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CCOF FOUNDATION GRANTS

Hardship Assistance Fund

Direct financial support for organic producers

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Close-up of zucchini plant leaves affected by water scarcity and drought conditions in a dry, arid environment illustrating the impact of climate change on agriculture.

Giving direct financial assistance to small and medium scale producers

The Hardship Assistance Fund gives $5,000 – $20,000 direct financial disaster assistance grants for hardship related to extreme weather or climate impacts to farmers and ranchers.

CCOF has partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer extreme weather and climate impact grants through the CUSP.

These are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of extreme weather and climate impacts.

Extreme weather and climate impact relief funding is open to organic producers in California; applications accepted from non-certified organic operations.*

Grant amounts range between $5,000 to $20,000.

Currently Open:

    •  Extreme Weather and Climate Impact Relief for Farmers and Ranchers in California

About the Grant

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Hardship Assistance Fund applicant requirements:

  • Be a small or medium scale California agricultural producer, defined by this program as any farmer making up to $400,000 or dairy operation making up to $1,000,000 in annual gross sales.
  • Organic operations required to provide a valid third-party certified organic certificate.
  • Submit a complete and detailed description of hardship endured
  • Submit supporting financial documentation of economic loss (Ex: Profit and Loss Statements)
  • Grant funds cannot be used for organic certification fees
  • Submit receipts and/or verification of loss
  • Submit a final progress report six months after grant is awarded (for grant recipients only)

Timeline and Details:

  • Applications must be completed online
    • Click  here to review a sample application
  • Applications periods are on a quarterly basis
    • Granting rounds will open on the first Monday, and close the last Friday of each quarter
      • 2026:
        • July 6 – September 25
        • October 5 – December 11
      • 2027:
        • January 10 – March 10
        • April 10 – June 10
        • July 10 – September 10
        • October 10 – December 10
    • Awards granted the following quarter
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee funding

Applications accepted quarterly. 

Review Sample Application

Allowable and Unallowable Costs

  • Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to:

    • Infrastructure damage/loss
    • Equipment damage/loss
    • Expenses associated with soil erosion/mud or water damage and/or clean-up/debris removal
    • Purchase or rental of flood control equipment
    • Replacement of livestock feed, fertilizer, or other farm inputs or soil inputs (including compost and cover crop)
    • Livestock mortality/beehive loss/livestock veterinary expenses or transportation/moving costs
    • Water/soil testing
    • Replacement of crops: trees, nursery stock, perennial plant losses or payments to services for tree removal or replacement
    • Crop Loss/Replacement: Annual vegetable production, perennial crops, and cover crops due to extreme weather (flooding, extreme heat/sunburn, wildfire)
    • Labor
    • Land Tenure

    *Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to:

  • Infrastructure damage/loss
  • Equipment damage/loss
  • Expenses associated with soil erosion/mud or water damage and/or clean-up/debris removal
  • Purchase or rental of flood control equipment
  • Replacement of livestock feed, fertilizer, or other farm inputs or soil inputs (including compost and cover crop)
  • Livestock mortality/beehive loss/livestock veterinary expenses or transportation/moving costs
  • Water/soil testing
  • Replacement of crops: trees, nursery stock, perennial plant losses or payments to services for tree removal or replacement
  • Crop Loss/Replacement: Annual vegetable production, perennial crops, and cover crops due to extreme weather (flooding, extreme heat/sunburn, wildfire)
  • Labor
  • Land Tenure

*Extreme weather and climate impact grants: applications accepted from non-certified organic operations, but organic operations will be prioritized.

Accepting applications during the following dates:

  • 2026:
    • October 5 – December 11
  • 2027:
    • January 10 – March 10
    • April 10 – June 10
    • July 10 – September 10
    • October 10 – December 10

Applications must be completed online

  • Applications periods are on a quarterly basis
    • Awards granted the following quarter
  • Only fully complete applications are reviewed
  • Once applications are initiated, they should be completed by the quarterly deadline
  • Funds are provided as direct assistance
    • Grant amounts range from $5,000 – $20,000

The application is available in both English and Spanish.

Accepting applications for farmers and ranchers in California who have been affected by extreme weather and climate impacts.

Community is at the heart of the CCOF Foundation and we’re here to support you. If you have questions, please reach out to grants@ccof.org or 831-346-6324. Se habla español.

Review Sample Application Email Us

We are so deeply grateful for this grant!  It will be a key factor in our farm’s survival.  Blessings to all of you who made this possible.  ”

Patricia Rockwell , CCOF grantee
owner of Green Gift Gardens

Our dairy means everything to us, and we vow to keep it going even in the hard times. The past few years have been hard, this last year especially so. The grant we were awarded by the Bricmont Fund came at exactly the right time, giving us much needed relief. ”

Marissa Silva , CCOF Grantee
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