AB 2313: Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2024-09-04
Current Status:
Failed
(2024-09-20: Vetoed by Governor.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
The Cannella Environmental Farming Act of 1995 requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to establish and oversee an environmental farming program to provide incentives to farmers whose practices promote the well-being of ecosystems, air quality, and wildlife and their habitat. The act also requires the department to establish the Healthy Soils Program and a technical assistance grant program, as specified.
Existing law, the Farmer Equity Act of 2017, requires the department to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as defined, in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, and policies and programs, as specified.
This bill would require the department, in collaboration with certain entities, to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program as part of the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 to provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and, if funding is available, for limited resource farmers and ranchers or eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged or limited resource farmers and ranchers, as specified. The bill would specify the entities eligible for financial assistance under the program and would require that applications for financial assistance to develop and expand equipment sharing programs include certain information. The bill would make the operation of the program contingent upon the voters approving a specified bond measure at the November 2024 election and the Legislature making an appropriation for purposes of the program. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2030.
The Cannella Environmental Farming Act of 1995 requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to establish and oversee an environmental farming program to provide incentives to farmers whose practices promote the well-being of ecosystems, air quality, and wildlife and their habitat. The act also requires the department to establish the Healthy Soils Program and a technical assistance grant program, as specified.
Existing law, the Farmer Equity Act of 2017, requires the department to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as defined, in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, and policies and programs, as specified.
This bill would require the department, in collaboration with certain entities, to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program as part of the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 to provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits first for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and, if funding is available, for limited resource farmers and ranchers or eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged or limited resource farmers and ranchers, as specified. The bill would specify the entities eligible for financial assistance under the program and would require that applications for financial assistance to develop and expand equipment sharing programs include certain information. The bill would make the operation of the program contingent upon the voters approving a specified bond measure at the November 2024 election and the Legislature making an appropriation for purposes of the program. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2030.
The Cannella Environmental Farming Act of 1995 requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to establish and oversee an environmental farming program to provide incentives to farmers whose practices promote the well-being of ecosystems, air quality, and wildlife and their habitat. The act also requires the department to establish the Healthy Soils Program and a technical assistance grant program, as specified.
Existing law, the Farmer Equity Act of 2017, requires the department to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as defined, in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, and policies and programs, as specified.
This bill would require the department, in collaboration with certain entities, to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program as part of the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 to provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits first for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and, if funding is available, for limited resource farmers and ranchers or eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged or limited resource farmers and ranchers, as specified. The bill would specify the entities eligible for financial assistance under the program and would require that applications for financial assistance to develop and expand equipment sharing programs include certain information. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2030.
(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)In California, 75 percent of farms operate with net cash farm income gains under $25,000 or with net losses.
(2)After land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is the second largest capital investment producers face, but such a purchase is often inaccessible for small- to mid-scale, underserved, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(3)Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment and can facilitate conservation practices, help alleviate financial barriers to equipment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide necessary resources to build regional food economies.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature that the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program established by this act do both of the following:
(1)Primarily serve historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(2)Uplift regional economies and inspire greater farmer collaboration and collective work by resourcing and supporting farmer cooperative technical assistance.
SEC. 2.Section 515 is added to the Food and Agricultural Code, to read:515.(a)The department, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, the BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee, and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee, shall establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program to provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(b)Activities that are eligible for funding through the program include all of the following:
(1)Developing and expanding equipment sharing programs, including, but not limited to, the purchase and repair of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and associated administrative costs, to do both of the following:
(A)Support environmental farming practices, including, but not limited to, practices that promote soil health, water conservation, wildlife and their habitat, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Enhance regional food and fiber systems for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(2)Providing technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Training on the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure.
(B)Outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)Small farm tool demonstrations.
(3)(A)Providing a direct grant to an entity that will assist in cooperative development for farmers.
(B)The entity described in subparagraph (A) shall have relevant cooperative development expertise and be able to provide meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(c)The program shall do both of the following:
(1)(A)Provide financial assistance for activities that primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(B)If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to subparagraph (A), provide financial assistance for activities that primarily benefit limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), provide financial assistance to eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(2)Prioritize financial assistance for activities that primarily benefit farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less.
(d)Entities eligible for financial assistance under the program shall include resource conservation districts, county agricultural commissioners, the University of California Cooperative Extension, tribal entities, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers, or both.
(e)An application for financial assistance pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) shall include, but not be limited to, a description of how the applicant will operate an equipment sharing program, including all of the following:
(1)A list and description of the tools, equipment, and infrastructure the applicant will purchase.
(2)A description of the equipment sharing program, including safeguards for the long-term benefits of any tools, equipment, or infrastructure purchased, expected benefits of the equipment sharing program, and the types of farmers or ranchers the applicant aims to serve, including specific outreach that will be provided to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(3)A description of how the equipment sharing program will be maintained after the period of the financial assistance expires.
(f)The Farm Equity Advisor at the department shall ensure that the program meets the objectives of this article.
(g)For purposes of this section, all of the following definitions apply:
(1)Activities means those activities described in subdivision (b).
(2)Limited resource farmer or rancher has the same definition as in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)Program means the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program.
(h)For purposes of this section, financial assistance does not include a loan.
(i)Subdivisions (a) to (h), inclusive, shall not become operative until both of the following occur:
(1)The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Section 2 of Chapter 83 of the Statutes of 2024) is approved by the voters at the statewide general election on November 5, 2024.
(2)The Legislature makes an appropriation for purposes of the program, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (g).
(j)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)In California, 75 percent of farms operate with net cash farm income gains under $25,000 or with net losses.
(2)After land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is the second largest capital investment producers face, but such a purchase is often inaccessible for small- to mid-scale, underserved, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(3)Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment and can facilitate conservation practices, help alleviate financial barriers to equipment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide necessary resources to build regional food economies.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature that the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program established by this act do both of the following:
(1)Primarily serve historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(2)Uplift regional economies and inspire greater farmer collaboration and collective work by resourcing and supporting farmer cooperative technical assistance.
SEC. 2.Section 515 is added to the Food and Agricultural Code, to read:515.(a)The department, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, the BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee, and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee, shall establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program to provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(b)Activities that are eligible for funding pursuant to this section through the program include all of the following:
(1)Developing and expanding equipment sharing programs, including, but not limited to, the purchase and repair of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and associated administrative costs, to do both of the following:
(A)Support environmental farming practices, including, but not limited to, practices that promote soil health, water conservation, wildlife and their habitat, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Enhance regional food and fiber systems for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(2)Providing technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Training on the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure.
(B)Outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)Small farm tool demonstrations.
(3)(A)Providing a direct grant to an entity that will assist in cooperative development for farmers.
(B)The entity described in subparagraph (A) shall have relevant cooperative development expertise and be able to provide meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(c)The program established pursuant to this section shall do both of the following:
(1)(A)Provide financial assistance for projects activities that primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(B)If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to subparagraph (A), provide financial assistance for projects activities that primarily benefit limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), provide financial assistance to eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(2)Prioritize financial assistance for projects activities that primarily benefit farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less.
(d)Entities eligible for financial assistance under the program shall include resource conservation districts, county agricultural commissioners, the University of California Cooperative Extension, tribal entities, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers, or both.
