SAGE participates as a subconsultant on multidisciplinary consultant teams developing Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation program (SALC) plans for California counties. These efforts share the goal of investing in agriculture as a long-term strategy to enhance community resilience and minimize the impacts of climate change .
The Ventura County Resilient Agricultural Lands Initiative, completed in May 2023, links the enhancement of the working lands economy with preservation, innovative land use planning tools, and public engagement into a singular plan to secure Ventura County’s agricultural future. The Mariposa County Agricultural & Working Landscape Conservation Plan, to be completed in fall 2023, will include assessing local risks, opportunities, and conditions, evaluating options for economic incentives – such as payments for ecosystems services, and developing a plan responsive to climate adaptation and community goals.
In both the Ventura and Mariposa efforts, SAGE’s focus is on supporting the development of multifaceted agricultural education and awareness strategies as essential elements in these broader agricultural conservation plans. Our premise is that a robust agricultural economy and permanent protection of agricultural resources requires public awareness, sense of connection and commitment to action. In both projects, we have co-created with diverse stakeholders, strategies for making a vibrant agriculture sector a foundation for community health, well-being and identity, as well as essential for climate change resilience.
