California Climate and Agriculture Network

08/21/2026

Meet Linda, a member of CalCAN’s Farmer Advisory Council. 🌱

In our latest farmer profile, Linda shares more about her farm, her approach to farming, and the unique perspective she brings to CalCAN’s policy and advocacy work.

This profile is part of an ongoing series that introduces members of CalCAN’s farmer advisory council. The group serves as advisors...

07/16/2026

For more than 40 years, Jo Ann has worked alongside farmers to show how healthy ecosystems support healthy farms. From birds and beneficial insects to hedgerows and cover crops, read our latest Stewardship Council Spotlight to learn why she says, "Nature is integral to our lives, not something apart from us."

This profile is part of an ongoing series that introduces members of CalCAN’s newly formed Stewardship Council. The Stewardship Council serves...

06/18/2026

Can Surplus Manure Protect Water Quality and Reduce Farms’ Fertilizer Costs? Read more in our guest blog from Sarah Castle of Sustainable Conservation.

This guest blog is by Sarah Castle, who is a Senior Scientist at Sustainable Conservation, which advances the collaborative stewardship of...

06/12/2026

During recent visits with farmers and ranchers in Mendocino and Colusa counties, we heard a common theme: economic pressure is driving innovation.

Stories of innovation and resilience are key to the on-the-ground conversations essential to our work. Understanding what farmers are experiencing and what's working in practice helps ensure agricultural policies are informed by real-world conditions.

Read more about what we heard in the field in our blog.

CalCAN’s work is grounded in farmer experiences and expertise. As part of my job connecting with farmers across the state, I...

05/07/2026

Extreme weather linked to climate change like drought, severe heat, floods, and wildfires costs California dearly, claiming lives and resulting in huge economic losses. New legislation would prioritize nature-based solutions

03/18/2026

CalCAN recently released a new report on California’s Alternative Manure Management Program.

Findings show these practices could contribute far more to 2030 methane reduction targets than previously projected while also supporting climate goals and improving water quality.

Join our webinar featuring dairy producers, technical experts, and industry leaders working to scale these solutions across California.

Speakers:
‣ Randi Black, UC Cooperative Extension Dairy Advisor, Sonoma County
‣ Jerry Da Silva: Dairy Producer in San Joaquin County
‣ Lisandra Vitorino, Dairy Producer in Stanislaus County and Regional Territory Representative for the California Dairy Campaign
‣ Assemblymember Connolly (District 12; San Rafael)
‣ Colton Fagundes (Associate Policy Director, CalCAN)

Register with the QR code or at https://bit.ly/3PfEgm8

01/27/2026

CalCAN’s Executive Director, Renata Brillinger, had the honor of meeting with Senator Adam Schiff and his wife and staff, along with a group of farmers and advocates at the EcoFarm Conference. At CalCAN, we look forward to working with him on the farm bill and federal climate and conservation policy!

Read more about the meeting in our blog: https://calclimateag.org/ecofarm-welcomes-a-u-s-senator-to-their-conference-for-the-first-time/

Photo Credit: Trav Williams, Broken Banjo Photography

11/10/2025

Our latest blog is a look at Sen. Blakespear’s visit to Del Sur, where prescribed grazing is improving fire resiliency and bringing residents a sense of peace and safety.

https://calclimateag.org/del-sur-prescribed-grazing-tour/

Special thanks to Sen Blakespear, Good Shepherds, and all the community partners that attended the event. Senator Catherine Blakespear Good Shepherds Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County

08/15/2025

Climate change is not a distant threat. It’s a daily reality affecting the health, food supply, and livelihoods of all Californians.

In this op-ed, our Policy Director, Brian Shobe, discusses the opportunity for policymakers to revamp the Cap-and-Trade program, which is currently up for reauthorization.

Here’s what’s at stake:

Right now, Governor Newsom's proposal includes more subsidies for Big Oil without requiring them to lower gas prices for consumers.

💡 Cap-and-Trade was designed to make our largest polluters pay for their emissions and invest those funds in climate solutions.

Funds have financed:
✅ $12.8 billion in projects supporting safe and affordable drinking water access, utility bill credits, help with home energy efficiency upgrade costs, and more.
✅ Plus provided support for farmers & ranchers adopting practices that cut emissions and build resilience

Now, we're calling on state leaders to:
🔹Eliminate pollution giveaways for the oil and gas industry

🔹Fix pollution offsets that enable polluters to avoid reducing their own pollution by sending $140 million out of state each year for projects with little to no climate benefits

🔹Invest in programs that benefit communities, families, and farmers, including a new commitment to direct 15 percent of funds to scale up agricultural climate solutions and ensure food affordability.

Without these reforms, California’s farming future, and our shared climate future, is at risk.

📖 Read the full op-ed: https://sjvsun.com/ag/families-and-farmers-deserve-priority-in-californias-climate-future/

07/08/2025

ICYMI: The Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety is hosting two webinars on Immigration Enforcement in the Agricultural Workplace - July 9 and July 10. Learn more and sign up here: https://aghealth.ucdavis.edu/events