Summer 20
Flying M Ranch Commits to Keeping the Land Untouchable PAGE 4
Past board president shares perspective
Board of director updates PAGE 3
save the date race to slow the pace September 25, 2022
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What Does "In Perpetuity" Mean For California Farmland Trust? By Jon Harvey, Past Board President
OUR MISSION Help Farmers Protect the Best Farmland in the World CURRENTLY SERVING Sacramento, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, and Fresno counties Board Officers: Patrick Johnston, Brentwood | President Sam Zanutto, Sebastopol | Vice President Theresa Kiehn, Modesto | Secretary Ken Oneto, Elk Grove | Treasurer Jon Harvey, Pleasanton | Past President Directors: Ron Dolinsek, Rocklin Bill Hoobler, Patterson Denny Jackman, Modesto Ryan Jacobsen, Fresno Jim Jorgensen, Rocklin Mike Machado, Linden Maxwell Norton, Merced Barbara Smith, Courtland Trustee Council: Jennifer Beretta Ed Nishio Emily Rooney Ann Veneman Paul Wenger Becca Whitman Staff: Lauren Fox | Program Associate Charlotte Mitchell | Executive Director Chelsea Slaton | Conservation Director Adriana Toste | Communications Associate Contributors: Lauren Fox Charlotte Mitchell Katie Otto Chelsea Slaton Adriana Toste
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Land trusts around the country have the obligation to remain viable forever. Is this possible? What does forever or “in perpetuity” mean for an organization? When we enter into an agricultural conservation easement agreement with a funder and a landowner, this carries with it a responsibility to ensure that the terms are carried out and defended when necessary for as long as possible. The hypotheticals that might make it impossible are out there, but seldom discussed. At California Farmland Trust (CFT), we will continue to imagine and make plans to ensure the viability of the organization is able to perform and adapt into the foreseeable future. In light of this, as I retire as board president, the challenges I worry about are future capital and operational funding, organizational compliance and capacity, and market changes.
maintaining a healthy Board of Directors to oversee and interact with the organization in ways that provide for these assurances. This takes leadership and succession planning. This is what we do as Directors, and I am optimistic the leadership we have in place will ensure this California Farmland for future years.
M a r k e t c h a n g e s At encompass a range of Trust, we will continue Lastly, we are funded external drivers such as by the services we to imagine and make competing initiatives in provide, donations our space, transitions plans to ensure from individuals, due to a changing mitigation settlements, the viability of the local climate, price a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n o f organization is able to c o r p o r a t i o n s a n d foundations, and water, and so on. We California state perform and adapt into have time on our side as these things come the foreseeable future. conservation programs. Competition for slowly, but we must foundation grants Jon Harvey use this time to adapt remain high and and get ahead of these donations from individuals appear solid changes to remain viable. We do not need and rising. We collect funds during to grow. Growth is a choice. However, transactions for periodic monitoring and there is some minimum size, location, and legal defense of easements. The unknowns proximity requirements of protected areas lie in the large funding programs from the to provide for an adequate local farm state which we have a role in influencing, economy with services and infrastructure. but are not able to control or predict with The market will drive this, and we should the political winds. follow. Next, the board’s job is to ensure the organization complies with its legal obligations and industry standards. The underlying challenge here is to recruit, retain, and support the professional staff who carry out this work. This is also true for
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CFT is in a strong position financially and has a growing reputation with landowners, farmers, and funders. Looking ahead, our challenge lies in maintaining and improving what we do consistently and for a very long time.
Board of Director Updates CALIFORNIA FARMLAND TRUST (CFT) APPOINTS NEW OFFICERS
CFT is proud to share our newly elected 2022-2024 Board of Directors officer team. “It is with great pleasure that we present this team of officers that will lead our Board of Directors over the next two years,” said Charlotte Mitchell, executive director at CFT. “This team is motivated and skilled, and each officer brings a plethora of talent and diverse experience that will help drive our organization to further success.”
Sam Zanutto, Vice President
Patrick Johnston, President Patrick Johnston lives in Brentwood, where his family has farmed since 1923. Patrick is currently a partner at Dwelley Family Far ms, an organic and conventional fruit and vegetable operation. Patrick was a board member of the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust (BALT) since 2009, until its merger with Central Valley Farmland Trust (CVFT), to form CFT, and has served on our board since that time.
