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Organic Transition Pilot Program

What is the Organic Transition Pilot Program?

The Organic Transition Pilot Program was created by the Budget Act of 2022, and is supported with $10 million in allocations from the Budget Acts of 2022 and 2023. The purpose is to provide support to farmers and ranchers who prepare land for organic certification. The program is designed as a block grant to be administered through organizations that demonstrate the expertise and partnerships needed to accomplish the program’s objectives. These objectives include disbursal of financial assistance , technical assistance, project follow-up, application assistance, business planning, and translation services. The Pilot has a strong emphasis on equity, where at least 50% of beneficiaries should be Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. As such, it seeks to support diverse farmers and ranchers in their transition to organic production.

The Organic Transition Pilot Program is aligned with the suite of Climate Smart Agriculture incentive programs administered by CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. It also aligns with a Recommendation in California’s Climate Change Scoping Plan Update of 2022, the state’s roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to expand organic acreage in California.

Financial assistance disbursed to farmers and ranchers can be spent on a wide range of eligible costs for transitioning acres to organic farming, and a field-preparation award can help to build soils for successful organic production. Organizations will be able to apply to administer between $500,000 and $2 million in funds and assistance to farmers and ranchers, whom they will identify after receiving an award. See Eligibility below.

Eligibility

The following entities are eligible to apply for OTP grants:

• Non-profit organizations
• California Native American Tribes
• Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs)
• University of California, California Community Colleges, or California State Universities

Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in disbursement of funds and outreach for agricultural practices.

Partnerships between multiple organizations are encouraged.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have questions about the Organic Transition Pilot Program, please email cdfa.oefi_otp@cdfa.ca.gov.