title
Receive a presentation on the status of the Solano County Strategic Initiative for Agriculture from the Agricultural Commissioner, funded by a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) planning grant
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Agricultural Commissioner recommends the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation on the status of the Solano County Strategic Initiative for Agriculture, funded by a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) planning grant.
SUMMARY/ DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Conservation administers the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program on behalf of the California Strategic Growth Council. The SALC program addresses climate change by conserving California farmlands and encouraging compact, transit-oriented communities.
In April 2023, the Board of Supervisors identified agricultural preservation and economic development as two of their leading priorities. To assist in informing and acting on these priorities the Board authorized staff to apply for a $500,000 SALC planning grant to develop a County Strategic Initiative for Agriculture including:
• An agricultural economic development plan
• Assessment of agricultural infrastructure needs and recommended actions
• Assessment of agricultural land use planning policies and recommended actions
The grant application specified plans to form a coalition of local partners to help in developing the Strategic Initiative coordinated by a Steering Committee comprised of the Board of Supervisors’ Ag Visioning Committee, Agricultural Commissioner, Resource Management Director, LAFCO Director and County Administrative Office staff.
In December of 2023, the California Strategic Growth Council approved the County’s grant application and in April of 2024, the Department of Conservation executed the grant agreement with the County. In June of 2024, the County entered into contract with Ag Innovations to provide project outreach and meeting facilitation services and in September of 2024, the County entered into contract with Valley Vision to assist the Agricultural Commissioner and Steering Committee in developing the economic, infrastructure and land use planning components of the project.
The Agricultural Commissioner, with guidance of the project Steering Committee, additionally formed two advisory committees to inform and fulfill the Strategic Initiative’s objectives. The Food and Agriculture Committee is comprised of twenty local farmers, ranchers and agricultural processors in addition to participation from Solano Farm Bureau, the Suisun Vintners and Growers Association and the Pleasants Valley Agricultural Association. The Land Use and Infrastructure Committee includes twenty-five representatives from all cities within the county, Solano Irrigation District, Solano County Water Agency, LAFCO, Solano Transportation Authority, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Solano Land Trust and County staff from Resource Management, Department of Information Technology and Health and Social Services.
To date, the project consultant team and Agricultural Commissioner organized and hosted a public kick-off meeting to introduce the project to the broader Solano community, facilitated four Steering Committee meetings, three Food and Agriculture Committee meetings, two meetings of the Land Use and Infrastructure Committee and one joint meeting of the Food and Agriculture and Land Use and Infrastructure committees. Additionally, the Agricultural Commissioner and consultant team have held multiple outreach meetings with individual committee members, local agricultural associations and businesses and other stakeholders to gather input and insight into issues and needs. These processes are ongoing and will continue into 2026.
In September 2025, the consultant team presented a draft land use policy assessment and action plan outlining findings and recommendations aimed at promoting sustainable community growth while safeguarding agricultural lands and enhancing opportunities for agricultural economic development. The Agricultural Commissioner and consultant team presented the draft assessment and action plan to the Steering Committee in September and Food and Agriculture and Land Use and Infrastructure committees in October. Based upon feedback from the committees, the Agricultural Commissioner and consultant team, the consultants are currently further refining the draft assessment and action plan as well as continuing compiling preliminary infrastructure and economic development findings and recommendations.
The SALC grant culminates in delivery of the final Strategic Initiative for Agriculture report and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in December 2026 with the project term concluding in April of 2027.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget. This project is funded by a Department of Conservation SALC planning grant totaling $500,000.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to accept this presentation. This is not recommended because this effort is underway and at a strategic point where receiving Board feedback would be beneficial to staff, and this effort supports the Board’s priorities in protecting and promoting the long-term viability and success of local farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Agricultural Commissioner and Steering Committee are actively working on the Strategic Initiative for Agriculture with the County Administrator’s Office, Department of Resource Management, Department of Information Technology, U.C. Cooperative Extension Capitol Corridor, Solano County Farm Bureau, Solano Resource Conservation District, Dixon Resource Conservation District, Suisun Resource Conservation District, Suisun Vintners and Growers Association, Pleasants Valley Agricultural Association, Solano Land Trust, Solano Local Food System Alliance, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Solano Irrigation District, Solano County Water Agency and many local farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses and all cities within the county.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION