From the Capitol to California's Working Lands: AFT's 2026 Legislative Crop Report

As Governor Newsom’s final legislative session closes, American Farmland Trust (AFT) is reflecting on a pivotal year of advocacy for California agriculture. Guided by our 2026 California policy priorities, AFT tracked more than 60 bills and helped secure many major conservation investments. 

Through strong partnerships, AFT in California followed and weighed in on the following provisions during the 2025-2026 legislative session:  

Protecting California’s Investment in the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program 

In April, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed major changes to California’s Cap-and-Invest program that raised concerns about reduced Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) revenues. CARB ultimately approved the amendments. For AFT, the central concern was what lower GGRF revenues could mean for proven programs like the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program. With California Farmland Trust and California Farm Bureau, AFT urged CARB to preserve stable SALC funding established through SB 840. 

Those concerns proved warranted. The Department of Finance now projects $2.7 billion in GGRF auction proceeds for 2026–27, down from $3.4 billion predicted during the 2026 May Revision, with the Legislative Analyst’s Office citing the new regulations as a driver. 

Working closely with the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) and partners statewide, AFT helped secure $50 million for SALC, plus at least 20% of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Account, administered by the Strategic Growth Council. This could result in over $60 million for the SALC Program. Read AFT’s press release here. 

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Allocations 

Finally, the FY26-27 legislative proposal also included funding for the following programs: 

Ensuring Continued Prop 4 Investments 

AFT worked with our partners in the California Food and Farm Resilience Coalition to implement the nearly $300 million in Proposition 4 investments we secured when we advocated for the bond in 2024. The following chart shows where the Legislature and Governor landed on Proposition 4 allocations in the FY 2026–27 budget supporting sustainable agriculture and land access. 

Key Proposition 4 Allocations 

General Fund Investments in Agriculture  

The Legislative Analyst’s Office reports $726 million in total FY 2026–27 funding for the California Department of Food and Agriculture from the General Fund, special funds, and bonds. This is the department-wide budget, not a sustainable agriculture subtotal. 

The budget also funds these programs: 

California passed legislation to create a new Farmland Access Program  

AFT was proud to join the California Land Equity Collective, led by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), to advance the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act (FACT CA). Through AB 178 in the FY 2026–27 budget, the Legislature established FACT CA with $4.6 million, creating what CAFF calls California's first program dedicated to helping beginning and underserved farmers secure land tenure.

The California State Legislature Recognized the International Year of the Woman Farmer  

AFT is proud to celebrate 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and was especially pleased to see California adopt Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 193, introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, recognizing this important year. The resolution honors women farmers' and ranchers' vital contributions to California’s agricultural economy, food security, and stewardship of working lands. 

Promoting Future Investment for Agrivoltaics  

AFT led on agrivoltaics policy this session. In early 2026, more than 30 organizations signed AFT’s letter urging lawmakers to direct part of SB 840’s $85 million for climate innovation to agrivoltaics research and demonstration. Though lawmakers didn’t adopt the request, AFT built support for keeping agricultural land in production while creating new opportunities for farmers and ranchers. 

Protecting Agricultural Land as California Expands Renewable Energy 

AFT opposed AB 1156 unless amended. The bill, signed into law after passing on the session’s final night, lets certain solar projects in critically over drafted groundwater basins as defined by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) exit Williamson Act protections. While supporting California’s renewable energy goals, AFT pushed with partners for stronger safeguards to ensure the state promotes smart growth policies that plan for agriculture's future and will continue working to protect the Williamson Act’s long-term integrity. 

Ensuring Wage Parity for Sheep and Goat Herders 

Alongside CalCAN and the California Farm Bureau Federation, AFT supported a coalition letter urging California to maintain wage parity and worker protections for sheep and goat herders by removing the sunset provisions in Labor Code Sections 2695.3(e) and 2695.4(k). In the session’s final hours, the Legislature unanimously passed AB 187, restoring wage parity for sheep and goat herders through January 1, 2029. The fix keeps targeted grazing available as a key wildfire fuel-reduction tool and protects herding jobs and operations that faced roughly $240,000 per herder in annual costs. 

As the Legislature adjourns, AFT is grateful to partners including CalCAN, California Rangeland Trust, California Farmland Trust, California Council of Land Trusts, California Farm Bureau Federation, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, California FarmLink, Kitchen Table Advisors, the Office of Kat Taylor, among many others. Together, we look forward to carrying this momentum into 2027.