CAFF’s blog (with posts by farmers, members of our Board of Directors, CAFF staff, and other agricultural advocates) includes action alerts, farming resources, policy news and updates, event information, CAFF press releases, and other food and farming topics.

CAFF Statement on Escalating ICE Raids & Constitutional Violations
Community Alliance with Family Farmers condemns the disturbing overreach of federal immigration enforcement and the pattern of raids, intimidation, and constitutional violations playing out across the country. The use of racial profiling, masked agents, and force against civilians—often without clear

How to Tell the Story of Your Farm: Lessons from Fruitqueen & Farmboy Organics
“How to Tell the Story of Your Farm” in-person workshop & panel discussion with Brian and Joyce of Fruitqueen and Eric and Andrew of Farmboy Organics. Facilitated by Judith Redmond (Full Belly Farm) and Gisele Herren (Vitis & Ovis Farm),

Final Newsom Budget Backs Food and Climate Goals, but Small Farmers Need More Support
Dulce Organic Farms – Photo by Lan Ngo Sacramento, CA -— Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom released his final annual state budget proposal. The state budget continues to invest in California’s agricultural sector, recognizing it as a foundational part of

Celebrating Big Wins for Small Farms under Newsom Administration
Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images file After yesterday’s final State of the State by Governor Newsom, we are reflecting on the small farm successes during the Newsom Administration. Here is a look at some wins for

Tera Farm: Helping Kids and Communities Learn Where Food Comes From
In 2020, as the pandemic disrupted daily life and food systems across California, Sheena did not plan on starting a nonprofit. What began as helping friends sell kale during a time of uncertainty slowly grew into what is now Tera

Family farmers reflect on tough 2025, set hopeful eyes on 2026
Don’t take our word for it. Listen to farmers, educators & leaders from the CAFF community. From every corner of California, they’re working with us to restore soil, conserve water, feed communities, and fight to keep family-scale farming alive.

Grazing Sheep in California Vineyards
This best management practices guide has been developed to facilitate integrating sheep into vineyard systems in California.

Gov Newsom’s Veto Tells CA Small Farmers to Wait Again for Land Access, Ignoring Will of Voters
Governor Newsom’s veto of Assembly Bill 524, the Farmland Access & Conservation for Thriving Communities Act (FACT CA), authored by Assemblywoman Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), is a profound setback for California’s agricultural future and a disconnect from the will of

Amid disastrous federal cuts, small farms make progress in California Legislature
By: CAFF Policy Team Every year, the California legislative process brings its ups and downs, but this year has felt especially hard as a result of the crushing decisions made by the Trump Administration, putting additional pressure on state-level decisions;

Farmer Spotlight: Sweet Girl Farms
If you’ve ever driven through Reedley, chances are you’ve seen the vibrant blooms and colorful produce stand that belongs to Sweet Girl Farms. Behind it all is Liset Garcia, a farmer who blends her cultural roots, creativity, and passion for

Understanding Yolo County’s New Well Moratorium
UPDATED NOV 12TH, 2025: On October 7, 2025, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the agricultural well moratorium in the Focus Area for up to 10 months and 15 days, which leaves it in place until August

Join us the Terra Madre festival in Sacramento Sept 25-28
Later this month, good food system champions from across the globe will gather in Sacramento as part of the inaugural Terra Madres Americas summit. Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) will participate in the FREE festivities — and we hope

Sharing Tools for Success: Small Organic Farmer Marketing Toolkit Workshop in Riverside
On the evening of Wednesday, July 16 at 4:00 PM, approximately 55 participants gathered in a classroom space at the beautiful campus of the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District, just West of downtown Riverside. The focus of the event was to

Rooted in Community: Tina Marie Brings Farming Back to the City
When you visit Soulful Soil Farms in the Inland Empire, you can immediately feel the history, healing, and community that Tina Marie has planted in every garden bed. Based in Southern California, Tina’s work shows how farming can thrive even

Join the #ImmigrantsMakeAgricultureGreat Video Campaign
This Labor Day, let’s celebrate the essential role of immigrants in agriculture—not only as workers, but as neighbors, leaders, and vital members of our farming communities. From planting seeds to building businesses, immigrants nourish both our fields and our communities.

Food Safety Technical Assistance for Small-Scale and BIPOC Farmers: Lessons from CAFF’s Partner Farm Program
CAFF’s Farmer Services Program has worked with hundreds of farmers over the years to provide food safety technical assistance. We help farmers navigate complicated state and federal food safety regulations and determine what steps they need to take to get

California Must Lead—Call Today to Protect Climate & Farmers
With the federal government slashing sustainable agriculture funding and reversing hard-won progress, California’s climate leadership is on the line. Two critical opportunities are in play right now—but without a wave of public pressure, they could slip away. We need your voice to make sure our California legislature delivers for farmers, frontline communities, and our climate. Your call today could make the difference.

