Agricultural Access Verification Card Program Frequently Asked Questions

Ag Access Verification cards are obtained by completing an online application and submitting documentation of eligibility to the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures (AWM).  AWM will review your application and validate your Ag Access Verification program participation.  After validation, you will be notified to contact the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to schedule an appointment for issuance of your photo Ag Access Verification Card.  You will also need to provide your fire safety training certification of completion and government issued photo identification in order to be issued your card.

If you are an Owner/Operator, you will need to:

• Provide at least one valid Proof of Eligibility identification, certificate, or registration number and/or documents
• Submit a completed online application

If you are a direct, full-time employee*, you will need to:

• Provide a completed Letter of Authorization Form signed by your employer
• Provide at least one valid Proof of Eligibility identification, certificate, or registration number and/or documents
• Submit a completed online application

* Direct, full-time employment refers to full-time employment in which an employer has hiring and firing authority; has direct day-to-day supervision of the worker; pays the worker's wages; and withholds and transmits applicable taxes on behalf of the worker.  The individual applicant has a working knowledge of the operation’s agricultural property, including access to irrigation systems, farm equipment, and other essential infrastructure.

The application process requires:

• Submitting an online application, including attaching an eligibility document or providing an eligibility document in person
• Providing a Letter of Authorization Form signed by the employer if the card is for an employee
• Review and validation by AWM
• Scheduling an appointment with the Sheriff’s Office and providing a fire safety training certificate of completion and government issued photo identification to the Sheriff at your Ag Access Verification Card issuance appointment 

Applications are processed in the order received.  Although it may take more or less time based on demand, the total time from application submission to card issuance is estimated to take two weeks.

By providing the signed Letter of Authorization Form as an attachment they can upload to their online application.

As a representative of an employer applying for an Agricultural Access Verification Card, the employee should list the employer’s business address, not the employee’s home address.

Ag Access Verification Cards may be available to applicants that are owner/operators or direct, full-time employees of a commercial agricultural operation.  The applicant must have a working knowledge of the operation’s agricultural property and essential infrastructure.

Applicants may provide one of the following:

1. An Operator Identification number or Restricted Materials permit issued by the Agricultural Commissioner
2. Certified Producer Certificate documentation for direct marketing of agricultural products
3. California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Organic Registration for an Agricultural Operation
4. Executed agricultural land lease documentation
5. An Internal Revenue Service Schedule F (Form 1040) attesting to the applicant’s Profit or Loss from Farming
6. Documentation from the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency attesting that the applicant is a commercial livestock producer
7. Current registration of a livestock brand with CDFA Bureau of Livestock Identification

You will be asked in the online application form to provide your eligibility document number for an Operator Identification number, Certified Producer Certificate, and/or California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Organic Registration.

For other eligibility documents, including agricultural land lease documentation, IRS Schedule F (Tax Form 1040), United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency documentation, and/or CDFA Bureau of Livestock Identification, documentation will need to be provided in person to AWM during a scheduled appointment and will be reviewed and immediately returned to the applicant.  Document(s) will not be kept on file.

Yes, direct, full-time employees are eligible to apply for an Ag Access Verification Card.  Direct, full-time employment refers to full-time employment in which an employer has hiring and firing authority; has direct day-to-day supervision of the worker; pays the worker's wages; and withholds and transmits applicable taxes on behalf of the worker. 

Direct, full-time employees must provide a signed Letter of Authorization Form.  This form is completed by the employer and identifies the employer and employee, verifies the employee’s employment and hire date, and indicates the employee is authorized to apply for an Ag Access Verification Card.  The Letter of Authorization form will be deemed valid for one year from the date of execution unless the employer specifies a different duration.

The Ag Access Verification Card will be void and the card shall be surrendered to the Sheriff’s Office.  A new application and Letter of Authorization Form from a new employer will be required for continued or future participation in the program.

An employee issued an Ag Access Verification Card must maintain employment with the employer listed in the application, otherwise the Ag Access Verification Card will be void and the card shall be surrendered to the Sheriff’s Office.  The agricultural operation owner/operator is responsible for notifying the Sheriff’s Office when an employee cardholder is no longer employed by the owner/operator.

You may contact the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office via email at sheriff-ag-access@sonoma-county.org.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reviews and approves the fire safety training classes.

Once your application has been verified and approved by AWM, you will receive an email saying your application was approved and giving you instructions on how to schedule an appointment with the Sheriff’s Office for issuance of your card.  This appointment will require you to present your fire safety training certificate of completion and a government issued photo identification as well as having your picture taken in order to receive your card.

The Agricultural Access Verification Card will expire 42 months after the date of your fire safety training course completion.

Should an emergency occur before, during the application and review period, or otherwise prior to Ag Access Verification Card issuance, the County and its administering agencies will prioritize card issuance to those who may be seeking potential access to properties within a proximal radius to the emergency at the time.  We will prioritize those more directly impacted by the emergency.

In the case that a fire or other emergency or disaster occurs and evacuation zones are necessary to manage the emergency, an announcement will be made through SoCo Emergency declaring the Ag Access Verification Program has been activated.  Agricultural owner/operators or their employees with valid Ag Access Verification Cards may seek potential access to properties located within a specified evacuation area if deemed safe by law enforcement authorities in consultation with fire and other emergency agencies.

1. Access will not be granted outside of daylight hours and those granted access must exit prior to sunset.
2. All persons must depart the restricted area by the same route they entered.
3. An escort from law enforcement and other emergency personnel may be required at the discretion of onsite law enforcement or other emergency personnel.
4. All individuals who were provided access into an evacuated area must leave immediately if directed to do so by law enforcement or other emergency personnel.

1. Each person seeking entry must have their own Ag Access Verification Card and must have it in their possession. For example, if three people in one car seek to enter an evacuated area, ALL THREE people must possess their own Ag Access Verification Card.
2. Individuals inside the evacuated areas must have their Ag Access Verification Card with them at all times and be able to present it to law enforcement. On-scene law enforcement maintains full discretion to remove individuals who are unable to present their Ag Access Verification Card.

Currently the approved program activities are limited to:

1. Evacuating, transporting, sheltering, feeding, watering, administering veterinary or other care to livestock
2. Irrigating crops
3. Fueling emergency generators or providing auxiliary support to peace officers and emergency personnel (such as identifying access roads and water points)

Activities not currently allowed include harvesting or sowing crops, food processing, and facility repairs.

 To learn more about the Ag Access Verification Card Program, please refer to the Administrative Program Document updated September 19, 2023.