Legislative Funding Establishes California Farmland Program
California lawmakers established the state’s first dedicated program to help beginning and underserved farmers secure land tenure, allocating $4.6 million through AB 178 in the FY 2026–27 budget, American Farmland Trust reported. The funding creates the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act (FACT CA), developed alongside the Community Alliance with Family Farmers and the California Land Equity Collective.
While lawmakers funded the new tenure program, they did not adopt a separate push from agricultural advocates to direct a portion of SB 840’s $85 million climate innovation fund toward agrivoltaics research and demonstration. More than 30 organizations signed a letter earlier in the year urging that support, though proponents maintained that the advocacy successfully built broader awareness for dual-use solar and farming projects.
Groundwater Exemptions Spark Williamson Act Safeguard Debates
Lawmakers passed AB 1156 on the final night of the legislative session, allowing certain solar projects located in critically overdrafted groundwater basins under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act to exit Williamson Act protections. American Farmland Trust opposed the bill unless amended, arguing that the legislation needed stronger safeguards to protect agricultural land integrity while advancing state renewable energy goals. The bill was signed into law despite those concerns.
States play a critical role in helping farmers and ranchers adopt conservation practices.AFT’s Tim Fink joined state leaders from Maine @MaineDACF and California @CDFAnews at #ClimateWeekNYC to discuss how state policy can advance on-farm conservation.▶️Watch:… pic.twitter.com/yI3xjSVTwY
The debate over AB 1156 contrasts with the unanimous passage of AB 187, which addressed labor costs and grazing operations in the session’s final hours. That measure restored wage parity for sheep and goat herders through January 1, 2029, preventing roughly $240,000 per herder in annual cost increases that threatened to uproot targeted grazing programs used for wildfire fuel reduction.
Resolution Honors Women Farmers and Ranchers
The state Assembly adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 193 on June 11, introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters. American Farmland Trust’s Senior California Policy Manager Chelsea Gazillo marked the passage alongside the Assemblywoman, celebrating 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The resolution formally recognizes the contributions of women farmers and ranchers to California’s agricultural economy, food security, and land stewardship.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Agricultural Legislation
How much funding did the state allocate for the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act?
The Legislature established FACT CA with $4.6 million through AB 178 in the FY 2026–27 budget.
What does AB 187 accomplish for agricultural workers?
The bill restores wage parity and worker protections for sheep and goat herders through January 1, 2029, keeping targeted grazing available as a wildfire fuel-reduction tool.
When did the Assembly pass ACR 193, and what does it do?
The Assembly passed the resolution on June 11, honoring the contributions of women farmers and ranchers to California’s agricultural economy and food security during the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Worth a look