Hardship Assistance Fund

The Hardship Assistance Fund, administered by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), provides direct financial relief to organic farmers and ranchers facing challenges due to extreme weather or climate-related impacts. This grant opportunity falls under the Climate Assistance program within the California Underserved and Small Producers (CUSP) framework. It is designed to offer reimbursement-based financial support to those who have incurred specific expenses as a direct result of climate-related events such as drought, floods, wildfires, or other natural disasters. CCOF, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing organic agriculture, collaborates with CDFA to ensure that the funding is directed toward maintaining the sustainability and resilience of California’s organic agricultural sector. The Hardship Assistance Fund specifically targets small to medium-scale producers — defined for this purpose as farms earning up to $400,000 or dairies with up to $1,000,000 in annual gross revenue — who are certified organic by any USDA-accredited third-party certifier. While applications from non-certified operations are accepted, preference is given to certified organic producers. Applicants may receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. These funds are not general-purpose subsidies but are meant as reimbursements for losses or expenses tied directly to weather or climate events. They cannot be used to cover certification fees. To qualify, applicants must submit a detailed narrative describing the hardship endured, accompanied by relevant financial documentation, such as profit and loss statements and receipts, to substantiate the economic impact. Additionally, recipients are required to submit a progress report six months after receiving the grant. Applications are accepted online on a quarterly basis, with four cycles throughout the year. Each application window opens on the first Monday of the quarter and closes on the last Friday. For 2026, the application periods are as follows: January 5 – March 27, April 6 – June 26, July 6 – September 25, and October 5 – December 11. Awards are disbursed in the quarter following the submission period. Applications must be completed in full to be considered, and are available in both English and Spanish to ensure broader accessibility. While the fund does not require a matching contribution from the applicant, it does mandate specific eligibility and reporting requirements. Contact for inquiries is available via email at [email protected] or by phone at 831-346-6324. Spanish-language assistance is also offered. All applications must be submitted through CCOF’s online portal, and applicants are encouraged to review a sample application prior to submission. The fund demonstrates CCOF’s continued commitment to supporting organic producers during difficult times and ensuring that their operations can recover and remain viable in the face of climate adversity. The recurring nature of the grant, with quarterly application windows, reflects CCOF’s recognition of the ongoing and evolving nature of climate challenges. This structured yet flexible timeline allows producers to apply as new impacts emerge, ensuring timely support. Evaluation is primarily based on completeness, eligibility, and documentation of loss, and awards are contingent upon fund availability and need. The CCOF Foundation’s broader goal is to foster resilience and sustainability in organic farming, making this grant a critical component of its advocacy and support ecosystem.

Preference given to certified organic producers; all applications must be complete to be reviewed.