This Toolkit contains resources in the following categories. Note: Some resources appear in multiple categories.
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State of Farmland in CA

An overview of the issues and solutions surrounding California farmland and agriculture.
Triple Harvest (PDF)
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Reference
Current and emerging threats to CA farmland, strategies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and farmland protection programs and policies to prevent urban sprawl.
The Measure of California Agriculture (PDF)
Source: UC Agricultural Issues Center |
Type: Reference
Comprehensive report discussing the complexity of CA land and agriculture, including details of land use patterns, urban sprawl, land ownership, and size distribution of CA farms.
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program ()
Source: CA Dept. of Conservation |
Type: Reference
Interactive database with maps, reports and statistical data on CA agricultural land, including loss of farmland, conversion of farmland and land use trends in the past 30 years. This program is in need of funding.
Saving Farmland, Growing Cities (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Reference
Current land use policies in the San Joaquin Valley and a new framework to prevent farmland loss on the urban edge and in rural residential areas.
Think Globally – Eat Locally (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Reference
A 2008 study of the San Francisco foodshed outlining distribution and consumption trends within a 100-mile radius.
Sustaining our Agricultural Bounty (PDF)
Source: SAGE, American Farmland Trust, Greenbelt Alliance |
Type: Reference
A 2011 study of agriculture in eight Bay Area counties, including the challenges and opportunities of land conservation, economic development, and rising land prices.
California Farmland Protection: Reality or Wishful Thinking? ()
Source: FarmsReach |
Type: Info Sheet
Conference recap, including an overview of CA agriculture and farmland protection, the defunded Williamson Act, using conservation easements as a protection tool, current obstacles and strategy recommendations for the future.
Farmland Access

Resources to find farmland available for rent or purchase across CA, and better understand lease agreements and ownership options.
Finding, Assessing, and Securing Farmland (PDF)
Source: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project |
Type: Reference
Guide to locating and securing farmland, including definitions and checklists on types of lease agreements, legal considerations, and negotiating strategies.
Finding Land to Farm (PDF)
Source: ATTRA |
Type: Reference
Overview of land leasing and ownership options, including a cash lease, long-term lease, and lease to buy.
Farmland Access and Tenure Innovations (PDF)
Source: Land Access Project |
Type: Reference
Strategies to increase land access to beginning farmers, such as encouraging private landowners, promoting government programs, and engaging private investors.
A Landowner’s Guide to Leasing Land for Farming (PDF)
Source: Land for Good |
Type: Reference
Guide for non-farmers to make their land available for agriculture, including information on farmer-landowner relation strategies, understanding your land production potential, and creating a lease agreement.
Land for Good: Acquiring Your Farm ()
Source: Land for Good |
Type: Reference
A comprehensive, free online course providing a range of worksheets, case studies, activities and tools to help new farmers build an action plan to secure farmland.
Gaining Ground: How CSAs Can Acquire, Hold, and Pass on Land (PDF)
Source: Equity Trust |
Type: Reference
Strategies to utilize your CSA members and community to help finance a farmland purchase.
Farmland Finder ()
Source: CA FarmLink |
Type: Reference
Online database listing farms for sale, lease or available for other partnership agreements in CA; for farmers with 2+ years of experience.
Farm Flip ()
Type: Reference
Online database listing farms and farmland for sale, auction, lease, and foreclosed farms across the US.
Farmers Seeking Land Clearinghouse ()
Source: Land Stewardship Project |
Type: Reference
Online database listing farms for sale, lease or available for other partnership agreements in the Upper Midwest.
Land Link-Up ()
Source: Moses Organic |
Type: Reference
Online database listing farms and farmland for sale, auction, lease, and foreclosed farms across the US.
Finding Farmland: A Farmer’s Guide to Working with Land Trusts (PDF)
Source: National Young Farmers Coalition |
Type: Reference
Guide to purchasing farmland that has conservation easements, including easement basics, land search strategy, different types of easements and legal language, communicating and negotiating with land trusts, and common timelines.
Estate/Succession Planning

