Jul 13, 2022

CDFA extends application period for beginning farmer training program

CDFA is extending the application period for the 2022 Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training and Workforce Development Program (BFFTP). The agency is now accepting grant applications until Aug. 15, 2022, at 5 p.m., in order to allow sufficient time for applicant organizations to connect with partnering organizations and submit proposals.

The BFFTP grant program was funded through the 2021 California general fund budget. The program will provide support to organizations to enhance or expand beginning farmer and farmworker training/apprenticeship programs.

The overall goal of the program is to ensure that resources are dedicated to strengthening support for socially disadvantaged and/or beginning farmers and ranchers in the first ten years of business, and for farmworkers who need skills training to provide job sustainability. A secondary goal of the program is to build and grow regional networks to ensure that organizations can provide adequate support and training opportunities for those most underserved in the agriculture industry.

Applicants may apply for two types of awards in this program: program planning and curriculum development grants of up to $100,000; or program implementation grants up to $1,000,000 for beginning farmer training and farmworker training and workforce development programs.

Again, applications will be accepted through Aug. 15, 2022, at 5 p.m. PST.

Slight modifications have been made to the 2022 BFFTP Grant Program timeline as follows:

Grant Application Opens June 1, 2022
Grant Application Closes Aug. 15, 2022 @ 5 p.m. PST
Review Process September 2022
Award Announcement On or before Oct. 7, 2022
Grant Term Begins Nov. 1, 2022
Grant Term Ends 1-Year Projects: Oct. 30, 2023
2-Year Projects: Oct. 30, 2024

The following entities are eligible to apply for this program: Non-profit organizations, Tribal governments, and community colleges. Community colleges are eligible as co-applicants with local partner organizations. Entities applying must have demonstrated expertise in assisting socially disadvantaged, small-scale farmers, farmworkers and in workforce development programs.

The 2022 BFFTP request for applications (RFA) can be found on the program website www.cdfa.ca.gov/BFFTP.

The grant application can be found here: 2022 BFFTP Grant Program Application

Applications are being accepted through the Amplifund platform. All applicants need to register for an Amplifund account. To register, please follow the Amplifund prompt for new users in the 2022 BFFTP Grant Program Application link above. Additional training videos and materials can be found on the BFFTP website: Amplifund Portal Resources.

For more information on the 2022 BFFTP Grant Program click here or contact
[email protected].