North Bay leads Central Valley in protecting farmland

Sokolow, A

North Bay leads Central Valley in protecting farmland

Author

Alvin D. Sokolow

Author Affiliations

A.D. Sokolow is Public Policy Specialist, Human & Community Development, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 52(3):17-22. DOI:10.3733/ca.v052n03p17. May 1998.

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Abstract

In a comparison of four counties in the San Francisco North Bay area with seven Central Valley counties, researchers found that the coastal jurisdictions are more aggressive in limiting the conversion of farmland to urban uses and preserving open space. The North Bay counties make more use of innovative programs — primarily the acquisition of conservation easements on farmland by nonprofit land trusts and local governments, but also the adoption of growth boundaries. Local political variations account for much of these regional policy differences. Especially notable is the greater mobilization of conservation coalitions, including the more extensive use of the ballot box to protect open space, in the North Bay than in the Central Valley.

References

American Farmland Trust. Alternatives for Future Urban Growth in California's Central Valley: The Bottom Line for Agriculture and Taxpayers.. 1995. Washington, D.C.:

Eisele V. Twenty Five Years of Farmland Protection in Napa County. 1994.

Faber P. Marin Agricultural Land Trust: A Case Study. 1994.

Froeliger JD, Sokolow AD. 1995. Farmland Protection in the General Plan: A Comparison of Seven Central Valley Counties. Research Paper 2, California Farmland & Open Space Policy Series. Davis: Agricultural Issues Center, University of California.

Glickfeld M, Levine N. Regional Growth…Local Reaction: The Enactment and Effects of Local Growth Control and Management Measures in California.. 1992. Cambridge: Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

Handel ME, Sokolow AD. Farmland and Open Space Preservation in the Four North Bay Counties. Research Paper 1, California Farmland & Open Space Policy Series. 1995. Davis: Agricultural Issues Center, University of California.

Sokolow AD. State Rules and the County-City Arena: Competition for Land and Taxes in California's Central Valley. Publius: The Journal of Federalism. 1993. 23((Winter)):53-69.

Sokolow AD. Farmland Policy in California's Central Valley: State, County, and City Roles, CPS brief, Vol 9 (October), California Policy Seminar, University of California. 1997.

Sokolow AD, Spezia J., Kirlin John J. Farmland Protection Policy. California Policy Choices, Vol. 8. 1992. Los Angeles/Sacramento: School of Public Administration, University of Southern California. p. 151-68.

Also in this issue:

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

Steering a course to farmland protection

Perspective: Statewide farmland protection is fragmented, limited

Urban growth squeezes agriculture

Conflicts arise on the urban fringe

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

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