Bill > AB524

This bill establishes the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Program (FACT CA) to address challenges faced by small-scale, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers in California who struggle to access agricultural land. The program, administered by the Department of Conservation in collaboration with the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force, will provide financial and technical assistance to qualified entities (such as nonprofit organizations, public agencies, tribal governments, and land trusts) to acquire agricultural lands and transfer or lease them to qualified farmer participants. The bill prioritizes support for farmers and ranchers who are socially disadvantaged, operate farms of 500 acres or less, and are committed to sustainable agricultural practices. Eligible activities include land acquisition planning, purchasing land or easements, providing technical assistance, and making land improvements. The program will establish a Farmland Access Fund in the State Treasury, with funds coming from legislative appropriations, gifts, grants, and loan repayments. Importantly, the program requires that acquired lands be transferred to qualified farmers within five years, either through sale with conservation easements or long-term leases (10-20 years) that provide opportunities for eventual land ownership. The bill aims to combat land consolidation, protect agricultural lands from development, and create opportunities for farmers facing barriers due to institutionalized racism and limited access to farm loan programs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB524