State Budget for 2018-‘19 includes $671.7 million for CDFA

The $201.3 billion 2018-‘19 state budget signed yesterday by Governor Brown includes $671.7 million for CDFA.

“This is a budget that is focused on the challenges and opportunities in the future for California agriculture,” said CDFA secretary Karen Ross. ” I believe we have a budget that makes crucial investments in positioning us for that future.”

The spending plan includes the following:

Combating Climate Change

The budget includes significant investment in programs that further reduce carbon pollution and support climate resiliency efforts, including $99 million from the Climate Change Investment Fund for CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development and Alternative Manure Management programs and $5 million for the Healthy Soils Program. The June passage of Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018, is the source of $18.6 million for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and $8.5 million for the Healthy Soils Program.

Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention

$15 million is provided to enhance Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing suppression activities, a California program that partners with the USDA as well as the citrus industry.

Bee Safe

A new program that will start with a $1.85 million budget appropriation intended to improve the health and survival of honeybees by increasing foraging opportunities, reducing pesticide exposure, and providing funds for enforcement of existing laws at the local level to promote and protect California’s beekeeping industry.

Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement

The budget includes an increase of $28.3 million for ongoing regulation of cannabis cultivators within California.

Use of Antimicrobial Drugs on Livestock

There is an increase of $2.668 million appropriated for the ongoing regulatory program for the use of antimicrobial drugs on livestock, as required by SB 27, signed in 2015.

California Nutrition Incentive Program/Healthy Store Refreigeration Program

The budget provides $10 Million to provide nutrition incentives to CalFresh clients who purchase California-grown fruits and vegetables at Certified Farmers Markets, and $5 million for small business or neighborhood stores for the purchase of energy-efficient refrigeration units for fresh produce storage.

Farmer Equality Act of 2017 (AB 1348)

$139,000 is allocated, allowing for the evaluation of opportunities to improve the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in state and federal farming programs. A report is due to the governor and the Legislature on January 1, 2020 on progress in this regard.

Please see this link for more information about 2018-2019 state budget and CDFA’s portion of it.