To no one’s surprise, the annual county crop report showed that
agriculture is on the decline in Santa Clara County.
To no one’s surprise, the annual county crop report showed that agriculture is on the decline in Santa Clara County. Farm production dropped by 6 percent from 2002 to 2003, continuing a slide that’s seen production drop by 20 percent since 2000. If the reports were adjusted for inflation – they’re not – the decrease in agriculture production would be even larger.
This is a case where actions speak louder than words. Anyone who values the view of a vineyard, of cows contentedly grazing in a field, of row upon row of peppers filling acres of countryside, or of flowers bursting into bloom in our valley has two ways to help preserve those sights.
The first is to support policy decisions that help, not hinder, agriculture. That means, for example, copying the successful effort to keep the Williamson Act in place when it was targeted during the state budget crisis. State legislators, hungry for revenue, proposed ending the property tax benefit for landowners who sign contracts to keep their land in agriculture for at least 10 years. Groups representing broad and diverse interests banded together to oppose the change and saved the Williamson Act.
Whenever a policy decision – zoning, taxes, rate increases – is being considered, citizens, government employees and politicians ought to evaluate its impact on agriculture. Those that place an undue burden on farmers ought to be rejected more often than they are approved. We aren’t calling for a farming litmus test; rather, we believe that any policy proposal’s impact on agriculture ought to be considered as part of the decision-making process.
When every agency that raises fees – from workman’s compensation to fuel taxes to water rates – tries to justify the increases with the “it’s just a few dollars” excuse, it doesn’t take long for the increases to add up to real money for our struggling agriculture industry. When planners make zoning and greenbelt decisions that impact whether farmers can sell their principal asset – their land – and for how much, they’re impacting retirements and inheritances.
To help policy makers understand the impact they have on agriculture, we’d urge the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau to host an Ag Day for local politicians. Take water board directors, county supervisors, assembly members and yes, even the governor, on a tour of a few farms in South Santa Clara County. Ask some articulate farmers to explain the challenges they’re facing and explain how politicians can help.
The second way to help South Valley agriculture is to buy locally produced food.
We’re incredibly fortunate to live in such a rich agriculture region. You can buy an array of fruits and vegetables from local farmers. They’re available at farm stands and farmers’ markets all over South Valley. In addition, eggs, milk, beef and chicken are also available from local growers with just a little more effort.
If you enjoy our South Valley vistas with row crops and farm animals, then urge your elected officials to help preserve them with sound policy decisions, and put your money where your vistas are and buy locally grown food. Otherwise, our vistas are going to become concrete jungles instead of verdant farms.
