# California Underserved and Small Producer Program The California Underserved and Small Producers Program (CUSP) is designed to facilitate support for small and medium scale California agricultural producers, or small and medium scale socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through direct relief grants. Direct Assistance Providers act as administrators of the CUSP Direct Relief Grant Program and distribute relief grants to aid in addressing specific financial needs due to drought, extreme weather, and other climate impacts in California. Direct relief producer grants are available through partnering organizations, and available on a rolling basis. The CUSP program also funds Technical Assistance (TA) providers to assist farmers and ranchers with applications to the Drought or Extreme Weather & Other Climate Impacts Relief programs. TA providers may also offer assistance with federal and state economic and disaster relief programs, farm business management, financial planning and marketing assistance to individual agricultural producers as tools to mitigate immediate concerns and needs related to drought and extreme weather. ### New! **CDFA ANNOUNCES Awards for $17 million for Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts Relief and an additional $5 million for Drought Relief through the CUSP program.** The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Grants Administration announces that it is awarding $17 million in grants to six Direct Assistance Providers throughout the state via the 2024 CUSP Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts direct relief program. An additional $5 million has also been awarded to four providers via the 2023 CUSP Drought direct relief program. CUSP Direct Assistance Providers will distribute direct relief producer grants for both the Drought and Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts programs on a rolling basis throughout the two-year grant period. Four of the providers will also provide Technical Assistance (TA) to assist producers with direct relief applications. The start date for these projects is January 2024 and they will continue through December 2026. ### Who is eligible for direct relief grants? Direct Relief Recipients are made up of the following: - Small and medium scale California agricultural producers. “Small and medium scale” California producers are defined by this program as any farmer making up to $400,000 or any dairy operation making up to $1,000,000 in annual gross sales. - Small and medium scale socially disadvantaged California farmers and ranchers. “Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” means a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. “Socially disadvantaged group” means a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. These groups include all of the following: (1) African Americans, (2) Native American Indians, (3) Alaskan Natives, (4) Hispanics, (5) Asian Americans, and (6) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. - Eligible producers may receive up to $20,000 in CUSP Drought Relief funds as well as up to $20,000 in CUSP Extreme Weather Relief funds (for a total of up to $40,000) within a 12-month period. ### Direct Relief Producer Grants Application Periods | CUSP Direct Assistance Provider | Application Dates | Link to Applications | | --- | --- | --- | | AsianBusiness Institute and Resource Center (ABIRC) | Extreme Weather Relief
Round 1: 3/1/2025 – 5/31/2025

Round 2: 8/1/2025 - 10/31/2025
Round 3: 2/1/2026 - 4/30/2026
Round 4: 7/1/2026 - 9/30/2026
Drought Relief
Round 1: 3/1/2025 – 5/31/2025
Round 1: 2/1/2025 - 4/31/2025
Round 2: 8/1/2025 - 11/15/2025
Round 3: 3/1/2026 - 6/15/2026 | [Fresno ABIRC](https://www.fresnoabirc.org/) | | Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) | Extreme Weather Relief
Round 1: 3/1/2025 – 4/1/2025
Drought Relief
Round 1: 9/1/2025 – 10/15/2025 | [CAFF](https://caff.org/cafamilyfarmeremergencyfund/) | | California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation | Drought and Extreme Weather Relief
Round 1: 1/6/2025 - 3/28/2025
Round 2: 4/7/2025 - 6/27/2025
Round 3: 7/7/2025 - 9/26/2025
Round 4: 10/6/2025 - 12/19/2025 | [CCOF Organic](https://www.ccof.org/foundation/grants-education/hardship-assistance-fund/) | | East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District | Drought Relief
