SUSTAINING AG ON THE SUSTAINING AG ON THE EDGE:EDGE:

PRINCIPLES & STRATEGIESPRINCIPLES & STRATEGIES

Ventura County• Population of over 800,000

• Voter imposed growth boundaries for the County and 8 of the 10 cities

• Gross agricultural production value of approx. $1.4 billion – 10th in State (2004)

• Top Crops (2004)1. Strawberries2. Nursery Stock3. Lemons4. Avocados5. Celery

Ventura County Ag Futures Alliance (AFA)A collaborative forum of the agricultural,

environmental and civic communities

www.agfuturesalliance.net

4 Principles and 24 Strategies to Achieve Agricultural Sustainability in Ventura

County

AFA now includes Ventura, Kern, Merced & Yolo Counties

BUFFERS ARE NECESSARY

1. Create and maintain buffers between ag lands &urban uses

2. Buffer zones should be based on consistent standards

3. Responsibility rests with encroaching urban use (not pre-existing ag use)

4. If no buffer exists, grower should be compensated for production loss

Principle 1: Buffers are necessary between agriculture and neighboring uses

Principle 2: Permanent boundaries are needed between agricultural production areas and urban

uses5. Boundaries should be physical

features – natural or man made6. Voter established growth

boundaries should be reviewed to ensure long-term boundaries.

7. Should encompass large swaths of land

8. Allow public open space to serve as boundaries wherever possible

9. Use proven land conservation tools (LCAs, FSZs, easements, TDRs, etc.)

PERMANENT BOUNDARIES ARE NEEDED

10. General plans should contain an ag element that contains specific principles/strategies to sustain ag

11. Urban development should be directed to areas least desirable for ag

12. Investments in infrastructure should be directed into existing urban areas

13. Smart Growth - Encourage creative models of mixed-use development/higher density in already urban areas

14. Promote and maintain farm worker housing

Principle 3: Development strategies should encourage protection of agricultural lands

USE REGULATIONS, POLICIES & AGREEMENTS

15. If ag conversion must occur, protect nearby ag operations from “domino” effect through buffers/boundaries

16. Direct protection and preservation toward large blocks of farmland

17. Create policies and agreements that preserve ag resources before conversion pressures occur

18. Urban function sites (schools, etc.) should be located to not conflict with ag uses

19. Encourage LAFCO to adopt regulations consistent with principles

20. County should fund staff to monitor land use projects affecting ag

Principle 3 Strategies (continued)

USE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS TO PROTECT AG

21. Zoning should be flexible and not unduly restrict use of ag lands

22. Widest definition of ag uses should be allowed due to changing markets

23. Encourage public education and awareness of ag operations

24. Local gov’t must support critical ag-supporting businesses (packinghouses, chemical distribution facilities, irrigation supply companies, etc.)

SUPPORT AGRICULTURE BUSINESSES

Principle 4: Regulatory structure should allow flexibility for agricultural operations

Ag Futures Alliance

Summary – Principles to Achieve Ag Sustainability in Ventura County

Principle 1: Buffers are necessary between agriculture and neighboring usesPrinciple 2: Permanent boundaries are needed between agricultural production areas and urban usesPrinciple 3: Development strategies should encourage protection of agricultural landsPrinciple 4: Regulatory structure should allow flexibility for agricultural operations