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Governor Gray Davis
today announced that two grants totaling
more than $728,000 have been awarded to
ensure that 300 acres of prime farmland
in the Salinas and Central Valleys will
remain in agricultural use forever.
"California has some
of the best farmland in the world and
agriculture remains the No. 1 business
in the state," Gov. Davis said. "These
grants are a step toward balancing the
needs of a growing population with those
of agriculture."
The money was used to purchase
agricultural conservation easements on
the farms. The property owners retain
ownership and control of farm
operations, but the non-agricultural
development potential is permanently
relinquished. The landowner receives
monetary compensation and/or tax
benefits.
The grants were
issued through the California Farmland
Conservancy Program, administered by the
Department of Conservation. The program
is funded by $25 million in Proposition
12 bond funds, approved by voters in
2000. Voter approval of Proposition 40
earlier this year provides funding for
additional farmland conservation
easements. The funding breaks down as
follows:
Merced County, $355,750, with additional
funding from the Great Valley Center.
The Merced County Farmlands & Open Space
Trust, with assistance from the American
Farmland Trust, has created easements on
three family farms totaling 102 acres
near Delhi. Two of the farms grow
almonds, while the other grows oat hay
and sweet potatoes.
The transaction will
help define the future boundaries of
Merced County's fastest-growing
community. Easements in the area create
a nearly contiguous block of permanently
protected farmland a mile wide. The
project is expected to discourage Delhi
from expanding south and encourage even
more farmland conservation. That, in
turn, could create habitat and watershed
benefits since the Merced River is less
than two miles south of the newly
protected properties.
Monterey County, $373,850, with
additional funding from the Packard
Foundation. The Monterey County
Agricultural and Historical Land
Conservancy has created permanent
easements on three parcels totaling 218
acres outside of Gonzales. Asparagus is
grown on all three properties.
The properties are right in the path of
development, located approximately one
mile from the city of Gonzales. The
Monterey County Agricultural and
Historical Land Conservancy's
acquisitions near Gonzales represent one
of the most strategic uses of
agricultural conservation easements in
the state. With the addition of the
latest parcels, more than 2,000 acres of
irreplaceable prime farmland is shielded
from development around Gonzales.
Since 1996, the California Farmland
Conservancy Program has issued 39 grants
totaling nearly $25.5 million to ensure
that approximately 21,000 acres of the
state's best farmland will remain in
agricultural use. For additional
information please visit the link below.
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