Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training and Workforce Development Grant Program
The CDFA is pleased to announce that it is awarding up to $10 million for the Beginning Farmer & Farmworker Training and Workforce Development (BFFTP), of which approximately $5 million will be available in Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and $5 million in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. The funding for this grant program was made possible through the 2021 California general fund budget.
2022 Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training and Workforce Development Grant Program
The 2022 Beginning Farmer & Farmworker Training & Workforce Development (BFFTP) Grant Program will support organizations in the development, enhancement and/or expansion of beginning farmer apprenticeship programs and farmworker training and workforce development programs. The overall goal of the BFFTP program is to ensure that resources are dedicated to strengthening support for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the first ten years of business, and farmworkers who need job skills training to provide job sustainability. A secondary goal of the program is to build and grow regional networks to ensure organizations can provide adequate support and training opportunities for those most underserved in the agriculture industry. The CDFA encourages applications from organizations who serve small to medium sized and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and farmworkers, including but not limited to BIMPOC (Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, and People of Color), LGBTQ+, women and veterans.
Program Timeline
Item | Date |
Grant Application Opens | June 1, 2022 |
Grant Application Closes | August 1, 2022 @ 5 PM PST |
Review Process | August/Sept |
Award Announcement | September |
Grant Term Begins | November 1, 2022 |
Grant Term Ends | 1-Year Projects: October 30, 2023 2-Year Projects: October 30, 2024 |
The CDFA Farm Equity Office hosted a public comment period for the BFFTP Grant Program from March 30 – April 30, 2022 (NOW CLOSED)
Press Release – CDFA announces comment period for beginning farmer and farmworker grant program
BFFTP – Proposed Request for Applications (Draft RFA)
Alert: Possible Scam:
CDFA Grant Notifications Requesting Payment in Exchange for Grant Awards.
CDFA has been made aware of numerous scams soliciting payment from applicants to award grants. CDFA does not charge fees for application or administration of grants and awards are never made based on payments from applicants. If you believe you may be a victim of this effort, you are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement (Police or Sheriff's Department).
Contact Us
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Office of Grants Administration
1220 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 657-3231
Fax: (916) 653-0206
Grants@cdfa.ca.gov