California’s agricultural lands are uniquely productive, supplying a large share of the nation’s most nutritious foods, including half of its vegetables, two-thirds of fruits and nuts, and one-fifth of milk. However, this critical land base is increasingly threatened by farmland conversion and water scarcity-driven fallowing. This chapter explores how the state can implement policies and initiatives to support the protection and conservation of agricultural lands, as well as facilitate informed land use decisions that support resilient agricultural systems.
Strategy 6.1 Implement policies and initiatives to support the protection and conservation of agricultural lands.
- 6.1.1 Permanently protect strategic agricultural lands.
- 6.1.2 Build local government capacity to identify and protect agricultural lands.
- 6.1.3 Update General Plan guidelines to better address and prevent farmland loss.
Strategy 6.2 Facilitate informed land use decisions that support resilient agricultural systems.
- 6.2.1 Enable community decision-making using land-use mapping tools.
- 6.2.2 Track existing processes that identify resource needs to support state climate goals.
- 6.2.3 Where land conversion occurs, enable orderly, equitable, community-driven land use decisions.
Strategy 6.3 Facilitate equitable land access to promote local food production and economic growth.
- 6.3.1 Address challenges with agricultural land access.
- 6.3.2 Provide an in-road to agriculture for the state’s urban residents.