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Assembly committee passes AB 52 to codify farm equity advisory committees
Summary
The Assembly Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to pass AB 52 to Appropriations. The bill would codify two advisory committees created under the Farmer Equity Act of 2017 — the California BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee and the California Small Scale Producer Advisory Committee — to give small-scale and socially disadvantaged producers a statutorily protected role in CDFA policymaking.
The Assembly Agriculture Committee on Tuesday voted to pass Assembly Bill 52 to the Appropriations Committee, a measure that would place two Department of Food and Agriculture advisory committees into statute.
AB 52 would codify the California BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee and the California Small Scale Producer Advisory Committee, which were established administratively under the Farmer Equity Act of 2017. Proponents told the committee the committees need statutory recognition to prevent future administrations from dismantling them.
"Farmers of color and small scale producers like myself have long faced systemic barriers to land access, capital, and technical assistance," said Marietta Brown, owner and operator of Berkeley Basket CSA, who testified in support on behalf of small urban farms. "AB 52 would provide stability and accountability to ensure that small scale and socially disadvantaged farmers continue to have a protected seat at the table."
Supporters from a range of advocacy groups registered their backing at the hearing. Lizzie Guansona spoke on behalf of the office of Kat Taylor; Brian Chip represented the California Climate & Agriculture Network; Securia Moscow appeared for Pesticide Action & Agroecology Network and Californians for Pesticide Reform; Catherine Van Dyke represented Community Alliance with Family Farmers; and Beth Smoker represented the California Food and Farming Network.
Committee members did not raise substantive questions on the record. After a motion and second, the committee moved to a roll-call vote; the secretary recorded a final tally of seven yes, zero no, and AB 52 was reported out of committee to Appropriations.
If enacted, AB 52 would require the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to maintain those advisory committees in statute and incorporate their advice into program development and policymaking. The bill advances next to the Appropriations Committee for budgetary review and further consideration.
The hearing record shows broad, organized support from community-scale producers and allied organizations; no opposition was recorded in the committee proceeding.
