Perspective: Statewide farmland protection is fragmented, limited

Sanders, S

Perspective: Statewide farmland protection is fragmented, limited

Author

Steve Sanders

Publication Information

Hilgardia 52(3):5-11. DOI:10.3733/ca.v052n03p5. May 1998.

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Abstract

Fueled by a search for affordable land to house 600,000 new California residents each year, conversion of farmland to development has proceeded at a rapid pace since 1950. The impact of growth and development on open space and agricultural land is a critical issue for a very simple reason: the areas best suited for cropland — those favored by good weather, flat terrain and access to water — are also the areas most in demand for new homes and businesses. If meaningful farmland protection is to be enacted, California's farm community itself must become more united and aggressive, forming a broad coalition with water suppliers, environmentalists, local officials, and business and community leaders.

References

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Heim M. Which counties are projected for the most growth?. Sacramento: Demographic Research Unit, California Department of Finance 1997.

Misczynski D., John J., Kirlin . “The fiscalization of land use.”. California Policy Choices, Vol. 3. Los Angeles/Sacramento: School of Public Administration, University of Southern California 1987. pp.73-105.

Nisbet B., Palmer Tim. “Conserving the land that feeds us.” 139–53. California's Threatened Environment: Restoring the Dream. Planning and Conservation League Foundation 1993.

Reisner M. Water Policy and Farmland Protection: A New Approach to Saving California's Best Agricultural Lands.. American Farmland Trust, Washington, D.C. 1997.

Also in this issue:

Ecology of gall-forming Lepidoptera on Tetradymia: I. Gall size and shape

Steering a course to farmland protection

Urban growth squeezes agriculture

Conflicts arise on the urban fringe

Views in the Suisun Valley: Rural dwellers divided on how to head off urbanization

North Bay leads Central Valley in protecting farmland

Ecology of gall-forming Lepidoptera on Tetradymia: II. Plant stress effects on infestation intensity

Permissive growth policies may encourage speculative investment in farmland

Land trusts conserve California farmland

Ecology of gall-forming Lepidoptera on Tetradymia: III. Within-plant horizontal and vertical distribution

Fungal pathogen controls thrips in greenhouse flowers

Legumes show success on Central Coast rangeland