Sam Zanutto of Sebastopol grew up on a peach and almond farm in Merced County. Now, Sam works as the associate general counsel at American Ag Credit. He joined the Farm Credit system as an attorney after 10 years as an agricultural lender and several years in private practice. Sam became a member of the CFT board in 2019. As Vice President, Sam will also serve as the chair of the Governance Committee.
Theresa Kiehn, Secretary
Ken Oneto, Treasurer
Theresa Kiehn currently resides in Stanislaus County and serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of AgSafe, an organization with a mission to provide health and safety education to the agricultural community. Prior to AgSafe, Theresa worked with the Great Valley Center, where she supported the formation of CVFT. Theresa joined the CFT board in 2020.
Ken Oneto is an Elk Grove native, where he grows cherries, walnuts, dry beans, tomatoes, and wine grapes on his family farm, KLM Ranches. Ken was a founding member of the Sacramento Valley Agricultural Land Conservancy, which was one of the organizations that merged to form CVFT, and has been involved with our organization since its inception.
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS, BILL HOOBLER AND MIKE MACHADO
We’d like to welcome our newest board members, Bill Hoobler and Mike Machado, to the California Farmland Trust (CFT) Board of Directors. Bill and Mike both offer a talented skill set and valuable expertise to the board, and we are thrilled to have such accomplished individuals join our organization. Bill and Mike join the existing 11 members of CFT’s Board of Directors and will both serve on the Budget, Finance, and Risk Management committee. Bill Hoobler was born and raised in Chico and attended CSU Chico, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business. Following graduation, Bill began working in the Farm Credit system and moved to Patterson with his wife, Marilyn, where he currently resides. Bill retired in 2016 and opened a crop insurance agency, which he currently owns and manages. Bill has served as a CFT committee member since 2018.
Mike Machado lives in Linden with his wife Diana, where his family has been farming since 1906. Mike has a degree from Stanford University and a master's degree in agricultural economics from UC Davis. After serving in Vietnam, Mike returned to the family farm and later served in the California State Legislature from 19942008, where he focused on water, banking, insurance and budget accountability. Mike holds three easements with CFT, protecting over 400 acres of farmland.
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Keeping the Land
Untouchable Myers Follow Their Grandfather's Stewardship Lead
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eep in the hills of eastern Merced County, you’ll find miles of farmland and grasslands nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains, cattle grazing among the lush meadows, and rich agricultural soils cultivated with abundant commodities; some say the scenery is straight out of a storybook. For over 50 years, more than 24 square miles of this very land has been farmed and cared for by the Myers family. The family proudly calls it their “little slice of heaven,” and now 253 acres of this paradise will forever remain untouchable, thanks to an agricultural conservation easement (ACE) that protects the land forever. The Flying M Ranch was established in 1959, when John and Lucia Myers began purchasing land in Merced County, said Wes Myers, the couple’s grandson and Flying M Ranch co-trustee. As a tribute to John’s biggest passions, aviation and cattle ranching, the couple labeled the property Flying M Ranch and started running a cattle operation and growing various crops, including a small citrus grove. “Originally, this was all a cattle ranch with irrigated pasture, but my grandmother loved citrus trees and the smell of citrus,
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so my grandfather planted citrus trees, hence the name "Citrus Property," Myers explained looking out over the newly protected land.
nutrient-rich, and much of the landscape remains as a source of habor and habitat, promoting environmentally sound farming and ranching practices.
