The Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund gives direct financial assistance to organic producers who have experienced disaster. In 2022, we have partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer additional drought relief grants specifically for dairy producers in California.
If you—or an organic dairy producer you know—have experienced hardship during the 2022 calendar year, we encourage you to apply for financial assistance through the Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund. We are currently accepting applications, and the deadline is noon on December 9, 2022.
Throughout the nation, farmers are experiencing severe challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather patterns, increased duration and number of natural disasters, and financial losses. Now more than ever, organic producers need access to both immediate and long-term financial support to prepare for and recover from natural disasters and economic loss. This grant cycle we are focusing on supporting California dairy farmers affected by the drought.
Applying for financial assistance is easy—simply complete our online application by noon on December 9, 2022. Documentation of your economic loss and current organic certification is required. Awards will be based on need and available funds. Socially disadvantaged dairy farmers (as described in CDFA’s Farmer Equity Report*) will be prioritized.
Eligibility Criteria
Bricmont Hardship Assistance Dairy Fund applicants must
- be a certified organic dairy operation in good standing;
- be based in California;
- provide a valid organic certificate;
- demonstrate severe economic loss experienced in the current calendar year;
- submit a complete description of hardship endured;
- submit supporting evidence and financial documentation of loss resulting from the hardship;
- if awarded, agree to submit a final progress report 12 months after award.
Eligible expenses include but are not limited to
- increased feed costs
- diminished grazing land
- herd reduction (describe previous production capacity and current production capacity)
- cost of hauling water for livestock
- increased electric utility bills of 50% or more due to increased electricity rates
- surface water costs if increased from previous year,
- lowering ag well pumps if a primary source of water is lost
- emergency upgrades to irrigation system (paired with conservation) if not covered through CDFA OEFI programs or USDA programs and for other emergency scenarios.
- decreased crop yields/crop loss due to less water available or having to fallow land
- drilling of new wells or repairs on existing wells if sole source of water for operation. To be eligible, an applicant must provide written verification from a Groundwater Sustainability Agency managing the basin or area of the basin where the well is located or proposed to be located approving the action, per Executive Order N-7-22
Grant amounts range from $5,000–$20,000 for dairy drought relief.
Applications must be completed online no later than noon (PDT) on December 9, 2022. Incomplete applications or applications received after this date will not be considered.
For more information and/or assistance, contact Larissa Hernandez at lhernandez@ccof.org or (831) 346-6324.
*CDFA definition of socially disadvantaged groups: “AB 1348 states that a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. A ‘socially disadvantaged group’ means a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination. These groups include the following: African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Female farmers and ranchers of color.”