July Farmer Spotlight: Angelica Estrada of Sweet Valley Produce
In the heart of the Central Valley, Angelica Estrada is carving out space for something different. Something rooted in legacy, resilience, and reinvention. As the founder of Sweet Valley Produce in Merced, Angelica is growing more than just sweet potatoes.

Know Your Water, Know Your Use
On a sunny and cool June afternoon, an eager group of 40+ people made up of local Sonoma County farmers and local agricultural organization representatives gathered at an orchard site for the workshop “From Ground to Field: Know Your Water,

CAFF Strongly Opposes Reckless Budget Bill That Threatens Farmers, Families & Our Food System
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), in solidarity with our partners at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), stands in firm opposition to the partisan budget reconciliation bill in Congress. This so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is a reckless piece of

The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 1
The Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project has brought together growers, scientists, farm advisors, and pest control advisors with the goal of implementing farm practices to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. In this episode we head down to the Northern

Sweet Roots Kitchen Opens in Merced: A New Hub for Local Farmers and Food Entrepreneurs
On Friday, June 6th at 12:30 PM, the Merced community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Sweet Roots Kitchen, a brand-new commercial kitchen created by Sweet Valley Produce, a local business owned by Angelica Estrada. This transformative space is

CAFF Stand’s with California’s Immigrant Community
CAFF is heartbroken by escalating ICE raids across California targeting our farms, homes, schools, community centers, and places of work. These tactics, growing more militarized by the day, are tearing at the fabric of California and threatening our national food

Reflect. Empower. Unite. – A Pride Month Spotlight on Solarpunk Farms
This Pride Month, CAFF is honored to spotlight Solar Punk Farms, a queer-led climate hub nestled in Sonoma County. Founded by a pair of husbands, Nick Schwanz and Spencer Scott who began their journey in climate work—but not yet on

Together, We Can Empower Thriving Local Food Systems
CAFF remains unwavering in our core values—because we trust that the advocates who work alongside us will do the same. Now, we are asking you to take action. Will you make a gift today and join us in this vital work?

Sowing Solutions on Pollinator Health and Tree Squirrel Management: Insights from Boone Orchards Field Day in Capay, CA
On April 10, 2025, growers, beekeepers, and agricultural experts gathered in Capay, California in Glenn Co., for a thought-provoking field day hosted by Boone Orchards. The event brought together passionate voices from the farming and pollination industries to address the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture today.

On-Farm Recordkeeping: Technologies & Strategies
Learn the benefits of keeping good records on your farm and how to level-up your recordkeeping practices!
Record keeping is beneficial for three major compliance areas: FSMA compliance, organic certification, and GAP audits.

Governor’s May Revise Falls Short for California’s Farming Communities
Last week, Governor Newsom released his May Revision for FY 25-26; the Legislature now has until June 15 to negotiate and pass a final budget bill for his approval. While the Governor’s May Revision proposal maintains the Proposition 4/Climate Bond funding, including critical food and agriculture investments, it fails to center California’s most vulnerable communities in the state’s budget priorities.

New grower guide, Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments, now available!
CAFF is excited to release a new grower guide, Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments. Created by CAFF’s Ecological Farming team and Sustainable Conservation with contributions from UC ANR, NRCS and other partners, this guide outlines practical management considerations

Reamer Farms Field Day: Increasing Natural Enemies of Spider Mites in Vineyards through Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
On the 24th of April, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) gathered in Clarksburg, CA for a field day hosted at Reamer Farms. This event focused on integrated pest management (IPM) approaches of increasing natural enemies of spider mites

A look back at our Yolo County Groundwater Workshop!
Here’s a quick recap of our Yolo Groundwater Workshop, featuring valuable updates, stories from local farmers, and practical ideas for sustaining our groundwater resources.

