California protects over 40K acres of agricultural land, supporting rural communities
The Californer/10329324

~ In a move to protect California's agricultural land and support rural communities, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the approval of over $128 million in grants through the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program. These grants will permanently protect more than 40,000 acres of croplands and rangelands across 24 counties, with a focus on returning ancestral lands to Native American tribes, securing farmland for military veterans, and benefiting low-income communities.

The SALC program works hand-in-hand with community needs, ensuring that California's fertile farmland is utilized for agricultural purposes while also protecting the environment, unique habitats, and biodiversity. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of this effort, stating that it has never been more crucial to safeguard agricultural lands from being converted into more pollution-heavy uses such as residential development.

Out of the 52 grants awarded, eight will return 11,316 acres of land to California Native American tribes for cultural and traditional agriculture uses. This aligns with the Governor's direction for state entities to collaborate with tribes in returning ancestral lands to tribal ownership. Erin Curtis, executive director of SGC (Strategic Growth Council), expressed gratitude for this partnership and highlighted the benefits of SALC projects in supporting farmers and preserving habitats.

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In addition to returning land to Native American tribes, these grants will also secure hundreds of acres for three veteran-owned farms and support farmers in low-income communities through four other grants. These projects not only benefit landowners and the local agricultural economy but also maintain access to nutritious food and prevent farmlands from being converted into development sites. They also contribute towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 3,332,497 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

This funding comes from Round 10 of SALC, which has awarded over $400 million in total over ten rounds to protect 240,000 acres. The SALC program is part of the Strategic Growth Council's Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC), which works in tandem to ensure that California is building affordable homes in the right places while also preserving open spaces and working agricultural lands at risk of development.

Governor Newsom's commitment to protecting California's agricultural land and supporting rural communities is evident through this significant investment. By permanently preserving these lands, the state is not only safeguarding its agricultural industry but also promoting environmental sustainability for future generations.

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