CUSP Program
NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY OPENING SOON
PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR MORE DETAILS!
NEXT ROUND STARTING FEBRUARY 15TH, 2025
IERCD has partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer extreme weather relief grants through the California Small and Underserved Producer Program. These are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of drought, flooding, heavy rain, pest quarantine, wildfire, heat waves, severe windstorms, & extreme cold. Through this program, direct relief funds will be available to support small and socially disadvantaged producers recovering from extreme climate related impacts, such as increased utility costs, crop loss, debris removal, pest quarantines measures, & equipment damage,
Grant amounts range between $2,500-$20,000.
Application Timeline ROUND 4:
- Open Feb 15th – March 31st
- Applications Reviewed in April
- Awardees Notified in April
Eligibility requirements
- Farmers and ranchers who are actively working the land, derive a portion of their income from their own farm business, and are involved in day-to-day operations on the farm are eligible.
- Funding is prioritized for small-scale operations and for underserved (socially disadvantaged) communities as described in CDFA’s Farmer Equity Report.
- Applicants are not eligible for this grant if you received a CDFA CUSP economic relief grant from CAFF, ABIRC, CCOF, or Peoples Land Stewardship Fund within the last 12 months
- Producers may only receive a maximum CUSP funding of $20,000 every 12 months. IERCD will cross-check applicants with CDFA to ensure no repeat funds are awarded within that time period.
Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to:
Download PDF Table here - See eligible expenses and acceptable documentation options:
CUSP Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts Relief Eligible Practices Table.pdf- Infrastructure Damage/Loss: Buildings, greenhouses, packing or storage facilities, hoop houses, shade structures, roads and pathways on farm property. Damage to greenhouse/high tunnel infrastructure due to extreme weather events. Emergency upgrades (impermanent) to infrastructure/equipment to prevent
losses. - Equipment Damage/Loss: Tractors, ATV/four-wheelers, small-scale mechanized equipment such as rototillers and walk-behind tractors, electric tools, hand tools, implements, fencing, irrigation (including poly pipe/plastic drip tape/pipe connectors), plastic mulch, well pump damage or loss.
- Expenses associated with soil erosion/mud or water damage and/or clean up/debris removal: Affected areas of farm property, water removal/pumping services, generator purchase or rental, payments to service providers for clean-up/debris removal, survey companies, regrading of roads, repair of culverts or reinforcements after extreme weather events.
- Purchase or rental of flood control equipment: sub pump, sandbags, blocks, or bricks to reinforce/protect fields, retaining walls, or infrastructure/levy repair.
- Replacement of livestock feed, fertilizer, or other farm inputs or soil inputs: including compost and cover crop, destroyed by extreme weather events.
- Livestock mortality/beehive loss/livestock veterinary expenses or transportation/moving costs: due to extreme weather events, decreased pasture or water availability.
- Water/soil testing: to ensure food safety compliance after flood events.
- Replacement of crops: trees, nursery stock, perennial plant losses or payments to services for tree removal or replacement after extreme weather event.
- Crop Loss/Replacement: Annual vegetable production, perennial crops, and cover crops due to extreme weather (flooding, extreme heat/sunburn, wildfire): partial or full loss of crop in the field, damage that renders crop unable to be sold, inability or delays to plant/harvest due to extreme weather. Loss of yield/sales due to food safety concerns (mold, flooding, fire-residue, ash, or fire retardant). Loss of yield/sales due to decreased number of safe working hours or canceled markets (due to heat, flood, Air Quality Index (AQI), or mandatory evacuations).
- Labor: Repayment of short-term loans obtained by farmer to pay employees when no income, back payment of wages, additional living expenses incurred for (3-6) months after extreme weather events, moving expenses, hazard pay or increased labor expenses, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) purchases. Loss of farmer income due to injury incurred during extreme weather event. Mental health services incurred due to extreme weather event.
- Land Tenure: Additional costs incurred or land lease payments unable to be paid after extreme weather event, or if farmer/rancher needed to move operation to new location.
- Biologic pest or animal disease/quarantine or eradication measures: Costs associated with market loss, destruction/disposal of plant/livestock materials, increased costs for farmers to spray additional pesticides required by quarantine.
Application Prioritization
- Applicants identifying as small or medium Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFRs) on their application will receive expedited review.
- Applicants identifying as small and medium operations, but not SDFRs, will be prioritized for consideration.
ROUND 4 Application Links Coming Soon!
Extreme weather: unusually severe weather or climate conditions that can cause devastating impacts on communities and agricultural ecosystems, including but not limited to heat waves, freezes, flooding, heavy downpours, wildfires, and severe windstorms.
A farmer making up to $400,000 in annual gross sales or dairy operation making up to $1,000,000 in annual gross sales.
“Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” means a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. “Socially disadvantaged group” means a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. These groups include all of the following: (1) African Americans, (2) Native American Indians, (3) Alaskan Natives, (4) Hispanics, (5) Asian Americans, and (6) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
No, funds are only available to reimburse losses due to drought, new purchases are not covered.
Yes, an eligible farmer can apply for up to $20,000 from BOTH a CUSP drought-only program and CUSP extreme weather program within the same year for a maximum of $40,000 as long as the allowable expenses are not duplicative. For example, a farmer can apply for $20,000 for crop loss due to drought from a CUSP drought-only program AND apply for an additional $20,000 for damage to equipment/infrastructure due to wildfire from a CUSP extreme weather program. A farmer can NOT apply for $20,000 for drought related expenses from both programs.
An increase in electricity from the previous year attributed to drought can only be covered for the same location / conditions. If a farmer has moved to a new location, they won’t be eligible to apply for CUSP drought relief funding for an increase in electricity costs as it would be impossible to compare across parcels, the pump might be a different size or depth which would be impossible to compare.
Utility companies can provide a summary of costs from previous years for the same account and parcel over the phone if the farmer can provide an account number. PG&E gives a monthly summary and comparison of last year’s costs on every monthly statement as well, so farmers can compare it without the need of an account.
If the producer’s name is not on the electricity bill but they have a lease agreement, this document will suffice to prove an increase in electricity from the previous year / term. If the farmer can procure the lease agreement with the landlord, and copies of the electric bills in the landlord’s name, they can determine the percentage or portion of the bill the farmer is responsible for covering (i.e. this year’s vs. last)
This fund is specifically designed for farms in California only.
