Organic Transition in California

The CCOF Foundation’s *Grants for Organic Transition* program offers substantial financial support to farmers in California who are transitioning their land from conventional to organic production. This transition process, which spans three years, requires farmers to adopt new farming practices, establish new business systems, and create markets for products that cannot yet be labeled as organic. During this critical period, the grant program helps ease the financial strain by providing farmers with $10,000 annually for three years, totaling $30,000 over the full transition period. This funding is complemented by mentorship and technical assistance in areas such as agronomy, business planning, financial literacy, marketing, and market development. The purpose of these grants is to assist farmers with the unique challenges of organic transition, such as learning new agricultural techniques, meeting certification requirements, and preparing to enter organic markets. Beyond the core $10,000 per year grant, eligible farmers may also qualify for additional funding—$1,000 per transitioning acre for up to 30 acres—for implementing soil-building practices that are crucial to organic farming. This financial support aims to smooth the transition to organic production and promote long-term sustainability. Eligibility for the *Grants for Organic Transition* is limited to farmers and ranchers in California who are in the process of transitioning their land to organic certification. Applicants must be willing to work with the CCOF Foundation to provide regular updates and detailed documentation about their certification process, crop production, acreage, and organic transition plans. Recipients are required to retain records of how the grant funds are used, ensuring transparency and alignment with program objectives. The funds provided through the grant can be used for a wide range of eligible costs, all aimed at supporting organic transition efforts. These include purchasing organic livestock and poultry, organic feed, farm supplies approved for organic farming, inspection and certification fees, on-farm water and soil testing, and consulting services for developing an Organic System Plan (OSP). Additionally, funds can be used for equipment specific to organic farming, such as weed management tools, composting equipment, cover-cropping machinery, and on-farm processing infrastructure for handling organic products. However, certain costs, such as land rent, taxes, and labor expenses, are not covered by the grant. Applications for the *Grants for Organic Transition* require detailed planning and careful documentation. Grantees must track all expenditures and provide data on their organic transition efforts, including maps of their transitioning acreage and information about crops and land use. This ensures that the funding directly supports the organic transition process and helps CCOF monitor the program’s impact. This grant offers a significant opportunity for farmers in California who are committed to sustainable agriculture and are seeking to make the shift to organic farming. By covering a wide range of expenses and providing expert guidance throughout the process, the *Grants for Organic Transition* program plays a crucial role in fostering the growth of organic agriculture across the state.