CUSP Program Solicitation for Organizations
New! CDFA Announces Awards for $12.8 million for the California Underserved and Small Producer Grant Program (CUSP)
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Farm Equity announces that it is awarding $12.8 million in grants to 14 projects throughout the state via the 2023 California Underserved and Small Producer Grant Program (CUSP). Eight Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) and 6 non-profit organizations will be providing technical assistance and distributing drought relief direct producer grants for the program. Funding for this grant program was made possible through the 2021 and 2022 Budget Act.
The CUSP Program is designed to facilitate support for small and medium scale California agricultural producers, or small and medium scale Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFR’s) through technical assistance with business planning, financial and marketing strategies. This two-year grant program also provides direct farmer grants for drought relief for those same priority groups. The estimated start date for these projects is May 2023 and will continue through April 30, 2025.
Complete list of awardees and summaries of their projects
2023 CUSP Program Solicitation for Organizations (individual farmers or ranchers were not eligible. Solicitation was open for eligible entities to become a CUSP TA Provider) - NOW CLOSED
The 2023 CUSP Drought Relief Technical Assistance and Direct Producer Grant Program accepted applications from eligible entities including: Non-profit organizations, Tribal Governments, County Departments of Agriculture and Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs).
Applications closed on March 16, 2023, at 5pm PST.
2023 CUSP Program for Organizations Timeline
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Grant Application Opens | January 17, 2023 |
| CUSP Application Question Session 1 | February 2, 2023 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. |
| CUSP Application Question Session 2 | February 16, 2023 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Grant Application Closes | March 16, 2023 @ 5 PM PST |
| Application Review Process | Mar/Apr 2023 |
| Award Announcement | April 17, 2023 |
| Grant Term Begins | July 1, 2023 |
| Grant Term Ends | April 30, 2025 |
2023 CUSP Program Solicitation for Organizations - Additional Information
Press Release: CDFA Accepting Applications For The 2023 California Underserved And Small Producer (CUSP) Grant Program (Closed)
2023 CUSP Grant Program Application. (Closed)
2023 CUSP RFA. (Closed)
2023 CUSP Program Public Comments and CDFA Responses
AmpliFund Applicant Portal Resources
Please view these training materials on how to set up an account on AmpliFund before applying to the 2023 CUSP Grant Program.
Past Grant Solicitation
The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm Equity announces that it is awarding $1.1 million in grants to 11 projects throughout the state via the 2021 California Underserved and Small-Scale Producer Grant Program (CUSP). These groups will be providing critical technical assistance for small-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to apply for COVID-19 relief funds, adjust business planning and marketing strategies and other direct technical support for producers to become more resilient and recover from the adverse affects of COVID-19. The funding for this grant program was made possible through SB 85.
Summary of 2021 Funded Projects
Press Release — Announcing Funding Opportunity
2021 CUSP GRANT APPLICATION MATERIALS — 2021 Program Application Period Now Closed
Request for Proposals — due date May 10, 2021, 5:00pm PT
Grant Applications Due: May 10, 2021
Summary of Public Comments
Quick Links
Program Status
Closed
Contact Us
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Office of Grants Administration
1220 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Grants@cdfa.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 657-3231