Sacramento County has opened signups for its Ag Pass program, a system that lets vetted commercial farm and ranch operators return to evacuated areas once public safety officials say it is safe. Training is set for Monday, March 30, at the Ag Auditorium on Branch Center Road, with separate refresher and first-time sessions. The pass is meant to let growers tend livestock, maintain irrigation and secure equipment during disasters, while law enforcement and emergency managers keep full authority over evacuations.
The county's Public Information Office published the signup details and schedule on March 19, listing a 1–2 p.m. refresher for renewals and a 2:30–5 p.m. initial training, and directing people to register via Eventbrite, according to Sacramento County. The announcement also went out on X.
How the Ag Pass Works
The Ag Pass creates a pre-vetted roster of commercial operators who may be credentialed to enter an evacuation area and perform only those tasks officials have deemed essential once reentry is allowed. Program rules limit access to activities that reduce economic loss or assist emergency personnel, and holding a pass does not guarantee anyone will be let back in, according to the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
Program Origins And Rules
The county formalized the Ag Pass in an annex that the Board of Supervisors adopted in December 2023, setting activation triggers, eligibility criteria and coordination roles between emergency services and law enforcement, per the county's emergency planning annex. That annex also spells out how passes are issued, renewed, canceled and supported through required training so passholders can maintain eligibility and operate safely.
Where It's Been Used And The Debate
Counties across California have used Ag Pass systems during fires and floods to allow limited, coordinated access for essential agricultural work; Sonoma County, for example, activated its program during recent wildfire response. Researchers and worker advocates have raised concerns about air-quality exposure and hesitancy among some farmworkers to apply because of interactions with law enforcement, and the state has moved to standardize training and eligibility through legislation such as AB 1141, according to regional reporting and legislative analysis.
How To Apply
Applicants must prove they operate a commercial agricultural operation, such as by providing an RMP/OIN, IRS Schedule F, USDA FSA farm number or a farm lease, and they must submit a headshot; trainings are required before a card is issued, per the county's Ag Pass application materials. The Agricultural Commissioner's Office processes applications and photo submissions and can be reached at [email protected] or (916) 875-6603, and during an emergency Ag Pass access requests are handled through 3-1-1 or the Sheriff's Emergency Dispatch at (916) 874-5111.
Space at the March 30 trainings is limited, and county officials are urging eligible operators to register early so they have a pass in hand before the spring flood season, per Sacramento County. For program questions, contact the Agricultural Commissioner's Office or the county Public Information Office.
