Thanks to a $780,000 grant provided by the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) program, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority), in partnership with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and the Santa Clara County Planning Department, were able to purchase a 60-acre farm located in the Coyote Valley of Santa Clara County. This purchase adds to Coyote Valley’s growing network of protected lands and helps combat climate change by protecting prime farmland from being converted to more carbon-intensive land uses. This purchase also furthers the implementation of the comprehensive Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Plan finalized in January 2018, which Andrea Mackenzie, General Manager of the Authority defined as “a roadmap to protecting the multiple benefits that our region’s remaining farmlands and working lands provide.” This plan was also made possible by an award from the SALC program.
Formerly the largest fruit producing region in the world, Santa Clara Valley's rich agricultural heritage once included the production of cherries, apricots, and prunes that were shipped all over the country and met about a third of the nation's agricultural demands. But since the 1950s, urbanization has claimed many of the Valley's farmlands. Given the proximity to Highway 101 and Santa Teresa boulevard, the Coyote Valley farm’s access to both local and regional markets and processing facilities is exceptional. However, this feature also made the farm a desirable target for development before it was purchased by the Authority.
“The SALC program is aimed at protecting farmlands to reduce greenhouse gases, which in turn helps us maintain a myriad of important economic and ecosystem services,” said David Shabazian, Director of the California Department of Conservation. “As we preserve these working lands, we’re also directing new growth and housing into existing urban areas, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from those commuting to and from outlying areas.”
Through this acquisition, the Authority also aims to connect people to the importance of food security and the many environmental benefits local farmers and farmlands provide. Under the Authority’s ownership and management, this farm will convert from hay to higher value row crops and will help drive agritourism through initiatives like u-pick operations or a farm stand. The farm will also provide educational opportunities to pilot and demonstrate climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices and become part of a network of protected lands connected through a multi-use trail system.