definitely never experienced a Mara des Bois French strawberry or a golden raspberry,” Zamora shared. “It feels incredibly rewarding to connect with those individuals.”

Building relationships with communities beyond his farming operations matters greatly to Zamora, who hails from a family of farmers in Mexico. This endeavor became much more feasible after he acquired a refrigerated van, aided by a $150,000 grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This investment enables him to deliver his produce to clients as far north as Sacramento, including school districts located three hours away.

<p“Having the van for two years has been fantastic. It’s a wonderful vehicle that drives smoothly,” he remarked about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. “We can now deliver up to 400 cases of strawberries, which is quite impressive.”

A recent study indicates the effectiveness of the Farm to School grant program, initiated in 2021, in its support of small, mid-sized, and socially or economically disadvantaged farmers. The program accepts applications from farmers, schools, childcare facilities, and organizations committed to aiding local food procurement and food education in schools. Its goal is to bolster local producers while providing fresh, sustainably sourced produce to students throughout California.

This initiative showcases how some states continue to support farmers amid increasing federal budget cuts.

In 2022, an independent research team from UC Berkeley, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and various other entities assessed the grant program’s alignment with the state’s roadmap aimed at creating a more equitable and sustainable regional food system. The roadmap initially aimed to direct 25 percent of funding in 2022 and 40 percent in 2024 to small and mid-sized farmers historically marginalized within the food system.

The report reveals that the program exceeded expectations: All grant funding for the prior year (100 percent) was allocated to these targeted farmers, a rise from 84 percent in 2022.

Another objective of the Farm to School grant program is to encourage and support farmers in adopting climate-smart methodologies, such as cover cropping, which enhances soil stability and chemistry while improving carbon storage. However, the grant program’s results in this area appear mixed: the evaluation team found that much of the funding from CDFA has not benefited farmers trying climate-smart techniques for the first time. Instead, it supports growers already practicing these methods, according to contributor Beth Katz.

Katz expresses interest in how the grant program might better assist farmers beginning their journey into climate-smart agriculture. However, she acknowledges the environmental advantages of supporting current practitioners. With small farms across California and the nation facing financial challenges amidst federal program cuts, she feels that state funding is crucial for enabling these farmers to sustain their operations and continue implementing sustainable practices, as emphasized by Katz, also the director of Food Insights Group, a food systems research organization.

For Zamora, acquiring the refrigeration van, which cost approximately $100,000, was only feasible thanks to support from CDFA. “Many farmers can’t easily afford such expenses, making these grants an invaluable asset for us,” he noted. He plans to apply for additional funding during the next grant cycle, potentially for more vans, a walk-in cooler, or other essential infrastructure.

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California’s advancements highlight how states can support farmers who relied on federal programs for purchasing local food—programs that have faced closures or budget cuts during the Trump administration. Amid the federal government shutdown, initiated Wednesday, American farmers are increasingly feeling financial strain. This year has seen a mixed outcome for agricultural stakeholders due to the ongoing trade conflicts incited by the president, pushing farmers to seek new markets for their crops.

Accessing essential public services has become more difficult as congressional disputes continue, exacerbating financial pressures on farmers. For example, the Farm Service Agency—a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture—provides essential services such as farm loans, disaster assistance, and conservation initiatives; however, it closed branches nationwide when the department furloughed a significant portion of its employees. As frustrations between Republicans and Democrats escalate over a lack of funding agreement, the threat of layoffs or permanent budget cuts looms unless a resolution is reached swiftly.

State programs, akin to California’s, can alleviate some financial concerns faced by farmers amid prolonged funding debates. “The importance of these initiatives cannot be overstated,” Katz asserted. “Investments made by California in school meal programs and food systems infrastructure serve as a buffer for both farmers and consumers during these times.”

The farm to school grant program has effectively enhanced access to local food for schools situated in remote areas by collaborating with organizations such as food hubs.

At Julian Union School District in San Diego County, establishing a partnership with local farmers would have previously necessitated lengthy drives. According to Mati Moon, the garden education coordinator at Julian Pathways—a nonprofit offering services to Julian Union—it was a challenge given the district’s previous reliance on a USDA farm to school grant. The rural setting made it arduous to connect directly with farming partners, noted Moon.

However, collaboration with CDFA has proven more fruitful. Moon secured a Farm to School grant on behalf of Julian Pathways, supporting the nutrition program for the district. After receiving funding, her contact at CDFA suggested reaching out to a local food hub distributing fresh produce across San Diego County. By initiating a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, she enlisted about 75 families to receive produce from the hub, resulting in regular deliveries to the Julian area that support the nutrition initiative, Moon explained.

Forming a partnership with a food hub that once deemed Julian too distant to serve has significantly benefited the community. “Integrating into this network allows schools and businesses to access various produce throughout the county in a more efficient and cost-effective manner, transforming our operations,” said Moon.

Zamora aspires to establish his own food hub eventually, supporting other farmers aiming to market their products locally. He has noted a loss of several clients due to the dwindling USDA funds previously utilized. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about the future of his business and encourages his peers to leverage grant programs like those offered by CDFA as they navigate the challenges of maintaining viability. “In my case, the grants I’ve applied for have been nothing short of a blessing,” Zamora stated.