AFT, CalCAN, and a Broad Coalition of Agricultural and Conservation Organizations Commend Governor Gavin Newsom's Signing of the FY 2026-27 Budget, Delivering Major Investments in Agricultural Land Protection 

Sacramento, CA – American Farmland Trust (AFT), the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN), and a broad coalition of agricultural, conservation, and land protection organizations applaud the California State Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom for approving a FY 2026-27 budget, as part of AB 113 Budget Act of 2026, that strengthens California's commitment to protecting farmland and ranchland.

The budget provides $50 million for the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program and directs at least 20% of funding from the AHSC Sustainable Communities Account, administered by the Strategic Growth Council, to SALC. Together, these investments represent a major victory for agricultural land conservation and reflect years of advocacy by farmers, ranchers, land trusts, conservation organizations, and local governments across California. 

This funding will help ensure that California's agricultural lands remain in production for generations to come, supporting food security, rural economies, climate resilience, and the long-term viability of the state's farming and ranching communities. 

“Over my quarter-century in state government, I have worked for agricultural land protection in a number of ways – through bills I authored on the Williamson Act and the development of the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) during my time as Secretary for Natural Resources. In a challenging budget year, I am pleased that funding for SALC was included in the final budget. I’m grateful to American Farmland Trust, CalCAN, and the many others who worked with us throughout the budget process to secure continued state support for agricultural land protection.” Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) 

“Farmers are leaders in reducing carbon emissions across California, and for many years investment in agriculture has been a crucial component of California’s cap and invest program. I am pleased to see the beginnings of a renewed focus on agricultural investment in this year’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund allocations. This is an important starting point for continued GGRF investments which are vital to California’s rural and agricultural communities.” Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) 

“Growing up as a farmer, I know how much our land means to the families who work it and to the communities that depend on it. This investment is about making sure our farmers and ranchers have a future here and that our children and grandchildren can continue to grow healthy food and make a living on this land,” said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “I’m proud of this investment and grateful to everyone who came together to make it possible.” 

"Investing in SALC helps family farmers stay in business and helps new farmers secure access to land, all while protecting our state's important agricultural farmland," said Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno). "These investments are critical to supporting our strong agricultural communities and rural economies." 

“I am gratified to see the passage of a robust GGRF framework that was negotiated during the end of the session. Following months of advocacy, including authoring coalition letters to the Governor and legislative leadership, we came to an agreement that protects Tier 3 programs within GGRF. With climate change worsening, federal funding being withheld, and an economy in crisis, now is not the time to stall progress on reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you to the large coalition of transportation and climate advocates for coming together and securing funding for clean drinking water, transportation infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and more,” said Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D- San Rafael) 

“Protecting farms and ranches that feed California is good for our people, economy and our environment,” said California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot. “It means more food production, less sprawl. More rural jobs, less traffic and congestion. Now, thanks to our Governor and Legislature, we’re doubling down by funding more affordable housing and agricultural preservation so growth happens where it should. The result is cleaner air, vibrant communities, and thriving working lands that endure for generations.” 

“California's farm and ranch lands are among our state's most valuable resources,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program is a proven investment that protects productive working lands while supporting the long-term viability of farming and ranching across the state. This funding advances the priorities outlined in CDFA's Climate Resilience Strategy and the State’s AB 1757 Nature-Based Solutions targets, and I am grateful to Governor Newsom, our legislative leaders, and the many agricultural and conservation partners whose collaboration made this investment possible. Together, we are ensuring California's working lands continue to deliver economic, environmental, and food security benefits for generations to come.” 

California's agricultural lands are the foundation of the nation's food system and a critical component of the state's climate and environmental strategy. Since its creation in 2014, the SALC Program has funded the permanent protection of prime and important agricultural land through conservation easements, fee title acquisitions, and planning grants that help local governments guide growth away from working lands. 

SALC is one of California's most cost-effective climate investments, ranking third out of 122 programs funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. As of 2026, the program is responsible for approximately 14.4 percent of total estimated Greenhouse Gas reductions over project lifetimes.¹  

As the State continues to lose farmland and ranchland to development, sustained investment in agricultural land conservation remains essential. Since 1984, more than 1.6 million acres of agricultural land have been converted to non-agricultural uses, including more than 816,000 acres of prime farmland and grazing land. SALC is one of the few state programs that directly support farmers, ranchers, beginning farmers, veteran farmers, Tribal communities, and historically underserved producers in securing and protecting working lands. Continued investment in SALC strengthens agricultural viability, food security, rural economies, climate resilience, and the future of California agriculture. 

“At a time when farmers and ranchers face significant economic pressures, this investment in SALC will help keep agricultural lands in production and ensure a strong future for California agriculture,” said Jenny Lester Moffitt, Vice President of Farmland Protection and Strategic Priorities at American Farmland Trust. “As a farmer and policymaker, I know firsthand the essential role farmland and ranchland play in securing our food supply, strengthening our economy, and sustaining our rural communities. American Farmland Trust applauds our coalition partners, legislative champions, and the Newsom Administration for recognizing that protecting working lands is an investment in all of California.” 

“Permanently protecting agricultural lands at risk of development is critical to supporting the long-term viability of agriculture in California, said Anna Larson, Associate Policy Director at CalCAN. “The SALC program supports permanent ag land protection while simultaneously helping to meet our state’s climate and conservation goals, as outlined in the Scoping Plan, Natural and Working Lands Strategy, CDFA Climate Resilience Strategy, and 30 x 30 goals.” 

"My sincere thanks to Governor Newsom and the Legislature, especially Senator John Laird, for the continued funding of the SALC program.  California has been the nation's leading agricultural producer for more than 60 years. We must maintain our agricultural lands in a sustainable and regenerative manner so that the next generation of farmers and ranchers can feed our state and nation while also supporting the economic vitality of our rural communities." said Kat Taylor, Co-Founder of TomKat Ranch and President of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation.

“SALC is an essential tool for keeping California’s farms and ranches working in the face of growing development pressure,” said Michael Delbar, Chief Executive Officer of the California Rangeland Trust. “It has been a critical source of funding for voluntary conservation easements, helping protect rangeland from conversion while allowing us to leverage federal conservation dollars to protect even more land. Keeping these privately owned working lands intact supports viable agriculture, preserves open space and wildlife habitat, and ensures the many public benefits they provide endure for future generations. We appreciate the Governor and Legislature recognizing the importance of SALC and investing in California’s working lands.” 

“California’s investment in SALC is an investment in the future of agriculture. California Farmland Trust has seen firsthand the tremendous commitment from family farmers who want to permanently protect their land and ensure it remains available for agriculture for generations to come. SALC provides the critical funding that turns that commitment into permanent conservation. We are grateful to the Governor and Legislature for recognizing that once farmland is lost, we cannot get it back.” Charlotte Mitchell, Executive Director, California Farmland Trust. 

“The SALC program has provided critical funding to support land trusts in the permanent protection of working lands throughout the State. We are grateful to all of our advocacy partners who came together to support continued funding for SALC, and to the Legislature and the Governor for including this funding in the 2026-27 Budget. We will continue to work on SALC funding into the future with the incoming Governor and our Legislative partners.” Caroline Godkin, Executive Director, California Council of Land Trusts. 

This investment reflects California's continued leadership in protecting working lands, supporting farmers and ranchers, and advancing smart land use planning. This funding allocation follows a coordinated advocacy effort that included a coalition sign-on letter supported by more than 80 agricultural, conservation, land trust, and rural community organizations from across California. We thank Governor Newsom and the Legislature for recognizing the critical role agricultural land conservation plays in strengthening food security, supporting rural economies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring a resilient agricultural future for California. 

### 

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms No Food® message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural land, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and supported thousands of farm families.