financial assistance

USDA Farm Ownership and Operating Loan Lending Rates Announced

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for March 2024, which are effective March 1, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operations, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs.

“I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. 

Conservation Grants Offered in Marin County

Regenerative practices begin with soil health. Photo by Liz Birnbaum at The Curated Feast

The Marin Agricultural Land Trust’s (MALT’s) small grants program is opening a round of funding in late February that will focus on protecting biodiversity in agricultural working lands. 

The goal of this small grants cycle is to provide resources to help agriculturalists promote biodiversity in their working lands.

USDA Seeks Applications for Value-Added Grant Program To Help Farmers and Ranchers Seek New Markets

Charolette Epps, CCOF Foundation grantee, in the greenhouse with her variety of sweet potato plants

The USDA is now accepting applications for grants to help agricultural producers maximize the value of their products and venture into new and better markets. 

Electronic applications are due April 11, 2024, and paper applications must be postmarked by April 16, 2024. More information on submission dates below.

Want To Make Energy-Conserving Improvements? Low-Interest Financing Available

As utility companies announce significant increases in energy costs, now is a good time to consider installing energy-conserving improvements in your farm or business. 

CCOF will host a webinar on the State of California’s GoGreen Business Energy Financing program on Tuesday, February 6, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

USDA Accepting Requests for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021 may be eligible for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. This program is an important step in delivering on USDA’s commitment of providing financial assistance to those who have faced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs.

CCOF Develops Disaster Response Protocol to Assist Impacted Organic Operations

(Wildfire remains Solano, CA by Fusaromike via Getty Images)

CCOF has long offered support to its certified organic members who have experienced losses due to natural disasters including wildfires, earthquakes, and floods. In response to increasing frequency of such disasters, CCOF has created a communications and outreach strategy that will be initiated when a state or federal disaster has been declared. 

Program Postponed: Applications Now Being Accepted for CDFA State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program

(Organic pepper plants with drip irrigation system courtesy of Diyana Dimitrova)

Note as of 12/19/2023 - CDFA is pausing the SWEEP solicitation. Please refer to the SWEEP website for further updates: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/ 

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Financial Assistance Available for CCOF-Certified Underserved Farmers, Ranchers, and Processors

Ensuring equitable access to organic certification is a priority for CCOF. In one strategy to level the playing field, we are introducing our financial assistance program. Specific discounts vary (see below for more details), but financial aid packages include reduced rates for new application fees, annual fees, and/or other specific certification charges. 
We want to help you be successful! Please apply for financial aid if you or your operation falls into one of the following categories: