For over 30 years, we have worked with willing landowners to protect working farms and ranches throughout Sonoma County. We have protected over 50 farms and ranches, safeguarding our county’s rural character, our capacity for local food production, and the critical connections necessary for thriving farms, dairies, and ranches.
The land we protect produces milk and cheese, grass fed meats, seasonal vegetables and fruits, pasture raised eggs, orchard crops like apples and pears, honey, and wine. 87% of these protected lands permit grazing, livestock production, cultivation, crop sales, beekeeping and the raising of fish and poultry. In addition, a total of 35,825 acres of grazing land is protected forever ensuring a strong local food source.
Conserving our working lands plays an essential role in maintaining viable and productive agriculture, especially as land prices rise and development pressure grows.
Conservation easements can:
Nearly all of the farms and ranches we’ve protected with easements are still family farms and ranches today; 98% of the working farms and ranches we’ve protected are still used for agriculture.
In 2020, the Sonoma County agricultural industry provided over 7,200 local jobs -- 158% above the national average.
We access state and federal funding sources to stretch our sales tax dollars. Most recently, we’ve garnered funds from the following sources: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, we have brought in $11.5 million ...
Read MoreKeeping agriculture thriving in Sonoma County has myriad benefits, including providing local food security, protecting groundwater basins, avoiding urban sprawl, retaining scenic beauty and the county’s rural character, and protecting biological diversity and wildlife habitat. Agriculture in our region is ...
Read MoreIn response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sonoma County agricultural community, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space commissioned an economic study to examine the effects of the pandemic on food-producing businesses in Sonoma County from 2020 to 2023.
Read More