Here at the RCD we pride ourselves on the on-the-ground work we do to support producers in Contra Costa County. However, we recognize that funding allocated to food and farming programs at the state level can deeply impact both our programming and ability to support farmers as well as the viability of farming operations throughout the state. With that in mind, we have been keeping an eye on a variety of bills included in California’s 2023-2024 budget –the majority of which were signed off on by Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and state lawmakers on June 26th and June 30th,2023.

Please note the following is basic information gathered on several bills we have been watching/are in support of - and is not meant to detail the budget process (we’re still learning too!). To learn more about the California Budget Process, head here. The following bills listed in particular were co-sponsored by our friends at California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF); to read more about each bill head to their respective websites.

AB 552 - The Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Program aka The Cooperative Tool Sharing Bill.

AB 552 was authored by Assembly member Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), with the intent of creating a regional farmer equipment and cooperative resources assistance pilot program. The bill proposes creating a new program at the Department of Conservation that would fund equipment sharing programs - allowing farmers to borrow or lease high-value equipment from eligible entities that purchase and maintain equipment for healthy soil practices, as well as activities like planting, harvesting, storage, and processing.

End of June Update: This bill has passed the Senate Ag Committee and is headed to the Senate Government and Finance Committee.

AB 408 - The Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024 aka The Foodand Farm Resilience Bond.

AB 408 is authored by Assembly member Lori Wilson  (D-Suisun City), and proposes a $3.4 billion bond for the November 2024 ballot that would help build a more resilient food system. This funding would be centered on four key priorities:

●       Sustainable agriculture

●       Farmworker well-being

●       Healthy, sustainable food access

●      Regional food infrastructure

This bond is co-sponsored by members of the Food and Farm Resilience Coalition.

End of June Update: This bill has passed the Senate Ag Committee and is headed to the Senate Government and Finance Committee.

AB 1197 - The Agricultural Protection Planning Grant Program: Local Food Producers aka The Local Food Producers Bill

AB 1197 was authored by Assembly member Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara), and is meant to help identify and create a legal definition for “local food producers”, or independently-owned farms operating on less than 500 acres who also sell directly to their community. Once these farms are defined and identified, farm-advocacy organizations would work with these producers to expand their access to direct markets for their products and further support the local food system.

End of June Update: This bill has passed the Senate Ag Committee and is headed to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water.