On January 8, California Governor Gavin Newsom released a $227 billion proposed budget for the 2021–2022 fiscal year. Despite concern over the effect of COVID-19 response on the state’s budget deficit, the Governor’s proposal includes healthy funding levels for several critical agriculture programs, including the following:
- $3.75 million ongoing funding to the California Department of Food and Agriculture to support integrated pest management strategies and a new, tiered approach to the pesticide mill fee that taxes pesticides based on toxicity levels
- $6.7 million for UC Cooperative Extension for technical assistance and grants for advisors to small, midsized, and underserved farms
- $30 million for Healthy Soils Program Grants ($15 million for 2020–2021 and $15 million for 2021–2022)
- $60 million for sustainable groundwater management grants ($20 million for 2020–2021 and $20 million for 2021–2022)
- $40 million for State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program Grants ($20 million for 2020–2021 and $20 million for 2021–2022)
- $10 million for the state’s Farm to School Program, which will help schools procure local food from California farmers
- $6 million for regulatory alignment and efficiencies
The CCOF policy team will monitor budget negotiations as they progress. If you have any questions about CCOF’s advocacy work, contact us at policy@ccof.org.