FMMP's study area is contiguous with modern soil surveys developed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). A classification system that combines technical soil ratings and current land use is the basis for the Important Farmland Maps of these lands. Most public land areas, such as National Forests and Bureau of Land Management holdings, are not mapped.
The minimum land use mapping unit is 10 acres unless specified. Smaller units of land are incorporated into the surrounding map classifications. In order to most accurately represent the NRCS digital soil survey, soil units of one acre or larger are depicted in Important Farmland Maps.
For environmental review purposes under CEQA, the categories of Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, Unique Farmland, Farmland of Local Importance, and Grazing Land constitute 'agricultural land' (Public Resources Code Section 21060.1). The remaining categories are used for reporting changes in land use as required for FMMP's biennial farmland conversion report.
Prime Farmland (P)
Farmland with the best combination of physical and chemical features able to sustain long term agricultural production. This land has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields. Land must have been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date. More information on the definition of Prime Farmland the soils qualifying for Prime Farmland is also available.
Farmland
of Statewide Importance (S)
Farmland similar to Prime Farmland but with minor shortcomings, such as greater slopes or less ability to store soil moisture. Land must have been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date. Download information on the soils qualifying for Farmland of Statewide Importance.
Unique Farmland (U)
Farmland of lesser quality soils used for the production of the state's leading agricultural crops. This land is usually irrigated, but may include nonirrigated orchards or vineyards as found in some climatic zones in California. Land must have been cropped at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.
Farmland of Local Importance (L)
Land of importance to the local agricultural economy as determined by each county's board of supervisors and a local advisory committee. In some counties,
Confined Animal Agriculture (PDF) facilities are part of
Farmland of Local Importance (PDF), but they are shown separately.
Farmland
of Local Potential (LP)
Farmland
of Local Potential is a subcategory of Farmland of Local importance and
aggregated with Farmland of Local Importance acreage in the land use conversion
table. Four counties include Farmland of Local Potential, see definitions below.
Definitions:
- Glenn County: All lands having Prime and Statewide soil mapping units which are not irrigated, regardless of cropping history or irrigation water availability.
- San Luis Obispo County: Lands having the potential for farmland, which have Prime or Statewide characteristics and are not cultivated.
- Santa Clara County: All
lands having Prime and Statewide soil mapping units which are not irrigated,
regardless of cropping history or irrigation water availability.
- Yolo County: Prime or Statewide soils which are presently not irrigated or cultivated.
Grazing Land (G)
Land on which the existing vegetation is suited to the grazing of livestock. This category was developed in cooperation with the California Cattlemen's Association, University of California Cooperative Extension, and other groups interested in the extent of grazing activities.
Urban and Built-up Land (D)
Land occupied by structures with a building density of at least 1 unit to 1.5 acres, or approximately 6 structures to a 10-acre parcel. This land is used for residential, industrial, commercial, construction, institutional, public administration, railroad and other transportation yards, cemeteries, airports, golf courses, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment, water control structures, and other developed purposes.
Other Land (X)
Land not included in any other mapping category. Common examples include low density rural developments; brush, timber, wetland, and riparian areas not suitable for livestock grazing; confined livestock, poultry or aquaculture facilities; strip mines, borrow pits; and water bodies smaller than forty acres. Vacant and nonagricultural land surrounded on all sides by urban development and greater than 40 acres is mapped as Other Land.
The Rural Land Mapping Project provides more detail on the distribution of various land uses within the Other Land category in eight FMMP counties, encompassing all the San Joaquin Valley counties. The Rural Land categories include:
- Rural Residential Land (R)
- Semi-Agricultural and Rural Commercial Land (sAC)
- Vacant or Disturbed Land (V)
- Confined Animal Agriculture (Cl)
- Nonagricultural or Natural Vegetation (nv)
Water (W)
Perennial water bodies with an extent of at least 40 acres.
Area Not Mapped (Z)
Area which falls outside of the NRCS soil survey. Not mapped by the FMMP.
OPTIONAL DESIGNATION
Land Committed to Nonagricultural Use
This category was developed in cooperation with local government planning departments and county boards of supervisors during the public workshop phase of the FMMP's development in 1982. Land Committed to Nonagricultural Use information is available both statistically and as an overlay to the important farmland information. Land Committed to Nonagricultural Use is defined as existing farmland, grazing land, and vacant areas which have a permanent commitment for development.
Important Farmland Categories Links
