Agriculture: Cannella Environmental Farming Act of 1995.

Assembly Member Connolly's proposal to modernize California's agricultural support framework transforms the Cannella Environmental Farming Act into a comprehensive sustainable agriculture program focused on climate resilience and ecosystem health. The legislation expands the state's Scientific Advisory Panel from nine to eleven members while broadening its mandate to guide research, incentives, and technical assistance for sustainable farming practices.

The bill restructures existing technical assistance programs to provide enhanced support for farmers and ranchers, particularly those operating smaller farms under 500 acres. Technical assistance providers would receive funding to help producers apply for grants, implement funded projects, and access shared equipment through regional centers. The legislation requires that at least 25 percent of technical assistance funds serve socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, with priority consideration for translation services and targeted outreach materials.

Under the revised framework, the Department of Food and Agriculture would allocate between 5 and 20 percent of program funds toward technical assistance through direct grants or block funding. The bill authorizes assistance providers - including nonprofit organizations, resource conservation districts, and academic institutions - to use funds for staff training, capacity building, and equipment sharing programs. These changes aim to create a more coordinated and accessible system of support for agricultural producers adopting climate-smart practices that promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.

The legislation maintains existing programs like Healthy Soils while expanding their scope to encompass broader sustainability goals. The restructured advisory panel, comprising both scientific experts and agency representatives, would guide implementation of these programs while helping align agricultural practices with the state's environmental and climate objectives through evidence-based recommendations to government agencies.