Be smart and plan ahead for the future of your land and business with these resources on passing your farm on to future generations.
Do I Need Estate Planning? ()
Source: State Bar of CA |
Type: Reference
Basics to understanding estate planning, including taxes, trustees and creating a will.
Farm Succession Guidebook ()
Source: USDA, CA FarmLink, CLBL & UCCE |
Type: Reference
Comprehensive guidebook detailing the succession planning process through a compilation of industry and academic articles, resources and worksheets.
Family Farm Business Succession Plan Checklist (PDF)
Source: British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture |
Type: Checklist
Steps for families to take, including collecting and organizing financial paperwork, discussing the implications of the financial situation, and setting future goals.
Farm Succession – Do’s and Don’ts (PDF)
Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture |
Type: Info Sheet
Tough questions to ask yourself, and important considerations to make during the succession planning process.
Planning for Unexpected Future Events – the 5 D’s (PDF)
Source: Ag Ventures |
Type: Reference
Guide to assess and evaluate the risks that your business may face, including death, disability, disaster, divorce and disagreement.
Transferring your Farm or Ranch to the Next Generation (PDF)
Source: MSU |
Type: Reference
Emphasizes the interdependence of family and business in the succession planning process, including a number of worksheets on setting goals and communication.
Farm Succession and Transfer: Strategies for the Junior Generation (PDF)
Source: Land for Good |
Type: Reference
For the incoming farmer, suggestions and strategies to begin the process of a successful farm transfer from the current farmer to the next generation.
Conservation Easements

Understand the benefits and drawbacks of selling development rights to your land, opportunities and risks, and ways to work with land trusts and State-funded conservation programs.
Agricultural Land Conservation Easements FAQ ()
Source: CA Dept. of Conservation |
Type: Info Sheet
Basic overview, including what they are, how they affect taxes, and the process of placing one on your land.
The Farmland Protection Toolbox (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Info Sheet
Concise overview of the tools and techniques state and local governments use to protect farmland, including agricultural protection zoning, cluster zoning in residential areas, and conservation easements.
Land Trust Fact Sheet (PDF)
Source: Land Trust Alliance |
Type: Info Sheet
Overview and advantages of working with land trusts to fund your conservation easement, and the steps in the process of working with one.
Sample Agricultural Conservation Easement (PDF)
Source: Marin Agricultural Land Trust |
Type: Reference
Familiarize yourself with the language and format of a land conservation easement document, with this sample from Marin County, CA.
California Farmers and Conservation Easements (PDF)
Source: UC Agricultural Issues Center |
Type: Reference
Survey of 46 landowners in Northern CA detailing their experiences with conservation easements, including motivations, negotiations with land trusts, and perceptions about program success.
Conserving Farmland in California: For What and For Whom? (PDF)
Source: Global Food & Agriculture |
Type: Reference
Innovative tools to further preserve agricultural land when land value has surpassed agricultural productivity value, such as creating easements that exclude value of residents and infrastructure from the total value of the land.
CA Farmland Conservancy Program ()
Type: Reference
Basics of the CA State easement program, including grant application details, sample easement documents, and recent and past funded projects.
Triple Harvest (PDF)
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Reference
Current and emerging threats to CA farmland, strategies to curb greenhouse gas emissions and farmland protection programs and policies to prevent urban sprawl.
Saving Farmland, Growing Cities (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Reference
Current land use policies in the San Joaquin Valley and a new framework to prevent farmland loss on the urban edge and in rural residential areas.
California Farmland Protection: Reality or Wishful Thinking? ()
Source: FarmsReach |
Type: Info Sheet
Conference recap, including an overview of CA agriculture and farmland protection, the defunded Williamson Act, using conservation easements as a protection tool, current obstacles and strategy recommendations for the future.
Farmland Conservation 2.0: How Land Trusts Can Protect America’s Working Farms (PDF)
Source: National Young Farmers Coalition |
Type: Reference
Report outlining the need for more conservation easement funding and more thoughtful strategy to ensure protected farmland is affordable for farmers and kept in production. Based on survey of over 200 land conservation professionals.
Farmland Development & Climate Change

How the relationship between farmland development and climate change are impacting agriculture in CA, and the policies and programs to mitigate the effects.
Climate Change Consortium for Specialty Crops: Impacts and Strategies for Resilience (PDF)
Source: CDFA |
Type: Reference
Current challenges specialty crop farmers face due to climate change, and strategies to better manage water, soil and pests through support and technology innovation.
Triple Harvest (PDF)
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Reference
Current and emerging threats to CA farmland, strategies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and farmland protection programs and policies to prevent urban sprawl.
Using CA’s Farmland Preservation Programs to Reduce GHG Emissions (PDF)
Source: CA State University, Sacramento |
Type: Reference
CA State policies that help to retain agricultural land and reduce urban sprawl, and how this affects greenhouse gas emissions.
California Farmland Protection Act – AB-823 (PDF)
Source: CAFF |
Type: Reference
A 2013 bill to establish permanent protection of one acre of farmland for every acre of farmland converted to residential, industrial and infrastructural development projects.
Adaptation Strategies for Agricultural Sustainability in Yolo County, CA (PDF)
Source: CA Energy Commission |
Type: Reference
Strategies to increase agricultural sustainability in rural landscapes, including crop and water planning models, statistics on countywide greenhouse gas emissions, and farmer perceptions of climate change.
Soil Building for Climate Resilience Webinar (1.3) ()
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Webinar
Discusses the multiple benefits of keeping nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen in balance, as well as practical methods for increasing soil organic matter.
Biodiversity for Climate Resilience Webinar (2.3) ()
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Webinar
Discusses the climate benefits and additional environmental and economic benefits of on-farm biological diversity in farm products and in the landscape.
Water Use Efficiency & On-Farm Storage for Climate Resilience Webinar (3.3) ()
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Webinar
Explores practices to help farmers bank more water in soils and catchments, and improve water use efficiency on the farm.
Regional Planning & Policy

