Hardship Assistance Fund - CCOF
Giving direct financial assistance to organic producers
The Hardship Assistance Fund gives $5,000 – $20,000 direct financial disaster assistance grants for hardship related to extreme weather or climate impacts to organic farmers and ranchers.
CCOF has partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer extreme weather and climate impact grants through the CUSP.
These are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of extreme weather and climate impacts.
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:
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).*
- Be a small or medium scale California agricultural producer, defined by this program as any farmer making up to $400,000 or dairy operation making up to $1,000,000 in annual gross sales.
- 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.
Timeline and Details:
- Applications must be completed online
- 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 5 – March 27, 2026
- April 6 – June 26, 2026
- July 6 – September 25, 2026
- October 5 – December 11, 2026
- 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.
Accepting applications during the following dates:
- April 6 – June 26, 2026
- July 6 – September 25, 2026
- October 5 – December 11, 2026
Applications must be completed online
- Applications periods are on a quarterly basis
- Awards granted the following quarter
- Only fully complete applications are reviewed
- Once applications are initiated, they should be completed by the quarterly deadline
- Funds are provided as direct assistance
- Grant amounts range from $5,000 – $20,000
The application is available in both English and Spanish.
Accepting applications for farmers and ranchers in California who have been affected by extreme weather and climate impacts.
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.