(e)An application for financial assistance pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) shall include, but is not be limited to, a description of how the applicant will operate an equipment sharing program, including all of the following:
(1)A list and description of the tools, equipment, and infrastructure the applicant will purchase.
(2)A description of the lending equipment sharing program, including safeguards for the long-term benefits of any tools, equipment, or infrastructure purchased, expected benefits of the lending equipment sharing program, and the types of farmers or ranchers the applicant aims to serve, including specific outreach that will be provided to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(3)A description of how the lending equipment sharing program will be maintained after the period of the financial assistance expires.
(f)The Farm Equity Advisor at the department shall ensure that the pilot program meets the objectives of this article.
(g)For purposes of this section, limited all of the following definitions apply:
(1)Activities means those activities described in subdivision (b).
(2)Limited resource farmer or rancher has the same definition as in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(3)Program means the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program.
(h)For the purposes of this section, financial assistance shall does not include a loan.
(i)Subdivisions (a) to (h), inclusive, shall not become operative until both of the following occur:
(1)The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Section 2 of Chapter 83 of the Statutes of 2024) is approved by the voters at the statewide general election on November 5, 2024.
(2)The Legislature makes an appropriation for purposes of the program, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (g).
(i)(j)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(1)In California, 75 percent of farms operate with net cash farm income gains under $25,000 or with net losses.
(2)After land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is the second largest capital investment producers face, but such a purchase is often inaccessible for small- to mid-scale, underserved, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(3)Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment and can facilitate conservation practices, help alleviate financial barriers to equipment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide necessary resources to build regional food economies.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature that the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program established by this act do both of the following:
(1)Primarily serve historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(2)Uplift regional economies and inspire greater farmer collaboration and collective work by resourcing and supporting farmer cooperative technical assistance.
SEC. 2.Section 515 is added to the Food and Agricultural Code, to read:515.(a)The department, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, the BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee, and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee, shall establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program to provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(b)Activities that are eligible for funding pursuant to this section include all of the following:
(1)Developing and expanding equipment sharing programs, including, but not limited to, the purchase and repair of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and associated administrative costs, to do both of the following:
(A)Support environmental farming practices, including, but not limited to, practices that promote soil health, water conservation, wildlife and their habitat, and wildfire resilience.
(B)Enhance regional food and fiber systems for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
(2)Providing technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(A)Training on the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure.
(B)Outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)Small farm tool demonstrations.
(3)(A)Providing a direct grant to an entity that will assist in cooperative development for farmers.
(B)The entity described in subparagraph (A) shall have relevant cooperative development expertise and be able to provide meaningful benefits to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(c)The program established pursuant to this section shall do both of the following:
(1)(A)Provide financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(B)If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to subparagraph (A), provide financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(C)If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), provide financial assistance to eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(2)Prioritize financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less.
(d)Entities eligible for financial assistance under the program shall include resource conservation districts, county agricultural commissioners, the University of California Cooperative Extension, tribal entities, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers, or both.
(e)An application for financial assistance pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) shall include, but is not limited to, a description of how the applicant will operate an equipment sharing program, including all of the following:
(1)A list and description of the tools, equipment, and infrastructure the applicant will purchase.
(2)A description of the lending program, including safeguards for the long-term benefits of any tools, equipment, or infrastructure purchased, expected benefits of the lending program, and the types of farmers or ranchers the applicant aims to serve, including specific outreach that will be provided to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(3)A description of how the lending program will be maintained after the period of the financial assistance expires.
(f)The Farm Equity Advisor at the department shall ensure that the pilot program meets the objectives of this article.
(g)For purposes of this section, limited resource farmer or rancher has the same definition as in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(h)For the purposes of this section, financial assistance shall not include a loan.
(i)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
REVISIONS: HeadingLine 2.|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 20, 2024 | Vetoed by Governor. |
| Sep 11, 2024 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug 30, 2024 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 64. Noes 3.). |
| Aug 30, 2024 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Aug 29, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 33. Noes 7.). |
| Aug 19, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 15, 2024 | Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. |
| Aug 15, 2024 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 15). |
| Jul 1, 2024 | In committee: Referred to suspense file. |
| Jun 18, 2024 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (June 18). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 29, 2024 | Referred to Com. on AGRI. |
| May 22, 2024 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 21, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 60. Noes 7. Page 5438.) |
| May 20, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 16, 2024 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 16). |
| Apr 24, 2024 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr 11, 2024 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 1.) (April 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 11, 2024 | Coauthors revised. |
| Feb 26, 2024 | Referred to Com. on AGRI. |
| Feb 13, 2024 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 14. |
| Feb 12, 2024 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2024 | AB 2313 Bennett Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 29, 2024 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB2313 Bennett et al. By Becker | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 15, 2024 | Do pass as amended | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jul 1, 2024 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jun 18, 2024 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture |
Passed |
|
| May 21, 2024 | AB 2313 Bennett Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 16, 2024 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 10, 2024 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| 350 Sacramento | ** Support | |
| Agricultural Institute of Marin | ** Support | |
| Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association | ** Support | |
| Air's Wild Acres | ** Support | |
| Alchemist CDC | ** Support | |
| Amador Resource Conservation District | ** Support | |
| American Farmland Trust | ** Support | |
| Asrys Bridge | ** Support | |
| Barbell Farm | ** Support | |
| Beeworthy Farms | ** Support | |
| Belong Farm | ** Support | |
| Black Thumb Farm | ** Support | |
| California Association Of Resource Conservation Districts | ** Support | |
| California Center for Cooperative Development | ** Support | |
| California Certified Organic Farmers | ** Support | |
| California Climate & Agriculture Network | ** Support | |
| California Farmlink | ** Support | |
| California Food and Farming Network | ** Support | |
| California Native Seed Supply Collaborative | ** Support | |
| California Nurses for Environmental Health & Justice | ** Support | |
| California Plowshares | ** Support | |
| California State Grange | ** Support | |
| Californians Against Waste | * Support | Jun 18, 2024 |
| Carbon Cycle Institute | ** Support | |
| Center For Food Safety; The | ** Support | |
| Center for Land-Based Learning | ** Support | |
| Central California Environmental Justice Network | ** Support | |
| Ceres Community Project | ** Support | |
| Chiatri De Laguna Farm | ** Support | |
