Agriculture
Issues
Our ranchers and farmers provide more than just food here in Calaveras County. The rolling hills and beauty of well-kept ranches and farms help make our county one of the most scenic in the state. In fact, the fate of a number of District 2 communities hinges almost entirely on the continued inclination and financial ability of a few ranching and farming families to work their land rather than sell it for subdivisions. In light of the harsh economics facing most family farms and ranches, this amounts to a form of self-sacrifice or philanthropy. It is in our community interest to help them succeed.
Goal
- The county should maintain a strong family ranching and farming sector, bolstered by a supportive county economic plan and general plan agricultural element.
Actions
The county should:
- Facilitate value-added production at local farms and ranches.
- Promote agricultural tourism.
- Support the marketing efforts of Calaveras Grown, the Wine Grape Growers, the Calaveras Wine Association, the Calaveras Farm Bureau, the Calaveras Cattlemen, and the Calaveras Cattlewomen.
- Prioritize agriculture projects in appropriate county departments.
- Support regional and state efforts to create funding structures for purchasing conservation easements on agricultural land to compensate ranchers, farmers, and timberland operators for the public benefits their lands provide.
- Update the general plan to be consistent with the recent reforms of the agricultural zoning code.
- Include an agricultural element in the county general plan.
- Continue to support the work of the Agricultural Dispute Resolution Committee.
- Advocate for and facilitate creation of agricultural conservation easements.
- Lend its voice to the fight to retain the Williamson Act.