Grant Opportunities for Producers
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program - 2025 Equipment-Only Solicitation
CDFA is opening a limited 2025 Equipment-Only Solicitation to distribute funds remaining from the 2024 RFSI Solicitation. Approximately $2.3 million will be awarded to purchase one piece of equipment to be used to support middle of the supply chain activities for eligible commodities. Projects may begin upon USDA approval; Recipients are expected to complete all purchases by December 31, 2025.
The Request for Proposals will be available June 11, 2025. The two-phase application process will consist of a short Concept Proposal PDF form which must be emailed to grants@cdfa.ca.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. PT on July 17, 2025. The applicants with the highest-ranked projects will then work with CDFA staff to complete a more detailed Grant Proposal for submission to USDA.
Additional limitations apply to this funding extension. For all details, please review the Request for Proposals at www.cdfa.ca.gov/rfsi. The Concept Proposal application form, Frequently Asked Questions, Q&A, and registration links for webinar and office hours will also be available on the CDFA RFSI website.
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CDFA'S OPCA NOW ACCEPTING 2025–2026 PROPOSALS FOR BIOLOGICALLY INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS (BIFS) GRANTS
SACRAMENTO, June 4, 2025 -- The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA), within the Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability, is now accepting concept proposals for its Biologically Integrated Farming Systems Grant Program (BIFS).
The program funds on-farm demonstration and evaluation of innovative, biologically based farming systems that employ sustainable pest management (SPM) strategies. These practices aim to reduce reliance on biologically disruptive pesticides while supporting crop yields and economic sustainability. Outreach is a key component of BIFS projects and typically involves a diverse team made up of growers, pest control advisors, commodity groups, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Past BIFS projects have refined and promoted SPM practices such as areawide mating disruption, biological control via natural enemy releases and habitat planting, non-fumigant soil disinfestation, removal of diseased plants, bio-pesticides, and more, across diverse cropping systems.
The 2025-2026 Request for Proposals (RFP) identifies five priority funding areas based on recent or proposed regulatory actions and grower needs:
- Areawide pest management of Lygus, the Western tarnished plant bug, a major pest of multiple California crops including cotton and strawberries
- Alternative control strategies for pests previously controlled by neonicotinoid insecticides in tomatoes
- Alternatives for weeds controlled by the herbicide dacthal (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, DCPA) in Brassicaand onion crops
- Alternatives for weeds controlled by the herbicide paraquat
- Areawide rodent management
BIFS project proposals, however, are not required to address one of the priority topics.
A total of $1 million is available for this funding cycle, and applicants can request up to that amount. OPCA is funding this solicitation with a portion of its allocation of the pesticide mill assessment.
Concept proposals are due by 5 PM PST, June 27, 2025. Eligible applicants include public and private colleges and universities; local, State, and federal agencies, including tribal governments; non-profit organizations; and commodity groups. Project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California. Following review, OPCA will invite up to three applicants to submit full proposals, with invitations expected in late July and full proposals due in September.
For full application details and submission instructions, visit:
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oars/opca/bifs.html
About the Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) The Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) is dedicated to supporting a sustainable and thriving future for California’s farmers and ranchers. With 90 percent of the state’s farms being family-owned and producing more than 400 crops—including one-third of the nation’s vegetables and over three-quarters of its fruits and nuts—California agriculture plays a vital role in the food system. These farms face growing challenges from drought, extreme heat, and evolving pest pressures. Through innovative programs, science-based approaches, and strong partnerships, OARS delivers practical tools and strategies to advance both environmental resilience and economic sustainability across the state’s diverse agricultural landscape.
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Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund - Giving direct financial assistance to organic producers
The Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund gives $5,000 – $20,000 direct financial disaster assistance grants for hardship related to drought, extreme weather or climate impacts to organic farmers and processors.
CCOF has partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer drought relief grants through the CUSP, and additional funding for extreme weather and climate impacts.
These are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of drought, extreme weather, and climate impacts.
Drought, extreme weather and climate impact relief funding is open to organic producers in California.*
Grant amounts range between $5,000 to $20,000.
*Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.
Currently Open: Click here to Apply
Hardship Assistance Fund applicant requirements:
- Be a certified organic operation with a valid organic certificate from any third-party USDA-accredited certifier (CDFA registration alone is not sufficient).*
- Must be an organic farming or ranching business in California*
- Submit a complete and detailed description of hardship endured
- Submit supporting financial documentation of economic loss (Ex: Profit and Loss Statements)**
- Grant funds cannot be used for organic certification fees
- Submit receipts and/or verification of loss
- Submit a final progress report six months after grant is awarded (for grant recipients only)
*Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.
**Drought applicants only
Timeline and Details:
- Applications must be completed online - Click here to Apply
- Click here to review a sample application
- Applications periods are on a quarterly basis
- Granting rounds will open on the first Monday, and close the last Friday of each quarter
- January 6 – March 28, 2025
- April 7 – June 27, 2025
- July 7 – September 26, 2025
- October 6 – December 19, 2025
- Awards granted the following quarter
- Granting rounds will open on the first Monday, and close the last Friday of each quarter
*Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.
Applications accepted quarterly.
Community is at the heart of the CCOF Foundation and we’re here to support you. If you have questions, please reach out to grants@ccof.org or 831-346-6324. Se habla español.