photo credit: Community Alliance with Family Farmers 

Small and underserved California farmers affected by drought can apply for financial relief beginning July 1 through the Community Alliance with Family Farmers' California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Program.

CAFF launched the program in 2017 after small farmers were among the last to receive disaster assistance.

Arden Rosenthal with CAFF said the need stays significant, with farmers reaching out every day.

She said her inbox is filled with messages from growers saying things like, "this drought like wiped out my entire crop ... I lost $30,000, I didn't end up being able to sell any of my product ... I'm about to go under."

CAFF defines small farmers as those with annual revenue under $400,000, or under $1 million for dairy or livestock operations.

In Sonoma County, drought is the county's top agricultural natural hazard, according to new data from Traceone, a company that develops software for agricultural and food brands to manage product development and compliance.

The data estimates the expected annual loss from natural disasters at $5,401 per Sonoma County farm. That ranks the county 26th among more than 3,000 counties nationwide for natural disaster impact on the food supply. For local growers, drought can affect wine, livestock and specialty crop operations.

Last year, CAFF funded a little more than half of the 177 drought relief applications it received. Of those farmers, three-quarters were Black, Indigenous or people of color, and nearly two-thirds were first-generation immigrants.

Rosenthal said about $1.1 million is available for this year's program. "Ideally there's enough money for everyone who has applied who is eligible and their documentation checks out," Rosenthal said. 

Applications are open through July 31. Information about eligibility and the application process is available at CAFF's website.