A Triple Bottom-Line for California’s Communities and Nation’s Food System

The work of local and regional governments is central to the kind of growth that California communities want, including strong regional economies, greater mobility with less traffic, lower household and government costs, cleaner environments, and attractive open spaces.

California’s agriculture provides a triple bottom-line of economic, environmental, and public health outcomes for the state.

The more than $50 billion industry yields vast benefits such as abundant nutritious food year round for the nation, clean water, healthy soil, resilient landscapes, climate change mitigation, and local economic development.

To support local and regional governments in conserving this precious agricultural land, AFT creates resources, convenes meetings, and provides technical support. AFT’s Saving Farmland, Growing Cities study set forth six key strategies for protecting the state’s agricultural land. The report focused on the San Joaquin Valley, but these strategies are applicable to the entire state.

Key Strategies to Support Local and Regional Governments in Conserving Agricultural Land:

• Avoid development of the highest quality agricultural land.
• Minimize agricultural land loss with more efficient urban development.
• Ensure stability at the urban edge.
• Avoid rural residential development.
• Mitigate the loss of agricultural land loss with conservation easements.
• Encourage a favorable agricultural business climate.