Round 1: 1/1/2025 – 3/31/2025
Round 2: 4/1/2025 – 6/30/2025 | | | Inland Empire Resource Conservation District | Drought and Extreme Weather Relief
Round 1: 2/15/2025 – 3/31/2025
Round 2: 4/1/2025 – 5/31/2025
Round 3: 6/1/2025 – 7/31/2025
Round 4: 8/1/2025 – 9/30/2025
Round 5: 10/1/2025 – 11/31/2025 | [IERCD CUSP Program](https://www.iercd.org/cusp-program) | | Sierra Resource Conservation District | Extreme Weather Relief:
Round 1: 9/1/2025 - 10/31/2025
Round 2: 4/1/2026 - 6/30/2026
Drought Relief:
Round 1: 10/1/2025 - 12/31/2025 | [https://sierrarcd.com/droughtrelief/](https://sierrarcd.com/droughtrelief/) | | Ventura County Resource Conservation District | Extreme Weather Relief
Round 1: 3/1/2025 – 5/31/2025
Round 2: 6/1/2025 – 8/31/2025
Round 3: 9/1/2025 – 11/31/2025
Drought Relief
Round 1: 1/1/2025 – 3/31/2025
Round 2: 4/1/2025 – 6/30/2025
Round 3: 7/1/2025 – 7/30/2025
Round 4: 10/1/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Drought Relief:
[VCRCD CUSP Drought Relief Grant District](https://vcrcd.org/cusp/)
Extreme Weather Relief:
[VCRCD CUSP Grant Program](https://vcrcd.org/cusp-extreme-weather/) | Technical Assistance Available – Technical Assistance (TA) for agricultural producers to receive assistance on applications to CUSP Drought or Extreme Weather & Other Climate Impacts Relief Grants is available. ### CUSP Technical Assistance Providers | CUSP Technical Assistance Provider | Contact Information | | --- | --- | | Asian Business Institute and Resource Center (ABIRC) | [cusp@fresnoabirc.org](mailto:cusp@fresnoabirc.org)
[(559) 402-0067](tel:1559020067)
(extension 111 or extension 109)
Yessenya Martinez, [yessenya@fresnoabirc.org](mailto:yessenya@fresnoabirc.org) (extension 109)
TA available in Spanish, Hmong, and Lao | | Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) | Amber Schat-Kenig
[farmerfund@caff.org](mailto:farmerfund@caff.org)
[(831) 291-3927](tel:15108381002) | | California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation | Larissa Hernandez
[grants@ccof.org](mailto:grapecrush@cdfa.ca.gov) or
[lhernandez@ccof.org](mailto:lhernandez@ccof.org)
[(831) 346-6324](tel:18313466324) | | East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District | Chris Yohannan
[chris.esrcd@gmail.com](mailto:chris.esrcd@gmail.com)
[209-495-0733](tel:12094950733)
_\*Spanish TA available_ | | Inland Empire Resource Conservation District | Lucy Ceja
[lsolorzano@iercd.org](mailto:lsolorzano@iercd.org)
[(909) 285-4754](tel:19092854754)
Malu Huerta
[mhuerta@iercd.org](mailto:mhuerta@iercd.org)
[(760) 880-0474](tel:17608800474) | | Multiplier (Kitchen Table Advisors) | [info@kitchentableadvisors.org](mailto:info@kitchentableadvisors.org) | | Resource Conservation District of Monterey County | Kasey Butler
[kasey.butler@rcdmonterey.org](mailto:kasey.butler@rcdmonterey.org) | | North Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council | Claudia Muralles
[Claudia@conservationworksnc.org](mailto:Claudia@conservationworksnc.org)
Sarah Keiser
[Sarah@conservationworksnc.org](mailto:Sarah@conservationworksnc.org)
Brian Tajii
[Brian@conservationworksnc.org](mailto:Brian@conservationworksnc.org)
[(707) 978-4149](tel:17079784149)
[Conservation Works](https://www.conservationworksnc.org/cusp-ta) | | Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego | Elizabeth Garcia
[elizabeth.garcia@rcdsandiego.org](mailto:elizabeth.garcia@rcdsandiego.org)
[(619) 562-0096](tel:16195620096) | | Sierra Resource Conservation District | Jessie Kanter
[jkanter@sierrarcd.com](mailto:jkanter@sierrarcd.com)
[(559) 260-3802](tel:15592603802)
Husandeep Singh

[hsingh@sierrarcd.com](mailto:hsingh@sierrarcd.com)
_TA available in Punjabi_ | | Sutter County Resource Conservation District | | | Ventura County Resource Conservation District | Ikuko (Coco) Nakano
[ikuko.nakano@vcrcd.org](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/CUSP/ikuko.nakano@vcrcd.org)
[(805) 764-5152](tel:18057645152)
Alexander Vaca
[alexander.vaca@vcrcd.org](mailto:alexander.vaca@vcrcd.org)
[(805) 256-4759](tel:18052564759)
_Hablo Español_
Cristina Czochanski
[cristina.czochanski@vcrcd.org](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/CUSP/cristina.czochanski@vcrcd.org)
[(805) 764-5150](tel:18057645150)
_\*Spanish TA available_ | **Alert: Possible Scam:** #### Offer of Help with CUSP Applications in Exchange for CUSP Funds CDFA has been made aware of individuals offering to help with CUSP applications in exchange for compensation upon receipt of CUSP funds. Anyone carrying out this scheme is not authorized or condoned by CDFA. Only the organizations listed on the CUSP website are authorized to accept applications or provide Technical Assistance (TA). CDFA, CUSP organizations, and TA providers will never charge fees for applications or assistance. ### Program Status ### Open #### Scroll down for links to open applications ### Quick Links [**CUSP Drought Relief Funding Eligible Practices Table**](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/CUSP/docs/cusp_drought_relief_funding_eligible_practices_table.pdf) \| [en Español](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/CUSP/docs/cusp_drought_relief_funding_eligible_practices_table_spanish.pdf) [**CUSP Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts Relief Eligible Practices Table**](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/CUSP/docs/cusp_extreme_weather_and_other_climate_impacts_relief_eligible_practices_table.pdf) \| [en Español](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/CUSP/docs/cusp_extreme_weather_and_other_climate_impacts_relief_eligible_practices_table_spanish.pdf) #### Contact Us California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Grants Administration 1220 N Street Sacramento, California 95814 [Grants@cdfa.ca.gov](mailto:grants@cdfa.ca.gov) Phone: (916) 657-3231 ### Resources for CUSP Direct Assistance Providers #### Translate This Page Select LanguageAbkhazAcehneseAcholiAfarAfrikaansAlbanianAlurAmharicArabicArmenianAssameseAvarAwadhiAymaraAzerbaijaniBalineseBaluchiBambaraBaouléBashkirBasqueBatak KaroBatak SimalungunBatak TobaBelarusianBembaBengaliBetawiBhojpuriBikolBosnianBretonBulgarianBuryatCantoneseCatalanCebuanoChamorroChechenChichewaChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)ChuukeseChuvashCorsicanCrimean Tatar (Cyrillic)Crimean Tatar (Latin)CroatianCzechDanishDariDhivehiDinkaDogriDombeDutchDyulaDzongkhaEsperantoEstonianEweFaroeseFijianFilipinoFinnishFonFrenchFrench (Canada)FrisianFriulianFulaniGaGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGuaraniGujaratiHaitian CreoleHakha ChinHausaHawaiianHebrewHiligaynonHindiHmongHungarianHunsrikIbanIcelandicIgboIlocanoIndonesianInuktut (Latin)Inuktut (Syllabics)IrishItalianJamaican PatoisJapaneseJavaneseJingpoKalaallisutKannadaKanuriKapampanganKazakhKhasiKhmerKigaKikongoKinyarwandaKitubaKokborokKomiKonkaniKoreanKrioKurdish (Kurmanji)Kurdish (Sorani)KyrgyzLaoLatgalianLatinLatvianLigurianLimburgishLingalaLithuanianLombardLugandaLuoLuxembourgishMacedonianMadureseMaithiliMakassarMalagasyMalayMalay (Jawi)MalayalamMalteseMamManxMaoriMarathiMarshalleseMarwadiMauritian CreoleMeadow MariMeiteilon (Manipuri)MinangMizoMongolianMyanmar (Burmese)Nahuatl (Eastern Huasteca)NdauNdebele (South)Nepalbhasa (Newari)NepaliNKoNorwegianNuerOccitanOdia (Oriya)OromoOssetianPangasinanPapiamentoPashtoPersianPolishPortuguese (Brazil)Portuguese (Portugal)Punjabi (Gurmukhi)Punjabi (Shahmukhi)QuechuaQʼeqchiʼRomaniRomanianRundiRussianSami (North)SamoanSangoSanskritSantali (Latin)Santali (Ol Chiki)Scots GaelicSepediSerbianSesothoSeychellois CreoleShanShonaSicilianSilesianSindhiSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSpanishSundaneseSusuSwahiliSwatiSwedishTahitianTajikTamazightTamazight (Tifinagh)TamilTatarTeluguTetumThaiTibetanTigrinyaTivTok PisinTonganTshilubaTsongaTswanaTuluTumbukaTurkishTurkmenTuvanTwiUdmurtUkrainianUrduUyghurUzbekVendaVenetianVietnameseWarayWelshWolofXhosaYakutYiddishYorubaYucatec MayaZapotecZulu Powered by [![Google Translate](https://www.gstatic.com/images/branding/googlelogo/1x/googlelogo_color_42x16dp.png)Translate](https://translate.google.com/) **Disclaimer:** This Google™ translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. CDFA cannot guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is, therefore, not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you rely on the translation or use this site for official business. ![](https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/i/productlogos/translate/v14/24px.svg) Original text Rate this translation Your feedback will be used to help improve Google Translate

California Underserved and Small Producer Program

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