| Community Alliance With Family Farmers | ** Support | |
| Contra Costa Resources Conservation District | ** Support | |
| Dream Life Farms | ** Support | |
| Esperanza Community Farms | ** Support | |
| Evans Estate | ** Support | |
| Farm View Youth Learning Center | ** Support | |
| Farm-ng | ** Support | |
| Fibershed | ** Support | |
| Flourish Local | ** Support | |
| Foodshed Coop | ** Support | |
| Foodwise | ** Support | |
| Fresh Approach | ** Support | |
| Funders for Regenerative Agriculture | ** Support | |
| Gemperle Orchards | ** Support | |
| Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District | ** Support | |
| Green Lot | ** Support | |
| Greenbelt Alliance | ** Support | |
| Hen and Harvest Farm | ** Support | |
| Hummingbird Ridge Farm | ** Support | |
| K & K Ranch | ** Support | |
| Kuni Bea Farms | ** Support | |
| Loca Vivant Kitchen | ** Support | |
| Lopez Organic Farms | ** Support | |
| Lost Coast Ranch | ** Support | |
| Marin County Resource Conservation District | ** Support | |
| Marin Food Policy Council | ** Support | |
| Marin Resource Conservation District | ** Support | |
| Mockingbird Flora | ** Support | |
| Monterey Bay Farms | ** Support | |
| NextGen California | ** Support | |
| Occidental Arts and Ecology Center | ** Support | |
| Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council | ** Support | |
| Pesticide Action Network | ** Support | |
| Pie Ranch | ** Support | |
| Pittsburg Unified School District | ** Support | |
| Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County | ** Support | |
| Roots of Change | ** Support | |
| Sacramento Food Policy Council | ** Support | |
| Sacramento Valley Soil Hub | ** Support | |
| San Diego Food System Alliance | ** Support | |
| Santa Barbara County Food Action Network | ** Support | |
| Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm | ** Support | |
| See-la | ** Support | |
| Sierra Harvest | ** Support | |
| Solano Resource Conservation District | ** Support | |
| Solectrac | ** Support | |
| Sonoma County Farm Trails | ** Support | |
| Soul Food Farm | ** Support | |
| Stop Waste | * Support | Jun 18, 2024 |
| Sunlife Farms INC. | ** Support | |
| Sustaina | ** Support | |
| Sustainable Agriculture Education | ** Support | |
| The Climate Center | ** Support | |
| The Collins Farm | ** Support | |
| The Mixing Bowl LLC | ** Support | |
| The Praxis Project | ** Support | |
| Toluma Farms | ** Support | |
| Tomkat Ranch | ** Support | |
| Trinity County Resource Conservation District | ** Support | |
| Upper Salinas - Las Tablas Resource Conservation District | ** Support | |
| Veggielution | ** Support | |
| Welkin Farms | ** Support | |
| White Buffalo Land Trust | ** Support | |
| Zero Foodprint | ** Support |
GOVERNOR'S VETO
GV Bill Id:AB 2313
Author:(Bennett)
As Enrolled Ver:September 4, 2024
2/3 vote
SUMMARY
This bill establishes, upon appropriation of the legislature, and contingent upon voter approval of Proposition 4 in the November 2024 General Election, the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program as part of the Farmer Equity Act of 2017. This bill states that the Program will provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing.
Senate Amendments:
- Make technical definition for activities and program.
- Require both the passage of The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Section 2 of Chapter 83 of the Statutes of 2024) and an appropriation for the Legislature for this program to become operative.
Governor's Veto Message
This bill requires the Department of Food and Agriculture, upon appropriation and contingent on passage of Proposition 4, a measure on the November 2024 ballot, to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program to provide financial and technical assistance for farm equipment sharing and cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged and limited-resource farmers and ranchers.
I support the author's goal of assisting small-scale farmers and ranchers, but this bill creates a new grant program that lacks the necessary continuous funding to support it. I vetoed a similar bill last year due to budget concerns, and while I understand that this bill is contingent on a potential initial funding source, a new grant program that will require ongoing funding should be considered in the annual budget process.
In partnership with the Legislature this year, my Administration has enacted a balanced budget that avoids deep program cuts to vital services and protected investments in education, health care, climate, public safety, housing, and social service programs that millions of Californians rely on. It is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.
COMMENTS
California is the largest agriculture producing state in the nation, with over 400 crops. California farms are smaller than the national average. The most recent USDA Agriculture census showed that 65% of the farms in California are under 50 acres. While all farming in California faces numerous issues such as labor, regulations, equipment and land cost, not to mention fire, drought and floods, this issues affect small farms more intensely.
Small-scale, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers face significant barriers in accessing infrastructure resources. After land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is the second largest capital investment and remains difficult to get to for small, underserved and beginning farmers with limited cash flow for major purchases. These small-scale farming operations require a greater variety of costly equipment and some high-capital equipment is only used a few times a year. Cooperatively managed equipment sharing can help address these infrastructure barriers and increase farm viability, while supporting implementation of conservation practices and maximizing efficient use of equipment.
According to the Author
Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment from regional agricultural centers such as fairgrounds, universities, cooperative extension offices, farmer cooperatives, and resource conservation districts (RCD). These programs aim to alleviate the financial burden for farmers, increase on-farm safety, reduce emissions, incentivize conservation practices, and provide necessary resources to producers. There is evidence of successful state-government-run equipment sharing programs in states like the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission equipment sharing and rental program and several of New Hampshire's County Conservation Districts have equipment rental programs to allow farmers to borrow specialized equipment at a low cost for soil health and nutrient management practices.
Arguments in Support
This bill establishes a program to support equipment sharing for farmers and ranchers that face the highest barriers in accessing the equipment they need to build climate resilience and regional food and fiber systems. This program would provide funds to eligible entities, such as resource conservation districts, County agricultural commissioners, University of California Cooperative Extension offices, tribal entities, farmer cooperatives, and nonprofits to develop and maintain equipment sharing programs for their constituencies. The program would also support technical assistance for maintenance of tools, tool demonstrations, and farmer cooperatives. This bill prioritizes farmers that face the highest barriers - underserved farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers. As climate impacts worsen, this bill would provide a critical bridge for farmers who are seeking access to needed equipment for conservation practices, wildfire mitigation, and expanding their economic viability, but currently face financial barriers.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, this bill would result in a cost pressure to provide funding and administrative support for the Pilot Program. The magnitude is unknown, but likely in the millions of dollars (General Fund, special funds and/or bond funds).
VOTES
ASM AGRICULTURE: 9-1-0
YES: Soria, Alanis, Aguiar-Curry, Connolly, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Ta, Villapudua, Wood
NO: Sanchez
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-4-0
YES: Wicks, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Pellerin, Villapudua
NO: Sanchez, Dixon, Jim Patterson, Ta
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 60-7-13
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Connolly, Mike Fong, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
NO: Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Vince Fong, Gallagher, Joe Patterson, Sanchez
ABS, ABST OR NV: Cervantes, Chen, Megan Dahle, Flora, Friedman, Gabriel, Holden, Hoover, Lackey, Mathis, Jim Patterson, Luz Rivas, Ta
SENATE FLOOR: 33-7-0
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
NO: Dahle, Grove, Jones, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Seyarto
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 64-3-12
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Connolly, Davies, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Irwin, Jackson, Jones- Sawyer, Kalra, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Pacheco, Papan, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
NO: Megan Dahle, Essayli, Gallagher
ABS, ABST OR NV: Cervantes, Chen, Dixon, Flora, Hoover, Lackey, Mathis, Ortega, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Sanchez, Ta
UPDATED
VERSION: September 4, 2024
CONSULTANT: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 FN: 0005081
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2313
Author:(Bennett)
As Amended Ver:August 15, 2024
Majority vote
SUMMARY
This bill establishes, upon appropriation of the legislature, and contingent upon voter approval of Proposition 4 in the November 2024 General Election, the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program as part of the Farmer Equity Act of 2017. This bill states that the Program will provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing.
Senate Amendments
- Makes technical definition for activities and program.
