Farmer Resource Hub Incentive Programs

NEW VERIFICATION PROGRAMS!

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NEW VERIFICATION PROGRAMS! ✅

USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP)

A restructured federal incentive program focused on directing funding to farmers while building market opportunities for climate-smart/regenerative products. Currently with up to $25 K in incentives per farm, this grant-funded initiative supports practice adoption, technical assistance, and supply chain development, with a strong emphasis on increasing producer revenue and reducing reporting complexity.

Choose the path that better fits your operation with 3 participation tracks:

  • Food Hub Ready Verified (prepare to meet wholesale and institutional demand),

  • Regenerative Verified (implement practices that strengthen your land and productivity),

  • Food Safe Verified - COMING SOON (build or enhance your food safety systems to access new markets).

Join a network of producers expanding opportunities and setting their operations up for resilience and long-term success.

Verification Incentive Program Tracks

  • Food Hub Ready Verified

    Get ready and prepared to access larger institutional markets by meeting requirements to sell to your local Food Hub. Get support completing documentation to help level up your farm, plus two years of access to a farmer-friendly platform for verification and traceability.

    Earn a $2,500 annual stipend (up to two years) upon completion.

    Get enrolled!

  • Regenerative Verified

    Access funding to implement regenerative practices that strengthen your soil and farm resilience.

    Receive up to $10,000 per year (for up to two years) to support practices like compost application, reduced or no-till (including equipment), high tunnels, and cover cropping, helping you invest in long-term productivity and thriving on-farm performance.

    Request More Info!

  • Food Safe Verified

    (COMING SOON)

    Advance your farm’s food safety readiness to achieve SAFE verification and prepare for future Group GAP eligibility. This track supports required steps including a recent food safety training certificate, up to $28,000 for a FSMA-compliant wash station upgrade, and active use of the Heavy Connect platform, positioning your farm for expanded market access.

    Learn More!

What is Food Hub Ready Verified?

As the San Diego Food Hub continues to grow, we’re expanding into larger institutional markets, such as schools and hospitals, which require stronger food safety documentation under FSMA standards. To support farmers in meeting these requirements, we’re launching our Food Hub Ready Verification program—an incentive-based opportunity designed to help your farm continue to expand sales through the Food Hub.

Through this program, farmers will complete and upload the standard documentation required by food hubs in order to access more stringent food safety markets. Participants will receive two years of access to Heavy Connect, a platform that supports food safety practices, verification, and traceability, along with a $2,500 annual stipend (for up to two years) upon completion of required documentation.

Moving forward, this documentation will be required to sell in most markets through Foodshed. Food Hub Ready is designed to compensate farmers in order to make that transition achievable.

For the first year of participation, the first $1,000 will be awarded once we receive (via Heavy Connect): 

  • Copy of a Certificate of Liability Insurance with Foodshed as an additional insured

  • W9

  • A signed copy of our Vendor Handbook

  • FSA ID # from the USDA (only required to receive incentive payments)

The remaining $1,500 will be awarded when we receive: 

  • A basic Food Safety Plan

  • Recent water testing results

Eligibility requirements:

  • Obtain your farm FSA ID # from the USDA to receive the incentive funding

  • Open to producers across California, with priority for Southern California producers

GET ENROLLED!

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Regenerative Verified

This track allows farms located in San Diego and Riverside Counties to access funding to implement regenerative practices that strengthen soil health and farm resilience!

  • Each farm can receive up to $10k per year, up to 2 years. Funding for this program available through August 2028.

  • Regenerative practices included are: 

    • Compost 

    • No till / Reduced tillage (& equipment) 

    • High Tunnels 

    • Cover Crops

  • The cost of Labor is not covered under this grant

Eligibility requirements:

  • Obtain your farm FSA ID # from the USDA to receive the incentive funding

  • Open to land-based producers in San Diego and Riverside Counties

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(COMING SOON)

Advance your farm’s food safety readiness to achieve SAFE verification and prepare for future Group GAP eligibility. This track will support up to 20 farmers in San Diego and Riverside Counties on required steps, including a recent food safety training certificate, an FSMA-compliant wash station upgrade plan (up to $28,000), and active use of the Heavy Connect platform, positioning your farm for expanded market access.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Obtain your farm FSA ID # from the USDA to receive the incentive funding

  • Open to land based producers in San Diego and Riverside Counties

Food Safe Verified

REQUEST MORE INFO!

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FAQ

  • Funding from this program comes from the USDA, as part of the federal grant AMP Advancing Markets for Producers, program available until September 2028.

  • Enrollment is on a rolling basis until we reach our maximum capacity (225 farms for Food Hub Ready Verified, 65 farms for Regenerative Verified, 20 for Food Safe Verified).

  • Yes! If you are a land based San Diego County or Riverside farmer, you are eligible for and can enroll in all 3 verification incentive tracks, depending on availability of funds.

  • To qualify for incentives, an FSA # from the USDA FSA office is required. 

    Applying to obtain your FSA Farm ID #:

    Email FSA Indio Office Program Technician Elenes, Arlene - FPAC-FSA, CA Arlene.Elenes@usda.gov

    cc: Amber.Infante@usda.gov,  resourcehub@foodshedcoop.com

    Email subject line: County (Riverside or San Diego) - AMP/Foodshed Incentive Program

    Documentation Needed / FSA ID Requirements:

    • Download and complete the AD-2047 Customer Data worksheet for the person or entity operating the farm. One for each owner if there is more than one. (If the land is leased, one is needed for the lessee and one from the owners as well. No need to submit the lessee tax ID number).

    • Current property tax or Grant Deed to the land (If the land is leased, you’ll submit a valid lease.)

    • A Google map image with the land/property boundaries delineated.

    Turnaround is about 4-6 weeks

  • Please fill out the Producer Interest and Intake form at the bottom of our contact page.

  • Food Hubs are encouraged to reach out to our Farmer Resource Hub team via email to resourcehub at gmail dot com.

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