This report is based on three years of statewide outreach, surveys, focus groups, and document reviews with small-scale farmers across California’s priority groundwater basins. This work was developed in partnership by the University of California Small Farms Network and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

Managing Groundwater with Small Farms in Mind: Risks, Barriers, and Opportunities of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Report

CDFA-Funded Research Finds 2021 Drought Cost California Agriculture More Than $1 Billion and Thousands of Jobs

In 2021, drought cost California’s agricultural sector an estimated $1.1 billion and nearly 8,750 full- and part-time jobs. When the broader economic impacts on other sectors are included, the total losses are estimated at $1.7 billion and 14,634 full- and part-time jobs.

CDFA Article Here

August UCCE Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline for farmers to apply for Stages 1 and 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to Sept. 30, 2026. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing greater flexibility for farmers who experienced quality losses on eligible crops. 

More Information Here

Applications Now Open for AgHiRE 2026–2027

The Center for Land-Based Learning’s AgHiRE Program helps agricultural employers develop high-potential Spanish-speaking employees into confident supervisors who communicate effectively, take initiative, and support more productive teams.

Developed with guidance from agricultural employers, AgHiRE equips employees with practical leadership, communication, English, digital literacy, and regulatory awareness skills they can apply on the job. Employers from previous cohorts have reported improvements in communication, decision-making, confidence, and employee initiative.

Courses begin December 2026 in Woodland, CA.

Now accepting applications for the next cohort. Learn more at landbasedlearning.org/aghire

USERRA Poster Update

The U.S. Department of Labor has released an updated Your Rights Under USERRA poster. Employers are required to notify employees of their USERRA rights by posting the notice in the workplace or distributing it electronically. Please review and replace your current poster with the attached updated version.

Download Poster Here

2026 CE Series Schedule

• September 10 — SPM Program Updates - Insights from the Sustainable Pest Management team (0.5 L/R & 0.5 Other)

• October 8 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Schools (1 hr L/R)

• November 12 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Bees (1 hr L/R)

Register Here

Past Farm Employer Labor Service (FELS) webinar videos and PowerPoint presentations are available online.