California Underserved and Small Producers (CUSP)

Extreme Weather - Round 1

We are currently accepting applications!
April 14, 2025 - May 23, 2025

Brief Overview and Context: 
The Asian Business Institute and Resource Center (ABIRC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Fresno, California, is proud to share that it has been awarded a CUSP grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This grant will allow the organization to provide technical assistance (TA) and direct extreme weather relief grants, totaling $2.9 million, to eligible socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs). 

We want to thank the CDFA and CUSP team for giving ABIRC the opportunity to continue supporting SDFRs within the state of California. 

CUSP Direct Extreme Weather Relief Program Details:

The 2025 CUSP Extreme Weather Relief Grant Program provides reimbursement grants for expenses incurred as a result of impacts from extreme weather-related disasters such as flooding, extreme heat/sunburn, wildfire and frost.

The CUSP Program targets small and medium-scale agricultural producers, prioritizing Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers as defined per USDA guidelines.

Required Documents:

  • Valid State ID/Driver’s License or Other Valid Identification (Not Expired) 

  • Most current and up-to-date lease agreement and/or proof of land ownership (Not Expired) 

  • Documents that help verify gross income (e.g., tax returns, sales receipts, yield records, etc...)

  • Documents that prove extreme weather-related expenses (examples are shown below and must be verified with ABIRC staff) 

Examples of covered expenses can include but are not limited to:

  • Infrastructure Damage/Loss

  • Equipment Damage/Loss

  • Expenses associated with soil erosion/mud or water damage and/or clean up/debris removal

  • Purchase or rental of flood control equipment

  • Replacement of livestock feed, fertilizer, or other farm inputs or soil inputs (including compost and cover crops)

  • Livestock mortality/beehive loss/livestock veterinary expenses or transportation/moving costs

  • Water/soil testing to ensure food safety compliance after flood events

  • Replacement of crops: trees, nursery stock, perennial plant losses, or payments to services for tree removal or replacement after extreme weather events.

  • Crop loss/replacement

  • Land Tenure

  • Biological pest or animal disease/quarantining or eradication measures

Please Note: 

  • If you do not provide supporting documents that show covered expenses, a verification checklist will be conducted by a technical assistance provider in place of. 

  • All farmers and ranchers who submit an application will have the opportunity to participate in an optional intake assessment with ABIRC staff. The intake process may take at least 30 minutes and will provide applicants with additional information about programs and assistance available through ABIRC. The intake assessment is NOT required for CUSP applicants.

  • All submitted documentation is subjected to be verified by ABIRC TA providers and its administrators for validity.

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to email us at CUSP@fresnoabirc.org or call at 559-402-0067.