California Policy
Mission Area: Promoting Sound Farming Practices
California Agricultural Policy Priorities
Learn more about AFT’s policy recommendations for California to protect vital agricultural land, promote environmentally sound growing practices, and keep farmers on the land for generations.
Gentry Farm
Partners Amanda Gentry and Wendy Painter are the fifth generation to steward Gentry Farm, a historic family farm nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. With a Brighter Future Fund grant, they will expand their orchard and their toolbox of maintenance equipment.
Fat Beet Farms
Fat Beet Farm is an ever-evolving production farm/kitchen/bakery & education space. They used a Brighter Future Fund grant to install a native plants food forest.
Ellsworth Acres
Owned and operated by The Briermost Foundation, Ellsworth Acres is committed to helping residents in recovery learn how they can heal their self-worth and give back. They used a Brighter Future Fund grant to build an additional hoop house.
Muddy Fork Farm
Recognizing the sheep industry has minimal infrastructure for processing wool, Monica, a sheep and produce farmer, used a Brighter Future Fund grant to purchase a wool carder, wool picker, and washing machine.
Nettle Valley Farm
Dayna Burtness and her partner, Nick Nguyen, used a Brighter Future Fund grant to install two stainless steel waterers for their heritage pig operation.
Barton Brothers Farm
Meg Barton Galvin and her siblings used a Brighter Future Fund grant to purchase a rainwater harvesting and solar drip-irrigation system, investing in ag diversification, on-farm water development, and on-farm energy.
Aloha Redland
Aloha Redland Farm is preparing for climate resiliency and nurturing the land they steward. With support from a Brighter Future Fund grant they will install irrigation, improve infrastructure, and purchase equipment needed to maintain and expand their operation.
Green Street Academy Farms
Green Street Academy’s farm is run by its high school students as part of the urban agriculture and aquaculture programs during the academic year and as paid interns during the summer. They will use a Brighter Future Fund grant to buy supplies for another year of learning.
Rise & Root Farm
Run cooperatively by four intergenerational, multi-racial, & LGBTQ+ women, Rise & Root Farm’s mission is rooted in social justice and the healing power of food. They used a Brighter Future Fund grant to upgrade their greenhouse with water, electricity, and heat.