California’s scenery would look much different today were it not
for a program that preserves land for agriculture.
California’s scenery would look much different today were it not for a program that preserves land for agriculture.
Without the state’s popular Williamson Act, more prime farmland would have been paved over for subdivisions and shopping centers. Without the program’s tax advantages, more farmers and ranchers would not have been able to pass their legacy onto their sons and daughters.
It took a while for Gov. Gray Davis to recognize just how important this 38-year-old program is to agriculture in general and the future of California. In January, the governor was willing to renounce the state’s support of the Williamson Act for $40 million in budget savings.
Cooler heads prevailed and the program was restored in Davis’ May revision of the state budget. The next step is to persuade legislators to keep the act intact. Otherwise the burden of providing tax breaks would fall on the 54 participating counties. And with counties scrambling for money, it’s not likely they could afford to take on the added financial burden.
Under the program, owners can have their property assessed at a lower value if they agree to use their land for farming or open space for at least 10 years. The relief can be substantial, with farmers saving between 20 percent and 75 percent on their tax bill. Counties get back the difference in property tax revenue through payments by the state.
A California Farm Bureau survey shows about one in three landowners would not be farming or ranching without the Williamson Act advantages.
Urban sprawl threatens California’s farmland now just as much as it did in 1965 when the Williamson Act was passed. Our preference is for ag land over asphalt. We hope our lawmakers agree.
~ Redding Record Searchlight
