Increase participation of agriculturalists in traditional land trust activities

• Add agricultural producers to land trust boards

• Help land trusts and agriculturalists work together through Resource Conservation Districts and other groups State and Federal Programs

• Support programmatic funding for grant writing services available to agricultural producers

• Support full funding and extension of federal programs, examples

• Wetlands Reserve Program

• Conservation Reserve Program

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program

• Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program

• Private Stewardship Grants Program

As the frequency of land conservation agreements or conservation easements has increased, land trusts have become a major player in preserving working landscapes. Agriculturalists and land trusts would both benefit from having more agriculturalists sit on land trust boards.

Case Study: California Rangeland Trust

The success of land trusts such as the California Rangeland Trust originating from agricultural trade associations indicates willingness from landowners to negotiate with organizations that understand their lifestyle and share their background. The Ranch Open Space of Nevada established its first conservation easement in May 2005 on a ranch near Genoa, Nevada. Land trusts and agriculturalists have a similar goal: keep working landscapes in production. Land trusts that have agriculturalists on their board will work toward that goal and speak the same language as the landowners.

When the California Rangeland Resolution was signed in January 2006, it was hailed as a unique situation of ranchers and environmentalists joining forces. Long and serious negotiation took place between the two groups while working on the resolution, but the sheer number of agencies that signed the resolution signify a common thread between all: maintaining working landscapes and open spaces. Difficult negotiations does not equate to impossible tasks. Once a shared common value is agreed upon an anchor for discussion has been established. The resolution’s stated goal is to “collaboratively work together to protect and enhance the rangeland landscape that encircles California’s Central Valley and includes adjacent grasslands and oak woodlands.”