Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program DRAFT GUIDELINE WORKSHOPS

Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program DRAFT GUIDELINE WORKSHOPS October 24 | Oroville, CA October 29 | Bakersfield, CA October 30 | Watsonville, CA 2/23/2021 1

Strategic Growth Council $130 million Department of Conservation $5 million Ag Lands Conservation 2/23/2021 Housing and Community Development $120 million Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities 3

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LANDS CONSERVATION PROGRAM Goals of the SALC Program: v Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide other co-benefits, v Focus on agricultural lands most critical/ at risk of conversion to non-agricultural uses, and v Leverage the investments. 2/23/2021 4

Proposed SALC Program Structure Strategy FY 2014 -15: ~$1 m Easements FY 2014: ~$4 m Management Practices Future Years Program Elements 2/23/2021 5

Agricultural Land Strategy Grants to Identify important/critical ag lands and prepare strategies to guide protection • Eligible applicants: counties and/or cities in collaboration with partners • Maximum grant award up to $100, 000, with a required 10% local match • Example projects –updates to General Plans to include an agricultural element, inventories of agriculturally zoned lands to establish local priorities for conservation, community consensusbuilding activities to develop ag preservation strategies. 2/23/2021 6

Strategy Grants – Scoring Criteria 100 points total Need for the proposed plan or strategy 40 points Integration of Entities and Existing Resources 25 points Community Involvement and Participation 20 points Disadvantaged Community Impacts 5 points Organizational Capacity 10 points 2/23/2021 7

Strategy Grants – What to Submit 1 Application Form Cover Sheet 2 Answers to the application scoring criteria questions (no more than 8 pages). 3 Work plan, which describes the specific steps that will be taken to develop the ag land strategy or plan, including benchmarks, target completion dates, and a cost estimate. 4 Work Plan Summary 5 Area map of what will be covered by the proposed plan 6 Signed authorizing resolution from governing body. 7 Disadvantaged Community evidence (if applicable) 8 Support letters/ evidence of collaboration. 2/23/2021 8

Agricultural Conservation Easements to permanently protect important/critical ag lands • Eligible applicants: cities, counties, nonprofits, resource conservation districts, regional park or open space districts or authorities. • No maximum award, but requires a match of 50% or more toward the direct easement acquisition total. • Example projects – acquisitions that demonstrate risk of conversion to non-agricultural use; contributes toward AB 32 goals; is part of a long-term commitment to ag land conservation. 2/23/2021 9

Agricultural Easements: Criteria for Consideration Project demonstrates the contribution that the easement will make toward meeting AB 32 goals, including but not limited to: • Decreased number of parcels or development rights, thereby avoiding future increases to vehicle miles travelled; • Locations that would support the establishment of greenbelts or urban separators; • Carbon sequestration potential; • Participation in land management or energy efficiency programs that contribute to overall improved efficiency in the agricultural operation 2/23/2021 10

Agricultural Easements: Criteria for Consideration (Continued) ü Parcel is large enough to sustain commercial agricultural production, and is in an area that possesses the necessary market, infrastructure, and agricultural support services ü Without conservation, the land proposed for protection is likely to be converted to non-agricultural use in the foreseeable future. ü The proposal is consistent with the city or county general plan, and the governing body (by resolution) approves the proposal. ü The applicable city or county has a general plan that demonstrates a long-term commitment to agricultural land conservation. 2/23/2021 11

Agricultural Easement Grants– What to Submit 1 Application Form Checklist and Cover Sheet 2 Executive Summary (1 page maximum) 3 4 Budget Easement Project Summary 5 Project Characteristics (6 pages maximum) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Documentation of Public Notice Preliminary Title Report and Assessor's Parcel Map Appraisal Landowner Letter of Support Conflict of Interest Certification Easement Monitoring Plan (3 pages maximum) Other components and certifications, as applicable 2/23/2021 12

Upcoming Milestones Strategy Grants (up to $1 M available) December 17: January 2015: March 2015: June 2015: Guidelines Approval, SGC Council Meeting Call for Proposals Released Applications Due Awards Recommend to SGC Council for Approval Agricultural Easements (up to $4 M) December 17: Guidelines Approval, SGC Council Meeting January 2015: Call for Proposals Released March 2015: Applications Due June 2015: Awards Recommended to SGC Council for Approval July 2015 and beyond: Applications will be accepted at any time and will be reviewed periodically (3 x per year) for approval at future Council meetings Agricultural Lands Management Practices Proposed for future funding cycles. 2/23/2021 13

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL LANDS CONSERVATION PROGRAM Comments on the draft SALC program guidelines should be submitted by OCTOBER 31, 2014, to ahsc_ag@sgc. ca. gov. More information on the SGC website at: http: //www. sgc. ca. gov/s_salcprogram. php THANK YOU! 2/23/2021 14