CAFF

What CAFF does

CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1978 that builds sustainable food and farming systems through a hybrid of policy advocacy and direct service programs. Its core offerings fall into three groups: (1) farmer-facing programs including Farm to Market (CSA, farm-to-cafeteria, Farms Together/Granjas Juntas), Ecological Farming resources, Food Safety Services, the Small-Farm Tech Hub, Organic Certification support, and Urban Agriculture initiatives; (2) financial assistance programs including the California Farmer Relief Fund (over $7.8M disbursed to 1,000+ farmers across 45+ counties since 2020) and the CUSP Drought/Extreme Weather Relief program (up to $20,000 per recipient); and (3) community infrastructure including four regional chapters, the annual California Small Farm Conference, The Farmer's Beet podcast, bilingual Spanish-language resources, and a network of 25+ grassroots partner organizations.

The organization operates primarily on grant funding from federal (USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, USDA TOPP) and state (CDFA) sources, supplemented by individual donations, farm memberships on a pay-what-you-can basis ($25–$50 suggested), partner memberships, conference revenue, and program service fees. It serves a long tail of small-scale family farmers (grossing under $400k, or up to $1M for dairy/ranching), with a deliberate equity-first focus on BIPOC, immigrant, and undocumented growers (65% of CFRF recipients). Technology infrastructure is limited to a Foundant grant management portal, Stripe/Square payment processing, Action Network for donor engagement, and Zoom for virtual office hours — there is no proprietary AI or platform technology. Headcount sits at 11–50 employees operating from Davis, CA (headquarters) and Santa Cruz, CA.

CAFF's distribution model is community-led: it reaches farmers through direct technical assistance (Farmer Support Specialists, field visits), self-serve grant applications via Foundant, the CA Farm Directory, CSA and institutional sales channels, regional chapters, and Spanish-language WhatsApp groups. Strategic priorities, per the 2026 fundraising campaign and recent product launches, center on expanding relief capacity, scaling farmer financial education (notably the May 2026 Profit & Loss Guide), and advocating for federal funding mechanisms such as S.4470 to institutionalize the Office of Urban Agriculture.

Name

CAFF

Legal name

Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Website

https://caff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1978 that supports California's small-scale family farmers through grants, technical assistance, policy advocacy, and community programs, with a focus on BIPOC and immigrant growers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF), Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL)

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture programs
• Farmer grant funding
• Agricultural policy advocacy
• Organic certification support
• Farm technical assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: CAFF receives federal and state government grants including USDA funding, CDFA grants (e.g., $1 million walnut transition grant), and administers grant programs for farmers including CUSP drought relief and urban agriculture microgrants
2. Donations and Memberships: CAFF operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded through individual donations, farm memberships ($25-$50 pay-what-you-can), and partner memberships. They run fundraising campaigns including the California Farmer Relief Fund.
3. Program Services: Revenue from programs including the California Small Farm Conference, organic certification services, food safety services, and technical assistance to farmers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CAFF is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers programs and services to small-scale family farmers, including farm-to-market connections, policy advocacy, ecological farming resources, food safety services, organic certification support, urban agriculture microgrants, and emergency disaster relief. It administers direct farmer grant programs such as the California Farmer Relief Fund (CFRF) and the CUSP Drought and Extreme Weather Relief programs, alongside the annual California Small Farm Conference.

Product overview

CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers) is a California-based nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services for small and family farmers. The organization operates a platform of interconnected programs including Farm to Market (connecting farmers to CSAs and institutional buyers), Policy & Organizing (advocacy campaigns), Ecological Farming (sustainable practice resources), Food Safety Services, the Small-Farm Tech Hub (agricultural technology assistance), Organic Certification support, and Urban Agriculture initiatives with microgrants. CAFF also operates major grant programs including the California Farmer Relief Fund (CFRF) providing emergency drought and disaster assistance, and the CUSP Program for underserved producers. Additional offerings include the annual California Small Farm Conference, a podcast (The Farmer's Beet), the CA Farm Directory, a Funding Opportunities Database, and membership programs. The organization is structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with roots dating back to 1978.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Farmer's Beet: CAFF's podcast featuring stories from small family farmers throughout California, covering topics such as food safety, farming techniques, wildfire recovery, and soil fertility management.
• California Small Farm Conference
• California Farmer Relief Fund (CFRF)

Products and services

• Profit & Loss Guide A financial education resource helping farmers understand financial concepts essential to managing a farm business, with specific guidance for organic farms.
• California Farmer Relief Fund (CFRF) Direct financial assistance program providing single payment reimbursable grants to small-scale California family farmers impacted by climate disasters, rising costs, and systemic exclusion, with priority for BIPOC, immigrant, and undocumented farmers. Over $7.8M disbursed to date.
• CUSP Drought and Extreme Weather Relief Program Program providing technical assistance with business planning and financial/marketing strategies, plus direct farmer grants for drought relief and extreme weather. Recipients can receive up to $20,000 in CUSP Drought Relief funds and up to $20,000 in CUSP Extreme Weather Relief funds within a 12-month period.
• Farm to Market Program Program connecting California family farmers to markets through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Farm to Cafeteria initiatives, marketing resources, and the Farms Together / Granjas Juntas collaborative programs.
• Policy & Organizing Program Advocacy and organizing program focused on federal and state policy campaigns, land reform, budget advocacy, and legislative positions supporting family farmers.
• Ecological Farming Program Sustainable farming practices program offering resources on cover crops, biointensive no-till, integrated crop/livestock systems, compost, hedgerows, and the Healthy Soils Program grant information.
• Food Safety Services Food safety assistance including plan templates, free microbial water testing for farmers, safety resources, and the Partner Farm Program.
• Small-Farm Tech Hub Technology program providing agricultural technology needs assessment and resources to help small farmers adopt appropriate technologies.
• Organic Certification Support Support program for organic certification including the Organic Transition Program and certification resources for farmers transitioning to organic production.
• Urban Agriculture Program Urban farming support including the Growing Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee, Urban Agriculture Roadmap, Urban Agriculture Microgrants, CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Awardees, and the Growing Urban Agriculture Fellowship.
• California Small Farm Conference Annual statewide conference bringing together farmers, ranchers, industry professionals, students, and local food advocates for workshops, networking, and training. Includes sponsorship opportunities and workshop proposal submissions.
• CA Farm Directory Online searchable directory allowing users to find farms and add their farm to the listing.
• Funding Opportunities Database Comprehensive database allowing farmers to search for grant and funding opportunities, showing application deadlines, funded activities, required paperwork, and more.
• The Farmer's Beet Podcast Podcast featuring stories from small family farmers throughout California. Seasons cover topics including food safety techniques, wildfire preparation and recovery, ecological pest management, and nutrient cycling/soil fertility management.
• Membership Programs Individual, Farm, and Partner membership options on a pay-what-you-can basis supporting CAFF's mission to build sustainable food and farming systems.
• Summer Soiree Benefit Dinner Annual farm-to-table benefit dinner held at Full Belly Farm celebrating the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 small-scale family farmers provided direct financial assistance since 2020
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Farm Service Agency (FSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020CAFF partners with USDA's Farm Service Agency to provide technical assistance and administer micro-grants to urban and innovative farmers through the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. FSA has invested over $85 million through 199 grants and 146 cooperative agreements since 2020, with CAFF distributing microgrants as part of this initiative.
• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAFF is a member of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, an alliance of organizations advocating for federal policy reform to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative ProductioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAFF works with USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture to distribute urban agriculture microgrants, having awarded 52 microgrants worth $607,500 to strengthen local food systems as part of a program investing over $85 million across 43 states since 2020.
• CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAFF partners with CDFA on multiple programs including the Organic Transition Pilot Program, Urban Agriculture Grant Program, and CUSP (California Underserved and Small Producer) Program. CDFA awarded CAFF a $1 million grant for ecological walnut production transition.
• Farm to Table New MexicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization recipient of FSA technical assistance partnership funding, similar to CAFF's microgrant program, demonstrating peer organization collaboration in the sustainable agriculture network.
• VeggieLutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Jose-based urban farm organization partnering with CAFF on the Growing Urban Agriculture microgrant program alongside FSA, Agroecology Commons, Los Angeles Food Policy Council, and Food Access LA.
• Agroecology CommonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOakland-based organization partnering with CAFF on the Growing Urban Agriculture microgrant program to support urban farmers.
• Los Angeles Food Policy CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA-based food policy organization partnering with CAFF on the Growing Urban Agriculture microgrant program to support urban growers in Los Angeles region.
• Food Access LAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles-based organization partnering with CAFF on Growing Urban Agriculture microgrants to support urban agriculture and food access in LA communities.
• USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAFF collaborates with USDA's TOPP program to support farmers transitioning to organic production, providing resources and technical assistance for organic certification.
• 25+ Grassroots Partner OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAFF works with over 25 grassroots and regional organizations across California to distribute relief funds and reach underserved farmer communities through trusted local partners.
• Senators (Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act S.4470)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEight Democratic senators introduced S.4470 to secure $15 million in mandatory annual funding for USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture, with CAFF cited as a key advocacy partner supporting urban farmers.
• Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with CAFF on the development of the new Profit & Loss Guide for farmers, providing creative and strategic expertise for the financial education resource.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF): California-based nonprofit organization supporting organic and transitioning farmers through certification, advocacy, and education. Highly comparable mission and regional focus, with similar member-supported nonprofit model serving California agricultural producers.
• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC): National alliance advocating for federal policy reform to advance sustainable agriculture. CAFF is an NSAC member, indicating direct collaboration. Comparable focus on policy advocacy and farmer support, though NSAC operates nationally without CAFF's direct service programs.
• Farm Aid: National nonprofit providing direct financial assistance and advocacy for family farmers since 1985. Strongly comparable mission of family farmer support through grants, disaster relief, and policy advocacy, with broader geographic reach than CAFF.
• EcoFarm: California-based organization promoting ecological agriculture through annual conference, education, and advocacy. Comparable focus on sustainable farming practices and farmer education in California, with similar conference-driven engagement model.
• Kitchen Table Advisors: California-based nonprofit providing business advisory and support to small sustainable farmers. Directly comparable in serving small California farmers with technical assistance, though narrower in geographic reach and program scope than CAFF.
• National Young Farmers Coalition: National nonprofit advocating for young and BIPOC farmers through policy reform, training, and resource provision. Comparable focus on supporting underrepresented farmers and policy advocacy, with broader national scope.
• Agricultural Land-Based Training Association (ALBA): California-based nonprofit providing training and support for limited-resource and aspiring farmers. Comparable mission of supporting small and underserved farmers in California with technical assistance and education programs.
• Organic Farming Research Foundation: National nonprofit supporting organic farming through research, education, and policy advocacy. Comparable focus on organic and sustainable agriculture with grantmaking and farmer support programs, though more research-oriented than CAFF.
• Farmers Market Coalition: National nonprofit supporting farmers markets and direct-to-consumer farm sales. Comparable mission of supporting small farmer market access, with overlapping programs in CSA and farm-to-consumer initiatives similar to CAFF's Farm to Market program.

Broad incumbents

• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE): USDA-funded national program advancing sustainable agriculture through research, education, and grantmaking. Comparable in supporting sustainable farming practices and administering grants to farmers, with significantly larger scale and federal backing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/famfarms
• YouTubeyoutube.com/CAFFflix
• Facebookfacebook.com/famfarms
• Instagraminstagram.com/caff_famfarms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-alliance-with-family-farmers

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CAFF