- Requires both the passage of The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Section 2 of Chapter 83 of the Statutes of 2024) and an appropriation for the Legislature for this program to become operative.
These amendments are in alignment with the policy goal of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture.
COMMENTS
California is the largest agriculture producing state in the nation, with over 400 crops. California farms are smaller than the national average. The most recent USDA Agriculture census showed that 65% of the farms in California are under 50 acres. While all farming in California faces numerous issues such as labor, regulations, equipment and land cost, not to mention fire, drought and floods, this issues affect small farms more intensely.
Small-scale, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers face significant barriers in accessing infrastructure resources. After land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is the second largest capital investment and remains difficult to get to for small, underserved and beginning farmers with limited cash flow for major purchases. These small-scale farming operations require a greater variety of costly equipment and some high-capital equipment is only used a few times a year. Cooperatively managed equipment sharing can help address these infrastructure barriers and increase farm viability, while supporting implementation of conservation practices and maximizing efficient use of equipment.
According to the Author
Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment from regional agricultural centers such as fairgrounds, universities, cooperative extension offices, farmer cooperatives, and resource conservation districts (RCD). These programs aim to alleviate the financial burden for farmers, increase on-farm safety, reduce emissions, incentivize conservation practices, and provide necessary resources to producers. There is evidence of successful state-government-run equipment sharing programs in states like the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission equipment sharing and rental program and several of New Hampshire's County Conservation Districts have equipment rental programs to allow farmers to borrow specialized equipment at a low cost for soil health and nutrient management practices.
Arguments in Support
This bill establishes a program to support equipment sharing for farmers and ranchers that face the highest barriers in accessing the equipment they need to build climate resilience and regional food and fiber systems. This program would provide funds to eligible entities, such as resource conservation districts, County agricultural commissioners, University of California Cooperative Extension offices, tribal entities, farmer cooperatives, and nonprofits to develop and maintain equipment sharing programs for their constituencies. The program would also support technical assistance for maintenance of tools, tool demonstrations, and farmer cooperatives. This bill prioritizes farmers that face the highest barriers - underserved farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers. As climate impacts worsen, this bill would provide a critical bridge for farmers who are seeking access to needed equipment for conservation practices, wildfire mitigation, and expanding their economic viability, but currently face financial barriers.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, this bill would result in a cost pressure to provide funding and administrative support for the Pilot Program. The magnitude is unknown, but likely in the millions of dollars (General Fund, special funds and/or bond funds).
VOTES:
ASM AGRICULTURE: 9-1-0
YES: Soria, Alanis, Aguiar-Curry, Connolly, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Ta, Villapudua, Wood
NO: Sanchez
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-4-0
YES: Wicks, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Pellerin, Villapudua
NO: Sanchez, Dixon, Jim Patterson, Ta
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 60-7-13
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Connolly, Mike Fong, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
NO: Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Vince Fong, Gallagher, Joe Patterson, Sanchez
ABS, ABST OR NV: Cervantes, Chen, Megan Dahle, Flora, Friedman, Gabriel, Holden, Hoover, Lackey, Mathis, Jim Patterson, Luz Rivas, Ta
SENATE FLOOR: 33-7-0
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
NO: Dahle, Grove, Jones, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Seyarto
UPDATED
VERSION: August 15, 2024
CONSULTANT: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 FN: 0004227
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 2313 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2313
Author: Bennett (D), et al.
Amended: 8/15/24 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE: 4-0, 6/18/24
AYES: Hurtado, Alvarado-Gil, Cortese, Padilla
NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-2, 8/15/24
AYES: Caballero, Ashby, Becker, Bradford, Wahab
NOES: Jones, Seyarto
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 60-7, 5/21/24 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program
SOURCE: California Climate & Agriculture Network
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
DIGEST:
This bill establishes, upon appropriation of the legislature, and contingent upon voter approval of Proposition 4 in the November 2024 General Election, the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program as part of the Farmer Equity Act of 2017. This bill states that the Program will provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 which requires the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the development, adoption, implementation, enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, policies, and programs, as specified (Food and Agricultural Code Section 510-511).
- Establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program as a statewide grant program to support local efforts to establish agricultural conservation easements and land improvement projects for the purpose of preserving important agricultural land resources and enhancing sustainable agricultural uses (Public Resources Code Sections 10200 – 10264).
- Establishes the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program which provides funding through local air districts for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations (AB 109, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2017 and AB 134, Chapter 254, Statutes of 2017).
This bill:
- States CDFA, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Producer Advisory Committee, and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee, shall establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program (Program).
- Defines activities that are eligible for funding, including:
- Developing and expanding equipment sharing programs, including but not limited to, the purchase and repair of tools, equipment, infrastructure, and associated administrative costs.
- Providing technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, training on the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure.
- Providing a direct grant to an entity that will assist in cooperative development for farmers.
- States the Program shall provide financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, then, if moneys are available, limited resource farmers or ranchers, then, if moneys are still available, to entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
- States the Program shall prioritize financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less.
- States entities eligible for financial assistance shall include:
- Resource conservation districts.
- County agricultural commissioners.
- The University of California Cooperative Extension.
- Tribal entities.
- Small and underserved farmer cooperatives.
- Nonprofit organizations serving socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
- Establishes the application shall include, but is not limited to, a description of how the applicant will operate an equipment sharing program including a list and description of the tools, equipment, and infrastructure the applicant will purchase, a description of the lending program, and a description of how the lending program will be maintained after the period of financial assistance expires.
- Makes the bill contingent upon voter approval of Proposition 4 in the November, 2024 General Election and upon an appropriation by the legislature.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations:
This bill would result in a cost pressure to provide funding and administrative support for the Pilot Program. The magnitude is unknown, but likely in the millions of dollars (General Fund, special funds and/or bond funds). The bill currently does not indicate a funding source nor amount. Consequently, CDFA is unable to determine its resulting workload. The Agency notes that, generally, the resources required to administer the Pilot Program would be commensurate to its size and duration. However, CDFA indicates that it would require, at a minimum, about $400,000 per year to support two positions over the duration of the Program.
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/15/24)
California Climate & Agriculture Network (Co-Source)
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (Co-Source)
350 Sacramento
Agricultural Institute of Marin
Agriculture and Land-based Training Association
Air's Wild Acres
Alchemist CDC
Amador Resource Conservation District
American Farmland Trust
Asrys Bridge
Barbell Farm
Beeworthy Farms
Belong Farm
Black Thumb Farm
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
California Center for Cooperative Development
California Certified Organic Farmers
California Farmlink
California Food and Farming Network
California Native Seed Supply Collaborative
California Nurses for Environmental Health & Justice
California Plowshares
Carbon Cycle Institute
Center for Food Safety; the
Center for Land-based Learning
Central California Environmental Justice Network
Ceres Community Project
Chiatri De Laguna Farm
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District
Dream Life Farms
Esperanza Community Farms
Evans Estate
Farm View Youth Learning Center
Farm-ng
Fibershed
Foodshed Coop
Foodwise
Fresh Approach
Funders for Regenerative Agriculture
Gemperle Orchards
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District
Green Lot
Greenbelt Alliance
Hen and Harvest Farm
Hummingbird Ridge Farm
K & K Ranch
Kuni Bea Farms
Loca Vivant Kitchen
Lopez Organic Farms
Marin County Resource Conservation District
Marin Food Policy Council
Monterey Bay Farms
Nextgen California
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Pesticide Action Network
Pie Ranch
Pittsburg Unified School District
Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County
Roots of Change
Sacramento Food Policy Council
Sacramento Valley Soil Hub
San Diego Food System Alliance
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network
Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm
SEE-LA
Sierra Harvest
Solano Resource Conservation District
Solectrac
Soul Food Farm
Sunlife Farms INC.
