Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that more than $128 million in Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program grants have been approved to permanently protect more than 40,000 acres of croplands and rangelands across 24 counties, returning more than 11,000 acres to California Native American tribes, securing farmland for military veterans, and benefiting low-income communities.
Eight projects receiving grants will return 11,316 acres of land to California Native American tribes to support cultural and traditional agriculture uses. This work furthers partnerships between the state and tribes and builds on the Governor’s direction for state entities to work cooperatively with tribes in returning ancestral lands to tribal ownership.
“It has never been more important to protect California’s agricultural lands from conversion to more pollution-heavy land uses such as residential development,” said Erin Curtis, executive director of SGC. “SALC projects that support farmers, preserve habitats and protect our environment are a win-win-win, and we are so grateful for the partnership.”
These funds support 52 grants, including grants that will secure hundreds of acres of land for three veteran-owned farms, with another four grants that will support farmers in low-income communities. These projects support landowners and the local agricultural economy, maintain access to nutritious food, help prevent the conversion of farmlands to development, protect rural lands and habitats, and prevent more pollution.