Resources about local land use planning policy, and agricultural zoning strategies used by regional governments to designate and protect specific areas of land for agricultural use.
Saving Farmland, Growing Cities (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Reference
Current land use policies in the San Joaquin Valley and a new framework to prevent farmland loss on the urban edge and in rural residential areas.
The Farmland Protection Toolbox (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Info Sheet
Concise overview of the tools and techniques State and local governments use to protect farmland, including agricultural protection zoning, cluster zoning in residential areas, and conservation easements.
Triple Harvest (PDF)
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Reference
Current and emerging threats to CA farmland, strategies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and farmland protection programs and policies to prevent urban sprawl.
Agricultural Protection Zoning (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Info Sheet
The history, function, benefits and drawbacks of zoning to protect the agricultural land base.
Sustaining our Agricultural Bounty (PDF)
Source: SAGE, American Farmland Trust, Greenbelt Alliance |
Type: Reference
A 2011 study of agriculture in eight Bay Area counties, including the challenges and opportunities of land conservation, economic development, and rising land prices.
Protecting Farmland on the Urban Edge ()
Source: Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust |
Type: Webinar
Progress in protecting farmland on the edges of the SF Bay Area, recommendations to improve land use planning and conservation easements, and critical programs that need funding.
Is Your Town Planning a Future for Agriculture? (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Checklist
Guide to assessing how well your town is supporting agriculture and the protection of valuable farmland.
California Farmland Protection: Reality or Wishful Thinking? ()
Source: FarmsReach |
Type: Info Sheet
Conference recap, including an overview of CA agriculture and farmland protection, the defunded Williamson Act, using conservation easements as a protection tool, current obstacles and strategy recommendations for the future.
Federal Programs & Policy

Government programs and current legislation aimed at protecting farmland through tax deductible and/or incentive programs for farmers and landowners. Also includes ways to take action and stay updated on current events.
Williamson Act Program – Basic Contract Provisions ()
Source: CA Dept. of Conservation |
Type: Reference
Overview of this 1965 conservation program where private landowners contract with the city or county to restrict their land to agricultural use. This program is currently unfunded.
California Farmland Protection Act – AB-823 (PDF)
Source: CAFF |
Type: Info Sheet
A 2013 bill to establish permanent protection of one acre of farmland for every acre of farmland converted to residential, industrial and infrastructural development projects.
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (PDF)
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Info Sheet
Overview of the federal program that provides matching funds to landowners to purchase conservation easements on their farm or ranch.
CA Farmland Conservancy Program ()
Type: Reference
A State easement program that provides grants to local government and non-profits to protect land that is under the threat to be developed for non-agricultural use.
Triple Harvest (PDF)
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Reference
Current and emerging threats to CA farmland, strategies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and farmland protection programs and policies to prevent urban sprawl.
California Farmland Protection: Reality or Wishful Thinking? ()
Source: FarmsReach |
Type: Info Sheet
Conference recap, including an overview of CA agriculture and farmland protection, the defunded Williamson Act, using conservation easements as a protection tool, current obstacles and strategy recommendations for the future.
Tracking Action Alerts
Type: Petitions & Subscriptions
CA High-Speed Rail Project

Resources about the controversial high-speed rail line (often referred to as the Rail Project) slated to be built through prime farmland in Central CA.
Bullet Train to Nowhere? ()
Source: American Farmland Trust |
Type: Reference
The Rail Project’s business model, costs and threats to farmland, and risks of increased urban sprawl.
CA High Speed Rail Authority ()
Source: CA High Speed Rail Authority |
Type: Reference
A series of fact sheets advocating for the Rail Project, including benefits to CA citizens and the funding and finance model.
California High-Speed Rail Settlement Reached ()
Source: Huffington Post |
Type: Reference
News story covering delays and decreased public support for the Rail Project due to farmer lawsuits and soaring costs.
CA High-Speed Train EIS ()
Source: CA High Speed Rail Authority |
Type: Reference
Report discussing environmental impacts of the Rail Project, and feasible alternative rail lines from Merced to Fresno.
Triple Harvest (PDF)
Source: CalCAN |
Type: Reference
Current and emerging threats to CA farmland, strategies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and farmland protection programs and policies to prevent urban sprawl.