Progress In the Field
Building a Resilient Food System Starts with Farmers
At CalCAN, we believe that innovation starts on the ground. California is home to thousands of farmers and ranchers using climate-resilient practices that reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, improve resilience to floods, drought, and other climate impacts, and have many more health and environmental benefits.
Policies to accelerate these practices must be grounded in producer experiences and their practical and economic realities.
Growing Impact at a Glance
years of advancing sustainable
agriculture policy in California
farm tours bringing
policymakers to the field
secured for programs that help farmers
adopt climate-smart practices
farmer-driven policy recommendations
adopted at the state or federal level
farmers and ranchers connected
through our CalCAN Network
Real Farmers, Real Results.
Benito Valley Farms
Hollister - San Benito County
Linda Chu manages 700 acres in northern San Juan Bautista in San Benito County, growing Asian vegetables. With the Healthy Soils grant, Linda is applying compost to her fields and will plant a hedgerow along her property which borders a canal.
Each winter, rain washes soil from Linda’s farm into the canal, something the hedgerow now prevents while also providing habitat for birds and beneficial insects and pollinators. Linda is applying compost to the fields nearest the canal as a way to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer near the sensitive riparian area, thereby reducing chemical runoff and enhancing water quality. Using compost also improves soil structure, making it more porous so it can hold more water which reduces erosion and cuts down her irrigation demand. Read more about Linda’s farm.
Brindeiro & Danbom Dairy Farm
Turlock - Stanislaus County
Paul Danbom is a fifth-generation farmer near Turlock where he has a 900-dairy and grows hay, cattle feed and almonds. His AMMP grant covered most of the cost of the new manure management system. Manure flushed from nearby barns is pumped to an aeration tank that keeps the solids in suspension and oxygenates the liquids to minimize methane production. The liquid manure is then pumped to a mechanical solid separator mounted two series above the concrete pad where a roller presses the material, sending the liquid to irrigate their fields while the solids drop into a pile below to be moved into windrows for composting. Read more about Paul’s dairy.
Steve Fukagawa Farms
Kingsburg - Fresno County
Steve Fukagawa grows organic raisin grapes and stone fruit in Kingsburg, south of Fresno. He is a third-generation California farmer whose grandfather emigrated from Japan and rented their farm during the difficult years of their internment during World War II. Steve received two SWEEP grants, one in 2015 and the second in 2020.
“Not only am I saving water and energy, I don’t have to do as much disking and furrowing, and that saves me time and money.” — Steve Fukagawa
When farmers speak, policymakers listen.
CalCAN works alongside farmers and ranchers to ensure their voices are heard in Sacramento and beyond. From hosting lobby days to local farm tours, we help bring farmer and rancher voices directly to policymakers. Together, we help shape policies and programs that accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agriculture across California.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Share your story as part of our Progress in the Field series
- Place letters or opinion pieces in your local newspapers supporting agriculture’s climate solutions
- Host farm tours showcasing climate-resilient practices
- Help us organize constituent meetings with your elected representatives
- Invite your community to support legislation and contact lawmakers
Email our team to learn more.
Voices From Our Network
“Farmers have to pass along the costs of climate disasters to their customers if they lose a crop or see a drop in yields. Investments in climate smart agriculture will help keep food affordable for all Californians.”
“What we do is very hard work and is only going to get harder with climate change.”
“CalCAN is a driving force advancing grazing as a strategy for impactful fire-safety and fire readiness with shovel-ready projects that need funding NOW.”
“My goal is resilience because I know the weather is changing. If I can raise wheat on eight inches of [average annual] rain, maybe the guy down in Five Points who just lost his water can too.”
“It’s important to actually get out here and see it!” Assembly member Hart remarked during a farm tour, emphasizing the importance of seeing the practices in action and the role of constituents to inform policymakers.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of farmers and ranchers does CalCAN work with?
CalCAN works with small to mid-sized farms implementing sustainable and organic farming practices. Our policy positions also explicitly account for the needs of people of color, women, low-income/low-wealth, farmworkers, and other marginalized populations. Learn more on our guiding principles page.
We know that changes must be made on all farms and ranches in order to prepare for the climate impacts of the future.
What kinds of practices does CalCAN advocate for?
We advocate for nature-based (organic and sustainable) climate solutions such as healthy soils practices, water conservation, grazing to prevent and recover from wildfires, farmland conservation to prevent urban sprawl, and livestock methane reduction. Visit our focus areas page to learn more.
Does CalCAN provide grants or resources for farmers and ranchers?
Not directly — but our policy work helps create and expand those opportunities.
How can I help? Do I have to be a farmer to get involved?
Not at all! Advocates, researchers, and concerned citizens can all contribute to these efforts.
- Take action with your local legislators.
- Sign up for our newsletter to learn about opportunities as they arise.
- Support CalCAN with a direct donation.
- Contact us directly for additional opportunities to support our mission.
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