Aguiar-Curry’s AB 52 Signed into Law, Cementing Farmers’ & Ranchers’ Voices in Ag Policy

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) announced today that Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), legislation that codifies two advisory committees created by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to ensure the voices and lived experiences of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and small-scale producers continue to inform state agricultural policy.

"California's farmers and ranchers should have a voice in the decisions that affect their work and their communities," said Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, the bill's author. "AB 52 helps make sure their voices continue to be heard, especially the farmers and ranchers who have too often faced barriers to getting the support they need. I'm glad to see Governor Newsom sign this bill, and I'm thankful to the farmers, ranchers, and producers who shared their experiences and helped get us here."

Following the 2017 Farmer Equity Act, authored by Aguiar-Curry, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) created the California BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee and the Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee. The committees give farmers and ranchers a direct voice in shaping agricultural programs and policies. The Farmer Equity Act recognized the barriers faced by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and required CDFA to include their perspectives in its work.

AB 52 codifies both committees in state law, ensuring they have a lasting role in helping shape CDFA's programs and policies. The bill provides clear statutory authority while giving the department flexibility in how the committees operate. AB 52 is also consistent with recent federal court decisions. Those decisions address specific federal programs and do not prevent California from defining socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or creating its own state programs.

"The farmers and ranchers who feed our state know firsthand what's working and what isn't, so their voices matter. These committees make sure those voices are heard when we're making decisions about California agriculture. This law helps keep that seat at the table," concluded Aguiar-Curry.

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Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry represents California's 4th Assembly District, which includes all of Lake, Colusa, Napa, and Yolo Counties, and part of Sonoma County. She serves as the Assembly Majority Leader and Chair of the California Women's Legislative Caucus.