Machado Family Farms Field Day: Interactions Between Cover Cropping and Integrated Grazing in Walnuts
On the 27th of March, the Community Alliance With Family Farmers (CAFF) held a field day with Machado Family Farms in Linden, CA. This event focused on sharing the story that led to the success of integrating sheep for grazing
Sonoma County – Know Your Groundwater
So far the rains have been good, but regional groundwater levels are still in decline. Are you and your farm ready to weather that and the current SGMA regulations (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) unfolding in your area? Some basics to

Support AB 524 (Farmland Access & Conservation for Thriving Communities)
Show your support for land access! Sign CAFF’s letter of support to help pass this bill. (The deadline for signing is April 22nd.) Click Here to Sign To date, there is no state-level program dedicated to providing financial or technical

Small Farmers Lead the Way in Innovation: 5th Annual Small Farm Innovation Challenge Winners Announced
Proving that innovation thrives on a small scale, the winners of the 5th Annual Small Farm Innovation Challenge have introduced groundbreaking solutions to address critical challenges in small-scale agriculture. Hosted by the nonprofit Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), this

What’s Next for Farms Together and Local Food for Hungry Families?
March started off as a rollercoaster ride when news broke that Farms Together—our program delivering food sourced from local farmers to food insecure communities across California—had been paused indefinitely. Seven days later, after many farmers raised alarm bells across California and the U.S., the program was restored. Despite the significant victory, the program’s future remains uncertain.

The Legacy of Black Farmers: Overcoming Challenges & Cultivating Community
Agriculture has long been a foundation of Black history in America, yet Black farmers continue to face significant challenges in accessing land, resources, and financial support. Despite these obstacles, their resilience, passion, and strong sense of community have allowed them

Kit de herramientas de marketing orgánico para agricultores de pequeña escala
¿Quiere hacer crecer su negocio orgánico y conectarse con más clientes? El kit de herramientas de marketing para productores orgánicos de California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) es su recurso de referencia para destacarse en el mercado orgánico competitivo. Diseñado específicamente

Federal Funding Freeze Jeopardizes Small Farms, Prevents Local Food from Reaching Families in Need
Federal Funding Freeze Jeopardizes Small Farms, Prevents Millions of lbs of Local Food from Reaching Families in Need ACTION ALERT: CALL CONGRESS TODAY! Without warning or explanation, the federal government has frozen funding for Farms Together, a vital California-based program that

Organic Small Farmer Marketing Toolkit
Para español: Kit de herramientas de marketing orgánico para agricultores de pequeña escala Looking to grow your organic business and connect with more customers? The Organic Producer Marketing Toolkit from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) is your go-to resource for

Small Organic Farmer Marketing Toolkit provides marketing strategies for underserved organic producers
(Santa Cruz, CA, January 22, 2025) – California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) released a comprehensive Small Organic Farmer Marketing Toolkit for small-scale and underserved organic producers. The toolkit, available in English and Spanish, provides actionable strategies for farmers to improve

State’s Proposed Budget and Climate Bond Commitments Support Programs for Family Farms
Sacramento, CA — Today California Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2025-26 state budget proposal, which demonstrates the important opportunities made possible by the recently passed Proposition 4 Climate Bond. This budget comes amidst wildfires raging in Southern California, impacting so

4th Annual Small Farm Tech Expo: Empowering Small-Scale Farmers with Innovation
https://youtu.be/JEf-vvTN0NM The Small Farm Tech Expo once again delivered an engaging and transformative event, bringing together innovators, researchers, and farmers to explore technology solutions tailored specifically for small-scale farming. Event Highlights Exhibition Hall The heart of the expo was the

Financial Assistance Available for Food Safety Certification
A new program through USDA’s Farm Service Agency is providing reimbursement for on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2024 and/or 2025. How does it work? In 2024 and 2025, the program

Introducing the 2025 California Farm Champions!
Every year, our community honors individuals, farms, and businesses who are making a positive difference in California. Selected from nominations from all over the state, these inspirational change-makers are blazing trails for regenerative agriculture, strengthening our local food systems, and

Family Farmer Emergency Fund to Offer Climate Extremes Relief in 2025
After another year of providing drought relief grants to small farmers across California, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is launching a new financial relief program for farmers impacted by climate extremes, which will open for applications in spring of

Meet the 2026 California Farm Champions
From farmers to food system advocates, the California Farm Champion Awards honor everyday heroes and movement leaders forging a stronger local food economy. These champions are advancing food justice, empowering a new generation of agrarians, and shaping a more resilient

Meet CAFF’s new Groundwater Community Engagement Team
To support our outreach to family farmers about changes in California’s groundwater, CAFF is excited to be working with seven Groundwater Community Engagement Contractors around the state. Each contractor has deep ties to the communities in which they work, many

California Farmers, Farmworkers & Food System Advocates: Standing Together in Uncertain Times
In the wake of this week’s election, we at Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) know that our country and California’s agricultural community now face a period of uncertainty. Federal programs and agencies that support our farmers, particularly small-scale and

Vitis and Ovis Farm Tour and Discussion: Adaptation to Climate Extremes in the Capay Valley
On September 19th, Community Alliance with Family Farmers held a field day at Vitis and Ovis farm in Capay Valley, CA. The event consisted of a tour through the biologically diverse farm and wrapped up with a discussion focused on