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Committee advances bill to centralize and expand organic transition support for farmers
Summary
AB 937 would consolidate organic transition grants and expand technical-assistance capacity to help more farmers obtain organic certification; farmers and nonprofit groups testified in support and the committee voted to send the measure to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Conley presented AB 937, a bill to streamline and improve access to organic-transition funding and technical assistance at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The author said the measure would create a "one-stop shop" to consolidate support grants and build capacity among technical-assistance providers to aid farmers seeking organic certification.
Manuel Reyes, a Windsor farmer who transitioned to organic, testified that technical assistance was crucial to his ability to seek certification and access new markets. "Without that official label, they didn't trust that my food was grown organically," Reyes said through translation, explaining the certification process posed challenges for small and immigrant farmers. Multiple environmental and farming nonprofits testified in support, saying the program helps expand climate-resilient and organic acreage.
The committee voted to pass AB 937 to Appropriations. The roll call recorded ayes from a majority of members; the clerk announced the bill had six votes and would be left open for absent members to add on.
