Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by California Certified Organic Farms (CCOF)

Apply online to either program with CCOF's online application.

Receive financial assistance to help cover losses from natural disasters, personal hardship, or other unplanned emergencies.

The Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund has a long history of giving grants to organic producers recovering from natural disasters like wildfires or floods, unforeseeable life events, and other difficulties that can be challenging to any business. As climate change, the pandemic, and economic instability continues to impact farming communities, the Bricmont Hardship&#x2004;Assistance Fund is part of an important support network helping organic businesses survive uncertain times.


The Fund is offering two programs this year:


### Grants for Organic Producers

Receive financial assistance to help cover losses from natural disasters, personal hardship, or other unplanned emergencies.


### Drought Relief Grants for Producers in California

CCOF has partnered with CDFA to administer drought relief grants to producers in California. These funds are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of drought.



Receive financial assistance to help cover losses from natural disasters, personal hardship, or other unplanned emergencies.
The Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund has a long history of giving grants to organic producers recovering from natural disasters like wildfires or floods, unforeseeable life events, and other difficulties that can be challenging to any business. As climate change, the pandemic, and economic instability continues to impact farming communities, the Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund is part of an important support network helping organic businesses survive uncertain times.

The Fund is offering two programs this year:

Grants for Organic Producers
Receive financial assistance to help cover losses from natural disasters, personal hardship, or other unplanned emergencies.

Drought Relief Grants for Producers in California
CCOF has partnered with CDFA to administer drought relief grants to producers in California. These funds are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of drought.

Grants for Organic Producers applicants must:
- Be a certified organic operation with a valid organic certificate from any third-party USDA-accredited certifier (CDFA registration alone is not sufficient)
- Submit a complete and detailed description of hardship endured within the last 12 months 
- Submit supporting financial documentation of economic loss (examples: Profit and Loss Statements from current and previous years, tax documentation such as Schedule F, etc.) 
- Submit a final progress report one year after grant is awarded (for grant recipients only) 
- Applying organic business must be in the United States 
- Grant funds cannot be used for organic certification fees 
- First-time applicants and underserved producers will be prioritized

Drought Relief Grants for Producers in California 
California producers can apply to be reimbursed for expenses such as the below:
- Increased electric utility bills of 50 percent or more due to increased electricity rates
- Surface water costs if increased from year prior
- Cost of hauling water for livestock
- Lowering ag well pumps if a primary source of water is lost
- Emergency upgrades to irrigation system (paired with conservation) if not covered through CDFA OEFI programs or USDA programs and for other emergency scenarios.
- Decreased crop yields/crop loss due to less water available or having to fallow land
Expenses that are not covered:
- Drilling a new well
- Upgrading pump to a larger size which would draw more water
Producers are not eligible for this grant if they have received a CDFA CUSP economic relief grant from CAFF, ABIRC, CCOF, or the People’s Land Fund within the last 12 months. 

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Trade Relief

Trees

Wildfire

Coronavirus

Fencing

Hurricane

Tornado

Flood

Drought

Emergency

Weather

Certification

Disaster Relief

Marketing

Conservation

Research

Compliance

Application must be completed online at https://bit.ly/CCOF-GRANT.

The Organic Transition program gives $10,000 grants to farmers transitioning their land to organic production. 

When farmers transition their land from conventional to organic, they have to wait three years before achieving certification and selling their products as organic. This&#x2004;three-year period is incredibly risky for farmers—they’re learning new farming techniques, creating new systems for their business, and cultivating a new market for their soon-to-be-organic products, all while growing food without earning the price premiums afforded to certified organic goods. Organic Transition grants eliminate the financial barrier for farmers who want to make the leap to organic production. 

Program participants receive grants, mentorship, and technical support in agronomy, business and financial literacy, marketing, and market development over a three-year period. 



The Organic Transition program gives $10,000 grants to farmers transitioning their land to organic production. 
When farmers transition their land from conventional to organic, they have to wait three years before achieving certification and selling their products as organic. This three-year period is incredibly risky for farmers—they’re learning new farming techniques, creating new systems for their business, and cultivating a new market for their soon-to-be-organic products, all while growing food without earning the price premiums afforded to certified organic goods. Organic Transition grants eliminate the financial barrier for farmers who want to make the leap to organic production. 
Program participants receive grants, mentorship, and technical support in agronomy, business and financial literacy, marketing, and market development over a three-year period. 

- Be farming or ranching on the California Central & Southern Coasts and Central Valley (Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Colusa, Glenn, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba Counties)
- Already be practicing organic production methods
- Have a business plan for transitioning to certified organic production or have identified a means to develop a plan for how they will transition or expand organic acreage on their farm or ranch
- Demonstrate financial need
- Reside and farm/ranch in the United States (this includes U.S. territories)
- Have a minimum of five years of agricultural production experience
- Have at least two years of running or owning their business and/or equivalent experience
- Be willing to conduct an interview as part of the application process
- Submit a Letter of Reference with your application 
- Submit a yearly report and a final report at the end of the grant period

Succession

Events

Distribution

Diversification

Certified Organic

Legal & Finance

Submit your application online through this portal. Make sure you have a letter of reference from a teacher, mentor, or agricultural professional to submit as well. 

Larissa Hernandez

Future Organic Farmer grants provide $5,000 scholarships to vocational and higher education students in the United States pursuing degrees or certificates in organic agriculture.



Applicants must be enrolled in an educational program in the United States that will benefit their career in organic agriculture, including vocational training/certificate programs or two/four-year degrees, demonstrate financial need, demonstrate a strong interest and commitment to a career in organic agriculture, and submit a final report at the end of the award year.

Stewardship

- Prior grantees are welcome to re-apply.
- Funds can be used for the following purposes: tuition, educational materials or resources, internships or work experience expenses, costs directly associated with your organic studies/career development 
- Grant funds cannot be used for organic certification fees

List of California Certified Organic Farms (CCOF) Funding Opportunities