Sustaina
Sustainable Agriculture Education
The Climate Center
The Collins Farm
The Mixing Bowl LLC
The Praxis Project
Toluma Farms
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
Upper Salinas - Las Tablas Resource Conservation District
Veggielution
Welkin Farms
White Buffalo Land Trust
Zero Foodprint
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/24)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “After the purchase of land, farm equipment is the largest capital investment for small farmers. These folks often have less cash-on-hand to invest in the equipment they need. My bill facilitates a heavy equipment tool sharing program where farmers can temporarily borrow the equipment they need. It is important that we protect our small agricultural operations because they are stewards of biological diversity, healthy soils, and many other conservation practices.”
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers, co-sponsors of the legislation, wrote in support of the bill stating:
“The equipment sharing program that AB 2313 creates would directly contribute to the creation of thriving regional food ecosystems where small and BIPOC farmers and land stewards can begin to build wealth and self-determination. BIPOC farmers own less land, make less money and receive less government support than their white counterparts. With 1 in 5 farmers identifying as BIPOC 3 in California, the state needs to be investing in programs that help these farmers build wealth, and AB 2313 is one of those programs.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 60-7, 5/21/24
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Connolly, Mike Fong, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
NOES: Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Vince Fong, Gallagher, Joe Patterson, Sanchez
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cervantes, Chen, Megan Dahle, Flora, Friedman, Gabriel, Holden, Hoover, Lackey, Mathis, Jim Patterson, Luz Rivas, Ta
Prepared by: Reichel Everhart / AGRI. / (916) 651-1508
8/19/24 12:35:50
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
Senator Anna Caballero, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 2313 (Bennett) - Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program
Version: | Policy Vote: |
Urgency: | Mandate: |
Hearing Date: | Consultant: |
Bill Summary:
AB 2313 would establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program, as specified.
*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********
The following information is revised to reflect amendments
adopted by the committee on August 15, 2024
Fiscal Impact:
This bill would result in a cost pressure to provide funding and administrative support for the Pilot Program. The magnitude is unknown, but likely in the millions of dollars (General Fund, special funds and/or bond funds). The bill currently does not indicate a funding source nor amount. Consequently, CDFA is unable to determine its resulting workload. The Agency notes that, generally, the resources required to administer the Pilot Program would be commensurate to its size and duration. However, CDFA indicates that it would require, at a minimum, about $400,000 per year to support two positions over the duration of the Program.
Author Amendments:
Make the bill contingent upon an appropriation.
Committee Amendments:
Make the bill contingent upon voter approval of Proposition 4 in the November 2024 General Election, and make technical changes.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Anna Caballero, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 2313 (Bennett) - Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program
Version: February 12, 2024 | Policy Vote: AGRI. 4 - 0 |
Urgency: No | Mandate: No |
Hearing Date: July 1, 2024 | Consultant: Robert Ingenito |
Bill Summary:
AB 2313 would establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program, as specified.
Fiscal Impact:
This bill would result in a cost pressure to provide funding and administrative support for the Pilot Program. The magnitude is unknown, but likely in the millions of dollars (General Fund, special funds and/or bond funds). The bill currently does not indicate a funding source nor amount. Consequently, CDFA is unable to determine its resulting workload. The Agency notes that, generally, the resources required to administer the Pilot Program would be commensurate to its size and duration. However, CDFA indicates that it would require, at a minimum, about $400,000 per year to support two positions over the duration of the Program.
Background:
After the purchase of land, farm equipment is the largest capital investment for small farmers. Access to tools and equipment can be a limiting factor on both new and established farms. Equipment costs can vary widely based on the specific kind of farm equipment. Some cost examples reportedly include the following: (1) No-till drill: up to $22,000, (2) Compost spreader: up to $30,000, (3) Wood chipper: up to $50,000, (4) Packing machine: up to $30,000, and (5) Cold storage: in excess of $100,000. Available data suggest that nearly 75 percent of farmers in the State operate on less than $100,000 in gross sales, making high-value equipment difficult to purchase.
Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment. Studies have noted the benefits of equipment sharing programs for agriculture. Lowering the costs to acquire, use, and maintain equipment through equipment and tool sharing programs can improve farm profitability and viability. In addition, these programs also can increase on-farm safety, reduce emissions, incentivize conservation practices, and provide necessary resources to producers.
Proposed Law:
This bill would, among other things, do the following:
- Require CDFA to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program (Program), in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Producer Advisory Committee, and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee.
- Define activities that are eligible for funding, including (1) developing and expanding equipment sharing programs, including but not limited to, the purchase and repair of tools, equipment, infrastructure, and associated administrative costs, (2) providing technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, training on the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure, and (3) providing a direct grant to an entity that will assist in cooperative development for farmers.
- Provide that CDFA shall provide financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, then, if moneys are available, limited resource farmers or ranchers, then, if moneys are still available, to entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
- Prioritize financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less.
- Provide that entities eligible for financial assistance shall include (1) resource conservation districts, (2) county agricultural commissioners, (3) the University of California Cooperative Extension, (4) tribal entities, (5) small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and (6) nonprofit organizations serving socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
Related Legislation:
AB 552 (2023) would have established the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program within CDFA. The bill was vetoed by the Governor.
Staff Comments:
CDFA anticipates that this bill would result in high initial resource costs to develop the Program, including requiring at least a year of convening, consultation, and public comment to design the program, solicitation and post-award management structure. The Agency anticipates that the Program would last up to five years.
CDFA further notes that the bill currently gives no range on which to base workload assumptions. The necessary staff resources to implement the Program would scale to the size of appropriation, but certain factors would remain the same regardless of program size. Finally, CDFA notes that the Program may require continued state investment to replace equipment as it ages and, potentially, fund maintenance.
In September 2017, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) received $135 million to reduce emissions from the agricultural sector from AB 134 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 254, Statutes of 2017) and AB 109 (Ting, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2017). The bills provide funding for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations. CARB staff worked with local air districts and stakeholders to develop the proposed Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program Guidelines, which set the minimum requirements for the program and ensure that the projects funded will provide the intended emission reductions. Local air districts receive funds based on a formula and award them to farmers and agricultural projects. Two additional project categories were added in April 2022. One new category is for zero-emission agricultural equipment. The other category is the Used Agricultural Equipment for Small Producers Pilot Project in the San Joaquin Valley, which allows small producers that may not have the means to purchase new equipment to replace their more-polluting equipment with cleaner equipment. As of September 2022, $685 million has been allocated for the FARMER program and $348 million has been awarded, funding 8,057 projects.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Senator Melissa Hurtado, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: AB 2313 Hearing Date: 6/18/24
Author: | Bennett | ||
Version: | 2/12/24 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Reichel Everhart | ||
Subject: Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program
SUMMARY
:
This bill would establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program as part of the Farmer Equity Act of 2017. The Program will provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
:
Existing law:
- Establishes the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 which requires the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the development, adoption, implementation, enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, policies, and programs, as specified (Food and Agricultural Code Section 510-511).
- Establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program as a statewide grant program to support local efforts to establish agricultural conservation easements and land improvement projects for the purpose of preserving important agricultural land resources and enhancing sustainable agricultural uses (Public Resources Code Sections 10200 – 10264).
- Establishes the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program which provides funding through local air districts for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations (AB 109, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2017 and AB 134, Chapter 254, Statutes of 2017).
PROPOSED LAW
:
This bill:
- States CDFA, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Producer Advisory Committee, and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee, shall establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program (Program).
- Defines activities that are eligible for funding, including:
- Developing and expanding equipment sharing programs, including but not limited to, the purchase and repair of tools, equipment, infrastructure, and associated administrative costs.
- Providing technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, training on the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure.
- Providing a direct grant to an entity that will assist in cooperative development for farmers.
- States the Program shall provide financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, then, if moneys are available, limited resource farmers or ranchers, then, if moneys are still available, to entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
- States the Program shall prioritize financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less.
- States entities eligible for financial assistance shall include:
- Resource conservation districts.
- County agricultural commissioners.
- The University of California Cooperative Extension.
- Tribal entities.
- Small and underserved farmer cooperatives.
- Nonprofit organizations serving socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or limited resource farmers or ranchers.
- Establishes the application shall include, but is not limited to, a description of how the applicant will operate an equipment sharing program including a list and description of the tools, equipment, and infrastructure the applicant will purchase, a description of the lending program, and a description of how the lending program will be maintained after the period of financial assistance expires.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
According to the author:
“After the purchase of land, farm equipment is the largest capital investment for small farmers. These folks often have less cash-on-hand to invest in the equipment they need. My bill facilitates a heavy equipment tool sharing program where farmers can temporarily borrow the equipment they need. It is important that we protect our small agricultural operations because they are stewards of biological diversity, healthy soils, and many other conservation practices.”
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers, co-sponsors of the legislation, wrote in support of the bill stating:
“The equipment sharing program that AB 2313 creates would directly contribute to the creation of thriving regional food ecosystems where small and BIPOC farmers and land stewards can begin to build wealth and self-determination. BIPOC farmers own less land, make less money and receive less government support than their white counterparts. With 1 in 5 farmers identifying as BIPOC 3 in California, the state needs to be investing in programs that help these farmers build wealth, and AB 2313 is one of those programs.”
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION:
None received.
COMMENTS
:
On July 3, 2023, this Committee heard Assemblymember Bennett’s AB 552 which would have established this program. The bill was passed out of this committee 3-1.
Studies worldwide have noted the benefits of equipment sharing programs for agriculture. In 2019, Future Harvest, a membership nonprofit in the state of Maryland began assisting their member farms to “be leaders and practical laboratories for developing and championing practices that lead to commercial success through the lens of protecting the bay.” The research revealed access to tools and equipment could be a limiting factor on both new and established farms. As a result of these findings, Future Harvest created the Tool and Equipment Sharing and Rental Platform to facilitate farmer lending, renting, or custom hire, with the aim of increasing access to the tools of the trade (https://futureharvest.org/resources/resources-for-farmers/tools-sharing-rental/).
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is currently piloting an equipment sharing program housed in the Healthy Soils Program (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/docs/HSP_Block_Grant_2023RGA.pdf).
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program which provides funding for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations. The FARMER program is handled through local air districts who select which projects to fund (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/farmer-program).
RELATED LEGISLATION
:
AB 552 (2023: Vetoed): Would have established the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program within CDFA.
PRIOR ACTIONS
:
Assembly Floor: | 60 - 7 |
Assembly Appropriations Committee: | 11 - 4 |
Assembly Agriculture Committee: | 9 - 1 |
SUPPORT
:
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (Co-Sponsor)
California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN) (Co-Sponsor)
350 Sacramento
Agricultural Institute of Marin
Agriculture and Land-based Training
Association
Air’s Wild Acres
Alchemist CDC
Amador Resource Conservation District
American Farmland Trust
Asrys Bridge
Barbell Farm
Beeworthy Farms
Belong Farm
Black Thumb Farm
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
California Center for Cooperative Development
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
California Farmlink
California Food and Farming Network
California Native Seed Supply Collaborative
California Nurses for Environmental Health & Justice
California Plowshares
Carbon Cycle Institute
Center for Food Safety; the
Center for Land-based Learning
Central California Environmental Justice Network
Ceres Community Project
Chiatri De Laguna Farm
Climate Center, the
Collins Farm, the
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District
Dream Life Farms
Evans Estate
Farm View Youth Learning Center
Farm-ng
Fibershed
Foodshed Coop
Foodwise
Fresh Approach
Funders for Regenerative Agriculture
Gemperle Orchards
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District
Green Lot
Greenbelt Alliance
Hen and Harvest Farm
Hummingbird Ridge Farm
K & K Ranch
Kuni Bea Farms
Loca Vivant Kitchen
Lopez Organic Farms
Marin County Resource Conservation District
Marin Food Policy Council
Mixing Bowl LLC, the
Monterey Bay Farms
Nextgen California
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Pesticide Action Network
Pie Ranch
Pittsburg Unified School District
Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County
Praxis Project. the
Roots of Change
Sacramento Food Policy Council
Sacramento Valley Soil Hub
San Diego Food System Alliance
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network
Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm
SEE-LA
Solano Resource Conservation District
Soletrac
Soul Food Farm
Sunlife Farms INC.
Sustaina
Sustainable Agriculture Education
Sierra Harvest
Toluma Farms
Trinity County Reource Conservation District
Upper Salinas – Las Tablas Resource Conservation District
Veggielution
Welkin Farms
White Buffalo Land Trust
Zero Footprint
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 2313
Author:(Bennett)
As Introduced Ver:February 12, 2024
Majority vote
SUMMARY
This bill require the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in collaboration with certain entities, to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program (RFECRA Program), as specified.
Major Provisions
- Establishes the RFECR program within CDFA.
- Requires CDFA to provide technical assistance, including application assistance, and grants in order to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFR) and limited resource farmers and ranchers (LRFR).
- Requires that eligible entities for RFECR grants include resource conservation districts, county agricultural commissioners, the University of California Cooperative Extension, tribal entities, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving SDFR or LRFR, or both.
- 4Requires eligible activities of the RFECR program to include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
- Grants to eligible entities to develop and expand equipment sharing including, as specified
- Grants to eligible entities to provide technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, as specified.
- Allows CDFA to expand or amend an existing grant program to meet the requirements of this section.
- Requires funding for RFECR program be made available upon appropriation by the Legislature.
COMMENTS
Small-scale, SDFR, LRFR, and beginning farmers and ranchers face significant barriers in accessing infrastructure resources. After land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is the second largest capital investment and remains difficult to get to for small, underserved and beginning farmers with limited cash flow for major purchases. These small-scale farming operations require a greater variety of costly equipment and some high-capital equipment is only used a few times a year. Cooperatively managed equipment sharing can help address these infrastructure barriers and increase farm viability, while supporting implementation of conservation practices and maximizing efficient use of equipment.
Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment from regional agricultural centers such as fairgrounds, universities, cooperative extension offices, farmer cooperatives, and resource conservation districts (RCD). These programs aim to alleviate the financial burden for farmers, increase on-farm safety, reduce emissions, incentivize conservation practices, and provide necessary resources to producers. There is evidence of successful state-government-run equipment sharing programs in states like the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission equipment sharing and rental program and several of New Hampshire's County Conservation Districts have equipment rental programs to allow farmers to borrow specialized equipment at a low cost for soil health and nutrient management practices.
According to the Author
This bill will support small farm equipment lending programs across the state by funding both existing and new programs to purchase equipment, infrastructure, maintenance, and training, as well as some personnel costs. Furthermore, this program would support essential training for farmers on new and innovative small-farm equipment, equipment maintenance, as well as cooperative development on how to participate and design farmer cooperatives.
Arguments in Support
This bill prioritizes farmers that face the highest barriers - underserved farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers. As climate impacts worsen, this bill would provide a critical bridge for farmers who are seeking access to needed equipment for conservation practices, wildfire mitigation, and expanding their economic viability, but currently face financial barriers.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, this bill has cost pressures to CDFA of an unknown amount, likely in the low to tens of millions of dollars, to provide funding and administrative support for the Program (General Fund, special fund such as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, or bond funds.) The bill does not indicate a funding source or amount. Consequently, CDFA is unable to determine its resulting workload. The department notes that, generally, the resources required to administer the Program would be commensurate to its size and duration. However, CDFA indicates it would require, at a minimum, $400,000 annually for two new staff positions over the life of the Program.
According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.
VOTES
ASM AGRICULTURE: 9-1-0
YES: Soria, Alanis, Aguiar-Curry, Connolly, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Ta, Villapudua, Wood
NO: Sanchez
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-4-0
YES: Wicks, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Pellerin, Villapudua
NO: Sanchez, Dixon, Jim Patterson, Ta
UPDATED
VERSION: February 12, 2024
CONSULTANT: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084 FN: 0003010
Date of Hearing: April 24, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2313
Author:(Bennett) – As Introduced Ver:February 12, 2024
Policy Committee: | Agriculture | Vote: | 9 - 1 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill establishes the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program (Program) at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA.)
Specifically, this bill, among other things:
- Requires CDFA, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Producer Advisory Committee, and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee, to establish the Program to provide financial and technical assistance to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) and limited-resource farmers and ranchers (LRFRs.)
- Specifies activities that are eligible for funding, including equipment sharing programs, technical assistance, and direct grants to entities that will assist in cooperative development for farmers, as specified.
- Specifies entities that are eligible for financial assistance under the Program and requires the Program to both prioritize financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less and provide financial assistance as follows:
- Provide financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit SDFRs.
- If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to a, above, provide financial assistance for projects that primarily benefit LRFRs.
- If there are moneys available after providing financial assistance pursuant to both a and b, above, provide financial assistance to eligible entities that serve SDFR and LRFR.
- Specifies requirements for applications for financial assistance for equipment sharing programs.
- Requires the Farm Equity Advisor at CDFA to ensure that the Program meets the objectives of this bill.
- Sunsets the provisions of this bill on January 1, 2030.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Cost pressures to CDFA of an unknown amount, likely in the low to tens of millions of dollars, to provide funding and administrative support for the Program (General Fund, special fund such as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, or bond funds.) The bill does not indicate a funding source or amount. Consequently, CDFA is unable to determine its resulting workload. The department notes that, generally, the resources required to administer the Program would be commensurate to its size and duration. However, CDFA indicates it would require, at a minimum, $400,000 annually for two new staff positions over the life of the Program.
According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.
COMMENTS:
1) Purpose. According to the author:
My bill facilitates a heavy equipment tool sharing program where farmers can temporarily borrow the equipment they need. It is important that we protect our small agricultural operations because they are stewards of biological diversity, healthy soils, and many other conservation practices.
2) Background.
Equipment Costs. According to a coalition of farmers and food system organizations writing in support of this bill, after land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is typically the largest capital investment for farmers. Access to tools and equipment can be a limiting factor for both new and established farms. 75% of California farms operate with net cash farm income gains under $25,000 or with net losses, making high-value equipment difficult to purchase. Equipment costs vary widely based on the specific kind of farm equipment. Some examples provided by the sponsors of the bill include:
- No-till drill: $7,000 to $22,000
- Compost spreader: $2,000 to $30,000
- Wood chipper: $6,000 to $50,000
- Cold storage: $15,000 to $100,000+
- Packing machine: $10,000 to $30,000
Equipment Sharing Programs. According to supporters of this bill, equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment and can facilitate conservation practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide necessary resources to build regional food economies. State government-run and nonprofit-run equipment sharing programs exist in the states of Maryland and New Hampshire as well as in Sweden, Germany, and Canada.
FARMER Program. The Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program at the Air Resources Board funds purchases of cleaner agriculture-related equipment like agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations. Local air districts receive funds based on a formula and award them to farmers and agricultural projects. ARB added two additional project categories in April 2022, namely zero-emission agricultural equipment and the Used Agricultural Equipment for Small Producers Pilot Project in the San Joaquin Valley, which allows small producers that may not have the means to purchase new equipment to replace their more-polluting equipment with cleaner equipment. As of September 2023, the Legislature had allocated $760 million for the FARMER program.
3) Related Legislation. AB 552 (Bennett) of the current legislative session requires CDFA, upon appropriation by the Legislature and in collaboration with certain entities, to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program. AB 552 was vetoed.
Analysis Prepared by: Nikita Koraddi / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 10, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Esmeralda Soria, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2313
Author:(Bennett) – As Introduced Ver:February 12, 2024
SUBJECT: Farmer Equity Act of 2017: Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program
SUMMARY: This bill require the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in collaboration with certain entities, to establish the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program (RFECRA Program), as specified. Specifically, this bill:
- Establishes the RFECR program within CDFA.
- Requires CDFA to provide technical assistance, including application assistance, and grants in order to support regional farm equipment sharing and enhance cooperative benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFR) and limited resource farmers and ranchers (LRFR).
- Requires that eligible entities for RFECR grants include resource conservation districts, county agricultural commissioners, the University of California Cooperative Extension, tribal entities, small and underserved farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving SDFR or LRFR, or both.
- Requires eligible activities of the RFECR program to include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
- Grants to eligible entities to develop and expand equipment sharing including, but not limited to, both of the following:
- The purchase of tools, equipment, and infrastructure to support conservation practices including, but not limited to, soil health practices, water conservation, and wildfire resilience.
- The purchase of tools, equipment, and infrastructure to enhance regional food and fiber systems and cooperative resources for SDFR and LRFR.
- Grants to eligible entities to provide technical assistance and support, including, but not limited to, any of the following.
- Application assistance.
- Cooperative development.
- Training on the use and maintenance of tools, equipment, and infrastructure.
- Outreach to ensure direct and meaningful benefits to SDFR and LRFR.
