The USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently awarded $21.5 million in Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants to 117 projects across California. Among the recipients are four Central Valley farms which collectively received $242,862 with support from F3 Local and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF).
These funds are a vital investment in our local food system, providing small farms with the resources they need to adopt sustainable practices and enhance their operations.
These grants represent a significant milestone in supporting local farmers who face challenges like market access, climate change, and supply chain disruptions.
As Karen Ross, Secretary of the CDFA, stated, “This is an investment to advance the California State Board of Food and Agriculture’s strategic goals for Ag Vision – to foster climate-smart, resilient, and local food systems by addressing gaps in the supply chain and to provide more opportunities for California’s small farms while contributing to healthy, local communities.”
The awards underscore the impact of initiatives like F3 Local in connecting small-scale farmers to resources that promote sustainability and economic opportunity. The grant funds will allow these farms to improve infrastructure, invest in equipment, and adopt climate-smart practices, all of which are critical for creating a more resilient and inclusive food system.
This success highlights the value of partnerships between organizations like CAFF, F3 Local, and local farmers in driving meaningful change. By leveraging resources and advocating for small farms, F3 is helping to build a robust agricultural economy that benefits the Central Valley and beyond.
For more details, click here to read the full USDA press release.
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