Agriculture Program

The Agricultural Program protects health and safety by enforcing agricultural laws and regulations through inspection, monitoring, permitting and licensing. The work of this program prevents the introduction of exotic pests harmful to California agriculture.

Principal Activities and Services

• Monitors pest conditions in agricultural and horticultural settings in San Francisco, including wholesale nurseries.
• Manages the orderly burning of agricultural crop residues to minimize the impact on urban areas, and works with producers to find alternative methods of agricultural waste removal.
• Compiles crop statistics and publishes the annual San Francisco County Agricultural Crop Report.
• Provide public and industry education on safe pesticide usage and best practices in pest management.
• Certify local farmer's markets.

Becoming a Certified Farmers Market

The San Francisco Department of Public Health's Agriculture Program is the local enforcement agency for the state Certified Farmers Market Program.

To become a certified farmers market:

1. Download and complete the Application for Certified Farmers Market Certificate.
2. Pay the appropriate certificate fee (see the Fee Schedule in the Helpful Links) by check or money order, payable to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
3. Send the completed application and fee to:
• Environmental Health Section
• Attn: Agriculture Program
• 1390 Market Street, Ste 210
• San Francisco, CA 94102

Farmers markets must also obtain a permit to operate from the SFDPH Food Safety program. The Food Safety Program will only accept applications for a permit to operate if prior application has been made and accepted by the Agriculture Program. For more information on obtaining a Food Safety permit to operate a Farmers Market, click here.

Other Regulatory Requirements

California Department of Food and Agriculture: Farmers Market managers need to make sure to fulfill all state program requirements. Click here for more information. Contact the San Francisco Environmental Health Section with questions.

Making a Complaint

Click here for information on how to make a complaint.