City of Davis

FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ENTITIES TEAM UP TO SHIELD
YOLO COUNTY FARM FROM DEVELOPMENT

Contact:

• Mitch Sears, Open Space Coordinator
• 757-5542
• msears@cityofdavis.org

The amount of permanently protected farmland between Davis and Woodland has grown thanks to a joint federal-state-local effort to shield a family farm from development.

The Staib Farm – 300 acres on two parcels -- is located in the northwestern urban boundary of Davis. The protected block spans an entire mile, running east-west between Roads 98 and 99.
See map of property.

The properties are adjacent to an 80-acre agricultural conservation easement also held by the Yolo Land Trust that was previously established as partial mitigation for the development around the Davis Municipal Golf Course. They are half a mile from the City of Davis’ sphere of influence and one mile from city limits.

The Staibs were a longtime farming family in Yolo County. The farm was held by a family trust, which recently sold the property to Paul and Laura Barger. Winter wheat and tomatoes are grown on the property now; the Bargers plan to plant almond and walnut orchards. The Bargers last year worked with the City of Davis and the Yolo Land Trust to create an agricultural easement on a nearby piece of farmland.

Funding to purchase agricultural conservation easements on the properties was provided by DOC’s California Farmland Conservancy Program and the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service. The City of Davis and DOC paid transaction costs, and the city will hold the easement along with the Yolo Land Trust.

"The City is proud to have worked with a local farming family, the Yolo Land Trust, and our state and federal partners to protect this important farmland forever," stated Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson. "This project once again shows how strong partnerships can help maintain the viability of agriculture in Yolo County, promote sound stewardship, and help secure a farmer's future on their land. The result is a positive outcome for all parties involved and is a tangible legacy for future generations."

As of 2006, Yolo County ranked 23rd among California counties in total agricultural production at more than $370 million. Despite the efforts of local government and organizations to preserve the county’s farmland, 2,173 acres of agricultural land were converted to other uses from 2004-06, according to DOC’s Farmland Monitoring and Mapping Program. Much of this was attributable to wetland conversions in the Yolo Bypass along with urban development in West Sacramento and Woodland.

There are now more than 2,000 acres of preserved farm and habitat lands between Woodland and Davis, a cluster which has been named the John Williamson Easements, according to Judy Boshoven, Executive Director of the Yolo Land Trust.

The City is celebrating 20 years of active farmland conservation, having accepted its first easement in 1988. With over 3,000 acres protected to date, the City’s program was the first municipal agricultural protection program in the State and most likely the nation.