CUSP Program
ROUND 2 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
IERCD has partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer extreme weather relief grants through the California Small and Underserved Producer Program. These are reimbursement grants for expenses incurred from 2017 onwards as a result of drought, flooding, heavy rain, wildfire, heat waves, severe windstorms, & extreme cold. Through this program, direct relief funds will be available to support small and socially disadvantaged producers recovering from extreme climate related impacts, such as increased utility costs, crop loss, debris removal & equipment damage.
Grant amounts range between $2,500-$20,000.
Application Dates 2025:
Round 1: February 15th - March 31st
Round 2: April 1st - May 31st
Round 3: June 1st – July 31st
Round 4: August 1st – September 30th
Round 5: October 1st – November 30th
Additional rounds will be announced until all funding has been expended.
Eligibility requirements
- Farmers and ranchers who are actively working the land, derive a portion of their income from their own farm business, and are involved in day-to-day operations on the farm are eligible.
- Funding is prioritized for small-scale operations and for underserved (socially disadvantaged) communities as described in CDFA’s Farmer Equity Report.
- Producers may only receive a maximum of $20,000 of CUSP Extreme Weather funding every 12 months. IERCD will cross-check applicants with CDFA to ensure no repeat funds are awarded within that time period.
Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to:
Download PDF Table here - See eligible expenses and acceptable documentation options:
CUSP Extreme Weather and Other Climate Impacts Relief Eligible Practices Table (UPDATED April 2025)Buildings, greenhouses, packing or storage facilities, hoop houses, shade structures, roads and pathways on farm property. Damage to greenhouse/high tunnel infrastructure due to extreme weather events. Emergency upgrades (impermanent) to infrastructure/equipment to prevent
losses.
Tractors, ATV/four-wheelers, small-scale mechanized equipment such as rototillers and walk-behind tractors, electric tools, hand tools, implements, fencing, irrigation (including poly pipe/plastic drip tape/pipe connectors), plastic mulch, well pump damage or loss.
Affected areas of farm property, water removal/pumping services, generator purchase or rental, payments to service providers for clean-up/debris removal, survey companies, regrading of roads, repair of culverts or reinforcements after extreme weather events.
Sub pump, sandbags, blocks, or bricks to reinforce/protect fields, retaining walls, or infrastructure/levy repair.
Including compost and cover crop, destroyed by extreme weather events.
Due to extreme weather events, decreased pasture or water availability.
To ensure food safety compliance after flood events.
Trees, nursery stock, perennial plant losses or payments to services for tree removal or replacement after extreme weather event.
Annual vegetable production, perennial crops, and cover crops due to extreme weather (flooding, extreme heat/sunburn, wildfire): partial or full loss of crop in the field, damage that renders crop unable to be sold, inability or delays to plant/harvest due to extreme weather. Loss of yield/sales due to food safety concerns (mold, flooding, fire-residue, ash, or fire retardant). Loss of yield/sales due to decreased number of safe working hours or canceled markets (due to heat, flood, Air Quality Index (AQI), or mandatory evacuations).
Repayment of short-term loans obtained by farmer to pay employees when no income, back payment of wages, additional living expenses incurred for (3-6) months after extreme weather events, moving expenses, hazard pay or increased labor expenses, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) purchases. Loss of farmer income due to injury incurred during extreme weather event. Mental health services incurred due to extreme weather event.
Additional costs incurred or land lease payments unable to be paid after extreme weather event, or if farmer/rancher needed to move operation to new location.
ROUND 2 Application Link
To access the form in Spanish or other languages, click on the top right icon of three dots in the menu bar - then scroll down and find "translate". Choose your preferred language.
Para acceder al formulario en español u otros idiomas, haga clic en el ícono de tres puntos superior derecho en la barra de menú de su navegador de Internet; luego desplácese hacia abajo y busque "traducir". Elige tu idioma preferido.
Application Prioritization
- Funding is prioritized for small-scale operations and for underserved (socially disadvantaged) communities as described in CDFA’s Farmer Equity Report.
- Applicants identifying as small and medium operations, but not SDFRs, will be prioritized for consideration.
Extreme weather: unusually severe weather or climate conditions that can cause devastating impacts on communities and agricultural ecosystems, including but not limited to heat waves, freezes, flooding, heavy downpours, wildfires, and severe windstorms.
A farm making up to $400,000 in annual gross sales or dairy operation making up to $1,000,000 in annual gross sales.
“Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” means a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. “Socially disadvantaged group” means a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. These groups include all of the following: (1) African Americans, (2) Native American Indians, (3) Alaskan Natives, (4) Hispanics, (5) Asian Americans, and (6) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
Yes, an eligible farmer can apply for up to $20,000 from BOTH a CUSP drought-only program and CUSP extreme weather program within the same year for a maximum of $40,000 as long as the allowable expenses are not duplicative. For example, a farmer can apply for $20,000 for crop loss due to drought from a CUSP drought-only program AND apply for an additional $20,000 for damage to equipment/infrastructure due to wildfire from a CUSP extreme weather program. A farmer can NOT apply for $20,000 for drought related expenses from both programs.
This fund is specifically designed for farms in California only.