- Requires applicant to provide CDFA all of the following information:
- A description of the types of tools, equipment, and infrastructure the applicant will purchase.
- A description of the lending program, including safeguards for the long-term benefits of any tools, equipment, or infrastructure purchased, expected benefits of the lending program, and the types of farmers the applicant aims to serve, including specific outreach that will be provided to SDFR and LRFR.
- A description of how the lending program will be maintained after the period of the grant expires.
- Documentation that the lending program’s tools, equipment, and infrastructure will be primarily used on farms or ranches that are 500 acres or less.
- The type of technical assistance to be provided during the grant period including, but not limited to, cooperative development, equipment maintenance of tools, and small farm tool demonstrations.
- Requires CDFA, in providing grants pursuant, to do both of the following:
- Provide grants to eligible entities that primarily serve SDFR.
- If there are moneys available after providing grants, provide grants to eligible entities that primarily serve LRFR.
- Allows CDFA to expand or amend an existing grant program to meet the requirements of this section.
- Requires funding for RFECR program be made available upon appropriation by the Legislature.
- Defines the following:
- “Limited resource farmer or rancher” has the same definition as in Section 760.107 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- “Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” has the same meaning as defined in Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes the CDFA (Food and Agricultural Code Sections 101 and 102).
- Establishes the Farmer Equity Act of 2017, which requires the CDFA to ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, and policies and programs, as specified (Food and Agricultural Code Section 510).
- Establishes the California Farmland Conservancy Program as a statewide grant program to support local efforts to establish agricultural conservation easements and land improvement projects for the purpose of preserving important agricultural land resources and enhancing sustainable agricultural issues (Public Resources Code Sections 10200 – 10264).
- Establishes the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program, which provides funding through local air districts for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations (Chapter 249, Statutes of 2017 and Chapter 254, Statutes of 2017).
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.
COMMENTS: California is the largest agriculture producing state in the nation, with over 400 crops. California farms are smaller than the national average. The most recent USDA Agriculture census showed that 65% of the farms in California are under 50 acres. While all farming in California faces numerous issues such as labor, regulations, equipment and land cost, not to mention fire, drought and floods, this issues affect small farms more intensely.
Small-scale, SDFR, LRFR, and beginning farmers and ranchers face significant barriers in accessing infrastructure resources. After land, the purchase of farm equipment and infrastructure is the second largest capital investment and remains difficult to get to for small, underserved and beginning farmers with limited cash flow for major purchases. These small-scale farming operations require a greater variety of costly equipment and some high-capital equipment is only used a few times a year. Cooperatively managed equipment sharing can help address these infrastructure barriers and increase farm viability, while supporting implementation of conservation practices and maximizing efficient use of equipment.
The appeal of cutting equipment investment costs has driven the development of standard equipment sharing organizations around the globe. In Sweden, machine rings (equipment sharing groups) started at the beginning of the 1990s and now number 20 local associations with about 5000 members (about 6% of Swedish farmers) - while Germany has about five times that amount of equipment sharing activity. Canadian farmers in Ontario and Saskatchewan have formed numerous machinery cooperatives. However, the US is comparatively far behind. The reason seems to be largely a cultural one: while equipment-sharing has been proven successful elsewhere, there is a persistent impression that tool sharing is unlikely to work or not worth the hassle.
Equipment sharing programs allow farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment from regional agricultural centers such as fairgrounds, universities, cooperative extension offices, farmer cooperatives, and resource conservation districts (RCD). These programs aim to alleviate the financial burden for farmers, increase on-farm safety, reduce emissions, incentivize conservation practices, and provide necessary resources to producers. There is evidence of successful state-government-run equipment sharing programs in states like the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission equipment sharing and rental program and several of New Hampshire’s County Conservation Districts have equipment rental programs to allow farmers to borrow specialized equipment at a low cost for soil health and nutrient management practices.
This bill hopes to create the RFECR program at CDFA to facilitate a competitive grant program. Eligible groups for the grants include, but not limited to RCDs, UC Cooperative Extension offices, Agricultural Commissioners, Tribal Communities & Governments, as well as appropriate non-profit organizations and farmer cooperatives. According to supporters, this bill will support small farm equipment lending programs across the state by funding both existing and new programs to purchase equipment, infrastructure, maintenance, and training, as well as some personnel costs. Furthermore, this program would support essential training for farmers on new and innovative small-farm equipment, equipment maintenance, as well as cooperative development on how to participate and design farmer cooperatives. This bill makes SDFR and LRFR a priority for the equipment-sharing program and will work to ensure there is technical assistance to aid in the success of those who use the RFECR program.
Supporters state that this bill establishes a program to support equipment sharing for farmers and ranchers that face the highest barriers in accessing the equipment they need to build climate resilience and regional food and fiber systems. This program would provide funds to eligible entities, such as resource conservation districts, County agricultural commissioners, University of California Cooperative Extension offices, tribal entities, farmer cooperatives, and nonprofits to develop and maintain equipment sharing programs for their constituencies. The program would also support technical assistance for maintenance of tools, tool demonstrations, and farmer cooperatives. This bill prioritizes farmers that face the highest barriers - underserved farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers. As climate impacts worsen, this bill would provide a critical bridge for farmers who are seeking access to needed equipment for conservation practices, wildfire mitigation, and expanding their economic viability, but currently face financial barriers.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
350 Sacramento
Agriculture and Land-based Training Association
Air's Wild Acres
Amador Resource Conservation District
American Farmland Trust
Asrys Bridge
Barbell Farm
Beeworthy Farms
Belong Farm
Black Thumb Farm
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
California Center for Cooperative Development
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
California Climate & Agriculture Network (CALCAN)
California Climate and Agriculture Network
California Farmlink
California Food and Farming Network
California Native Seed Supply Collaborative
California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice
California Plowshares
California State Grange
Californians Against Waste
Carbon Cycle Institute
Center for Land-based Learning
Central California Environmental Justice Network
Chiatri De Laguna Farm
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District
Dream Life Farms
Esperanza Community Farms
Evans Estate
Farm View Youth Learning Center
Farm-ng
Fibershed
Flourish Local
Foodshed Coop
Foodwise
Fresh Approach
Funders for Regenerative Agriculture
Gemperle Orchards
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District
Green Lot
Greenbelt Alliance
Hen and Harvest Farm
Hummingbird Ridge Farm
K & K Ranch
Kuni Bea Farms
Loca Vivant Kitchen
Lopez Organic Farms
Lost Coast Ranch
Marin Resource Conservation District
Mockingbird Flora
Monterey Bay Farms
Nextgen California
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
Pesticide Action Network
Pie Ranch
Pittsburg Unified School District
Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County
Roots of Change
Sacramento Valley Soil Hub
Santa Barbara County Food Action Network
Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm
See-la
Solano Resource Conservation District
Solectrac
Sonoma County Farm Trails
Soul Food Farm
Sunlife Farms INC.
Sustaina
Sustainable Agriculture Education
The Climate Center
The Collins Farm
Toluma Farms
Tomkat Ranch
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
Upper Salinas - Las Tablas Resource Conservation District
Veggielution
Welkin Farms
White Buffalo Land Trust
Zero Foodprint
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
Bill Author
