Newsom vetoes land access bill, delaying support for California’s small farmers

CALIFORNIA — In a move that has stirred criticism from agricultural advocates and rural communities, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 524, – the Farmland Access & Conservation for Thriving Communities Act (FACT CA).

The bill, championed by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), was aimed at securing land access and affordability for beginning and underserved farmers.

The legislation had solid bipartisan backing in the state legislature and aligned with allocations from the state’s Climate Bond for land access.

Its provisions included creating grants for land purchases by beginning farmers, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, community land trusts, and tribal governments. It also proposed funding for infrastructure and technical assistance to ensure new farmers could make use of the land.

‘Veto sidelines policy solution’

Supporters say the veto sidelines a long-needed policy solution just as California continues to lose on average four small farms per day.

Community Alliance with Family Farmers policy and organizing director Jamie Fanous said the delay “ignores the very people who are the future of California agriculture.”

“The Governor missed a vital opportunity to align state policy with what Californians want: a resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system,” Fanous said.

Wilson expressed disappointment that it was not signed into law this year, but pledged to carry on the fight.

“We made historic progress in elevating the issue of land access … the need remains urgent,” she said.

Budget concerns stall plan

According to the Department of Conservation, administering the Farmland Access Program could cost about $575,000 in the first year and $500,000 annually to maintain three staff positions if funded at $20 million.

In addition, the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation estimated $525,000 per year for two years to help coordinate the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force.

Beyond these staffing costs, analysts warned of ongoing funding pressures potentially in the tens of millions to provide land access grants and technical assistance.

Supporters of AB 524 said the bill would have clarified how to deploy the $30 million already authorized under the 2024 Proposition 4 bond measure to help socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers gain secure farmland.

However, the Governor’s office noted that the allocation timeline and legislative guidance for those funds remain undefined — which may be part of the reasoning behind Newsom’s veto.

The coalition behind the bill says it will continue pushing to appropriate the $30 million and build broader public support.