California Farmland Trust reaches 90th conservation project, protecting more than 20,000 acres

California Farmland Trust has completed its 90th conservation project, permanently protecting a 593-acre ranch in Stanislaus County and bringing its total preserved farmland to 20,068 acres across California’s Central Valley. 

The latest conservation easement covers Three Bars Ranch near Oakdale, a property now used for almond and walnut production, along with a small olive grove and grazing land. The easement ensures the agricultural land will remain in farming while excluding areas that could be affected by the planned North County Corridor transportation project.

The nonprofit said the milestone comes as California continues to lose about 50,000 acres of farmland to development each year. Charlotte Mitchell, the Trust’s executive director, said protecting agricultural land is becoming increasingly important as development pressures grow.

“Our state loses approximately 50,000 acres of farmland to development every year, and anecdotally, we know that number is growing,” Mitchell said.

The Trust works with landowners to purchase or receive donated development rights through permanent conservation easements. Easements can help keep farms intact during ownership transitions while allowing agricultural production to continue.

Farm Credit organizations supporting the Trust include AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit and CoBank. Jacob DeBoer, director of marketing for American AgCredit, said California agriculture contributes more than $50 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports more than 400,000 jobs.

California Farmland Trust is the state’s only land trust dedicated exclusively to conserving irrigated farmland. The organization is focusing future conservation efforts in areas including San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties to create connected agricultural greenbelts.