Gov Newsom’s Veto Tells CA Small Farmers to Wait Again for Land Access, Ignoring Will of Voters

Governor Newsom’s veto of Assembly Bill 524, the Farmland Access & Conservation for Thriving Communities Act (FACT CA), authored by Assemblywoman Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), is a profound setback for California’s agricultural future and a disconnect from the will of the state’s voters and farmers. This decision sidelines a bipartisan solution to the number one challenge facing a new generation of farmers: securing land.

AB 524 sought to create California’s first-ever program dedicated to helping beginning and underserved farmers overcome the crisis of land access and affordability, as the state loses an average of four small farms daily. The bill passed the legislature with overwhelming, bipartisan support, reflecting a clear consensus on its urgency, and was in direct alignment with the Climate Bond funding allocation for land access.

“The Governor missed a vital opportunity to align state policy with what Californians want: a resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system,” said Jamie Fanous, Policy & Organizing Director for Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), the bill’s sponsor. “This legislation is a direct response to the calls from farmers, ranchers, and voters across the state to address a crisis that is pushing out our most sustainable producers and undermining our climate resilience. To delay the opportunity to address their needs ignores the very people who are the future of California agriculture.”

“AB 524 was a bipartisan effort to support California’s next generation of farmers and ranchers, and while I’m disappointed it was not signed into law this year, the need for this work remains urgent. We made historic progress in elevating the issue of land access, and I am committed to continuing the fight to ensure our rural communities and family farmers have a fair shot at success,” said Assemblymember  Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City).

Key provisions of the vetoed AB 524 included:

• Creating grants for land purchases by beginning & underserved farmer cooperatives, Tribal governments, community land trusts, nonprofits, and organizations committed to supporting beginning and underserved farmers.
• Providing secure land access opportunities for California’s beginning and underserved farmers.
• Funding for essential infrastructure and technical assistance.

The coalition behind AB 524 vows to redouble its efforts, pledging to pursue the appropriation of the earmarked $30 million in the Climate Bond, and continue advocating for the policies that California’s farmers and communities both need and deserve.