Is there any hope for agriculture in California's rapid growth areas?

Abstract

The experience of San Diego County, California, indicates that none of the commonly used legislative methods of preserving valuable agricultural land (large lot zoning, differential taxation, purchase or transfer of development rights, creation of exclusive agricultural districts) may be successful in very rapidly urbanizing metropolitan areas. Unless a local municipality can purchase the land outright, the profits to be made from selling greatly appreciated suburban land for development will tempt even the most dedicated farmer to sell and seek out less vulnerable land elsewhere. Steps such as large lot zoning need to be taken early to keep large blocks of agricultural land intact, the retention of these lands must be made part of a mandatory rather than a voluntary program in order to be successful, and the local jurisdictions must be sure that adequate economic incentives are available for those persons who do wish to continue farming the land.