CA AB552

Establishes the Regional Farmer Equipment and Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program within the Department of Food and Agriculture to provide financial and technical assistance for farm equipment sharing, requiring collaboration with the Department of Conservation and advisory committees.

Provides eligible funding for developing and expanding equipment sharing programs including purchase and repair of tools and infrastructure, technical assistance and training, and grants for cooperative development entities serving disadvantaged farmers.

Prioritizes financial assistance first for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, then limited resource farmers and ranchers if funds remain, and finally for eligible entities serving these groups, with preference given to farms or ranches of 500 acres or less.

Eligible applicants include resource conservation districts, county agricultural commissioners, UC Cooperative Extension, tribal entities, small farmer cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations serving socially disadvantaged or limited resource farmers and ranchers.

Requires application descriptions of equipment to be purchased, lending program details with safeguards and outreach plans, and post-assistance maintenance plans; repeals the program on January 1, 2029.