John’s passion for aviation was effortlessly This discovery was no coincidence, being passed onto his son and grandsons, but that conservation was one of the hallmarks farming and ranching did not come so their grandfather valued most. Since the naturally. Being two generations removed early 1980s, approximately 5,900 acres from the farm, the new generation of of grazing land on their ranch has been Myers had little familiarity to agriculture preserved through other conservation and grew up with limited organizations, due I love the idea of involvement besides to the efforts of their t h e t y p i c a l ro u g h a n d looking out with it grandfather. tumble of riding horses being pristine and “My grandfather really and dirt bikes throughout the ranch. However, that having open space. believed in preserving all changed when they the land,” Myers said. - Wes Myers unexpectedly inherited the “He put conservation property. easements on the grazing land for wetlands, endangered species, and “It was a surprise inheritance,” Myers grassland conservation.” explained. “My grandfather passed away in 2008, and by the time everything was The same idea of keeping the land cleared, we took it over in 2011. We’ve “untouchable” spoke volumes to the been slowly building it up, changing and Myers too - so much so that they felt reconfiguring since.” compelled to take a stronger initiative towards stewarding the health of their LEARNING THE LAY OF THE LAND working landscapes. Once they assumed ownership, the Myers discovered much of the land on the ranch still remarkably resembles how it did centuries ago. The farmland is still
In 2015, the remaining trees of their grandmother’s prized citrus grove were re m o v e d . To p u r s u e f a r m i n g m o re v i g o ro u s l y i n p a r t w i t h t h e i r c a t t l e
operation, the Myers replanted the 253 acres with Nonpareil, Wood Colony, and Aldrich almond trees, which are leased, farmed, harvested, and processed by Woolf Farming & Processing.
could easily happen to the Citrus Property, so the hope is that adding this parcel to the block of protected land in the area will discourage community and city expansion and urbanization into prime farmland.
“If you have water in California, you should have more intensive agriculture,” Myers said. “We chose almonds because there’s a competitive advantage for them right now.”
“It's nice working with CFT because this is my first introduction to conservation on the farming side,” Myers said. “We’ve been involved in the ranching business a little longer, but we’re newer farmers. Hopefully land trusts like CFT will start being recognized as having positive conservation effects to development.”
This parcel was not already under a conservation easement, so they decided to protect the property with California Farmland Trust (CFT), which closed just after the new year. Funds for this project were provided through the Agricultural Land Mitigation Program (ALMP), which is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC) on behalf of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. This property adds to CFT’s extensive portfolio in Merced County, where 11,669 acres have been protected. While there is a growing greenbelt forming directly east of Merced, less than one mile west of the Citrus Property has an antiquated subdivision, with plans and the potential to be subdivided and developed into smaller, ranchette-style parcels. Once development like that takes place, it
Most of the 253 acres are comprised of almonds, however uniquely, about five acres are specifically dedicated to an irrigated pollinator habitat that provides extended bloom, shelter from pesticides, and little to no tillage to protect ground nesting bees. The Myers are also fortunate to have a partner like Woolf Farming & Processing, that is constantly working towards being a more resourceful and bio-dynamic farming operation. Through effective tracking and technologies, they have drastically reduced the amount of tractor time needed to farm, resulting in higher soil quality and a carbon offset of nearly 300,000 tons annually, equivalent to taking 53,000 cars off the road.
Chelsea Slaton, conservation director at CFT who oversaw much of the transaction added, “The growth pressure f ro m t h e C i t y o f M e rc e d a n d e v e n surrounding communities like Planada, in combination with the Myers desire to be conservationists, are all contributing factors that make this farm a quality project. The Myers are also in the process of putting another 474 acres under an ACE, which is a true testament to their commitment to conservation.” "ONCE IT'S SPLIT UP, IT DOESN'T GO BACK TOGETHER..." The Myers unwavering commitment to conservation is a clear indication of their appreciation for open space and belief in the importance of valuing our natural resources. “I love the idea of looking out with it being pristine and having open space,” Myers noted. Yet, conservation is not the only reason the Myers decided to pursue an ACE. They also realize that in order to ensure t h e r a n c h ’s l o n g - t e r m v i a b i l i t y, r i s k management needs to be a priority. Thus, protecting the property in perpetuity not only sustains it for future generations, but has also provided the Myers family with
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cash flow from the transaction process, giving them the revenue stream to invest in other business ventures and back into the land. “The plan is to entirely have our whole property maintained under one ownership, contiguous, and an operational property that can sustain itself economically, but also have enough exposure to other asset classes,” Myers said. For the Myers family, the idea of their ranch helping create a buffer to offset development in the grasslands of Merced County is the ultimate goal because, “once it’s split up, it doesn’t go back together.” When asked what the future of Flying M Ranch looks like, Myers proudly said, “It’s farming. It’s conservation. It’s both farming and conservation.”
| Flying M Ranch co-trustee, Wes Myers, inherited the ranch from his grandfather in 2011.
| Approximately five acres of the newly-protected property is reserved for a pollinator habitat.
Sponsor Spotlight: Raley's
When Tom Raley opened his first store in 1935, he had grand ambitions of transforming the grocery business, while staying rooted in his family’s core principles of quality offerings, exceptional service, and doing right by their team members, communities, and the planet. Since that time, the Raley’s Operating Company has grown to 129 store locations in Northern California and Nevada under five banners: Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Food Source, and Market 5-ONE-5. With 86 years of providing the very best, locally sourced, and affordable products to consumers, Raley’s has proved to be the ultimate industry leader. Their thoughtful actions and generous donations benefit the greater good, and they pride themselves on making a positive difference by investing in causes and organizations whose mission align with Raley’s, like California Farmland Trust (CFT).
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| Students from Sacramento County partcipated in the Orange You Glad We Have Farmland activity Raley’s has been a valuable CFT sponsor since 2016, specifically contributing to our educational efforts. Their support has allowed us to demonstrate our Orange You Glad We Have Farmland activity to over 5,900 students so far in 2022. We are proud to work with such a dynamic company like Raley’s, and we thank them for being a loyal sponsor of CFT!
B I G D AY O F G I V I N G THANK YOU!
On behalf of California Farmland Trust (CFT), we want to thank everyone who contributed during this year's Big Day of Giving. Whether you donated, shared our mission among your networks, or echoed our emails and social media posts, your support helped CFT raise $27,594 - the BEST BDOG to date! We also want to thank our friends, John and Jeani Ferrari, who provided match funding to further our efforts in protecting Fiorini Ranch. Because of your support, the project is now fully funded, and we can move forward with its permanent protection. We cannot continue the work we do without your contributions and are extremely appreciative of your support.
WELCOME, LAUREN!
We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Fox as program associate. As the program associate, Lauren will work in collaboration with the conservation director to assist in facilitating transactions, help monitor project stewardship, and provide administrative support throughout the whole organization. Lauren joins us as a 2021 University of Nevada, Reno graduate, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in community health sciences. Growing up in Elk Grove, Lauren is no stranger to the Central Valley and California’s agricultural economy. Her family’s roots stem back to farming, which helped Lauren develop an appreciation for the land and the natural resources it provides. Seeing the push for development in her hometown, Lauren is eager to contribute to farmland protection in California, as it influences our health and sustainability. Welcome, Lauren!
S U P P O RT C A L I F O R N I A FARMLAND TRUST WITH AMAZON SMILE!
W h e t h e r y o u ' re p re p a r i n g for back-to-school shopping, stocking up on necessities, or splurging on some wishlist items, you can support CFT while doing so, with Amazon Smile! Simply shop at amazonsmile.com, select "California Farmland Trust" as your charity of choice, and start shopping!
The second annual Race to Slow the Pace 5k/10k is just about TWO months away! Set for September 25, 2022 at Bokisch Vineyards, runners will experience an epic journey through the Bokisch vines and eventually cross the finish line, where they will be greeted with wine, paella, and a one-of-a-kind ambiance. Not a runner? Not a problem! We’ve got a Couch to 5k/10k training plan to help you get in shape for the race. Or, you can still enjoy the day with us and celebrate others as they cross the finish line with a Lunch Only or Volunteer registration. If you’re not able to join us in Lodi, participate wherever you are with a Virtual registration. All your support goes towards slowing the pace of development and protecting more farmland in California! Thank you to the sponsors who have already committed to this year’s race: Dwelley Family Farms, Burroughs Family Farms, Farm Credit, Pacific Coast Producers, Harrah’s Northern California, Grow West, Movement for Life Physical Therapy, CCOF, Zenith Agribusiness Solutions, Mujeres Poderosas, Les Schwab, Tiger Lines LLC, and Kludt Oil. You can get your name and logo out there too with a Race to Slow the Pace sponsorship. Find more information on sponsorship and registration at cafarmtrust.org/racetoslowthepace.
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Post Office Box 1960 Elk Grove, California 95759
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #182 ELK GROVE, CA
916-687-3178 phone 916-685-1041 fax www.cafarmtrust.org
Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors
Thank you to our 2022 sponsors. Many of our sponsors have provided CFT with ongoing support for years. We appreciate their support and investment in the mission of California Farmland Trust.
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