Lucas Ranch, a 67-acre walnut orchard and recent addition to CFT’s portfolio of easements, helps to form a 633-acre greenbelt along the western edge of Gustine with two other ACEs held by CFT. This greenbelt will help limit Gustine’s growth westward, and commercial...

Central Valley Farmland Trust is Born ~ By Vicky Boyd    When representatives of four farmland conservation groups met in late 2003, they agreed that the status quo probably wasn’t the best way to protect agricultural land moving forward. Then the discussion evolved...

Passion Drives Action to Minimize Increasing Growth ~ By Vicky Boyd    With development of prime farmland occurring all around them, a small group of Merced County residents had reached a tipping point in the early 1990s. Led by Linda Macedo, Eleanor Lema and a few...

Spring is here and with it, the launch of many certified farmers’ markets (CFMs) across California.  CFMs are a great way for farmers to bring their crops directly to consumers in accordance with rigorous state standards specific to food safety, handling and...

California is an agricultural powerhouse, producing over 400 commodities that provide nutrients to communities across the world. With approximately 24.2 million acres of premium soil dedicated to agricultural uses across the state, it’s easy to imagine why this...

As development continues to encroach upon valuable California soil, moments to capture the beauty of this home feel fleeting. That is why Chella Gonsalves, an artist based in Modesto, spends her days painting before the land and the valley as she knows it disappears....

On July 29, we celebrated the efforts of Bowles Farming Company in their commitment to protecting 328 acres of farmland on their property in Merced County, known as Lone Tree Ranch. During the Farmland Conservation Celebration and Farm Tour, CFT supporters, sponsors,...

Over the past two decades, California Farmland Trust has worked to protect over 17,350 acres of farmland throughout six counties. We are pleased to announce the recent closings of three San Joaquin County projects, forever protecting 318 acres of farmland. Farmers,...

Local philanthropists and long-time supporters of farmland protection, Jeani and John Ferrari, were honored by California Farmland Trust (CFT) as the 2021 Vance Kennedy Award recipients. The Vance Kennedy Award was established in 2014 in honor of Dr. Vance Kennedy, a...

“When you put houses on the land, it’s a one-time harvest…” We’re proud to introduce CFT landowner, Jean Okuye. Jean’s path to living a life dedicated to agriculture is unconventional compared to most. A Santa Barbara native, Jean married into...

From Immigrants of the Avocado Capital of Mexico, to the Agricultural-Rich State of california We’re proud to introduce CFT landowners, Juan Carlos and Rodrigo Espinoza. In 2018, Juan Carlos and Rodrigo decided to permanently protect 78 acres of prime farmland under...

California Farmland Trust (CFT) is proud to introduce well-respected industry professionals and community members, Bill Hoobler and Mike Machado, as new board members. Hoobler and Machado have been active supporters of CFT for several years and bring a wealth of...

California Farmland Trust is proud to announce the recent permanent protection of 253 acres of almonds in Merced County, owned by The Myers Irrevocable Flying M Ranch Trust. Established in the 1950s, Flying M Ranch began farming and ranching in the area of Merced,...

The Flying M Ranch Trust is approximately 253 acres of almonds located in East Merced County. This property was closed in early 2022 and is one of the many conservation easements protecting the working landscapes of Flying M Ranch Trust. Approximately 5,900 acres of...

Building Upon Resilient Roots Miller & Lux, Inc. Heir Works to Protect and Preserve Productive lands at bowles farming company It’s not every day you hear of a family farm that has lasted in California for six generations, reiterating that Bowles Farming Company...

Greenbelt ensures scenic views and productive, protected farmland The story of C&T Murphy farms Tom and Chester Murphy grew up in a red brick house along Highway 4, which today is a paved gateway to the Sierra Nevadas with a steady stream of traffic, particularly...

Taking a stand The story of fiorini Ranch In 1909, long before cities were formed, third generation farmer, Randy Fiorini’s grandparents Francis and Mable made the life-changing move from Southern California to our most fertile soil, the Central Valley, putting roots...

Investing in Innate Farmland The story of Machado family farms Nestled in the small town of Linden, the Machado Family first began farming in 1906 when Gregorio and Angelina Machado, immigrants of the Azores Islands, arrived in California. Initially started as a...

Thanks to the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) California Special Interest License Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program, California Farmland Trust (CFT) is proud to be awarded funding to distribute an additional 40 Orange You Glad We Have Farmland...

With the support of the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC), California Farmland Trust (CFT) is proud to be awarded funding for two agricultural conservation easement projects. The SALC Program is a collaboration between the California Strategic...