Santa Barbara County AFA
The Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance is dedicated “to promoting the long-term viability of agriculture in Santa Barbara County while addressing environmental and social concerns through an alliance that values dialogue and collaboration.”
The Alliance was formed in 2007 when leaders from the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau and the Environmental Defense Center, invited a small group of growers, environmentalists, and community activists to find common ground for a better future for agriculture and the environment. Since their launch, the Alliance has focused on building trust and understanding across the historic divide between agriculture and environmental community. The group’s “Constitution”, adopted by consensus in September 2008, represents the culmination of the intense effort to rise above past differences and find common principles to support win-win solutions for farmers/ranchers and environment.
Since the completion of their Constitution the group has been focused on land-use issues facing the County, Williamson Act funding, and increasing the stock of housing for seasonal farmworkers.
Santa Barbara AFA Supports Hibbits Ranch Conservation Easement
February 2010—The members of the Santa Barbara Ag Futures Alliances agreed by consensus to send letters of support the US Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Conservation in support support for the Hibbits Ranch conservation project and the grant application of Land Trust of Santa Barbara for the project.
The full text of the Alliance letter is below:
February 2, 2010
Charles Tyson
California Department of Conservation
Division of Land Resource Protection
801 K Street, MS 18-01
Sacramento, California 95814
RE: LTSBC grant application for Hibbits Ranch conservation easement
Dear Mr Tyson,
At the request of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, we are submitting this letter of support for the Hibbits Ranch conservation project and grant application to the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program.
We believe that an agricultural conservation easement on the Hibbits Ranch will benefit the community in a variety of ways; keeping land with highly productive soils viable for agriculture; maintaining a farming history of the property which began in 1897; preserving the rural landscape that is the gateway to Lompoc and the scenic backdrop to Mission La Purisima State Historic Park; and potentially initiating discussions with neighboring farm owners who may be interested in protecting their land.
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has been serving our county for over twenty years and they are committed to protecting our natural lands and agricultural heritage. We hope you will see fit to approve their grant application and further their work to protect the Hibbits Ranch.
Sincerely,
The Members of the Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance