Sonoma County Buy-Protect-Sell Farmland Pilot

Ag + Open Space buys small to midsize agricultural property, protects it with a conservation easement, and resells it at a more affordable price to a qualified farmer or rancher. Applicants first join a pool of potential buyers; when a property is identified, pool members are invited to submit proposals reviewed by a buyer assessment panel. Priority goes to limited-resource farmers, first-time landowners and communities that have faced discrimination or exclusion.

• Farmers and ranchers seeking their own small to midsize agricultural property in Sonoma County

• Considered: level of need, whether a first-time landowner

• Priority to proposals with community benefits (fresh food access, outreach/education, soil health or native habitat)

Land sold with a conservation easement, an agricultural conservation covenant (continued agricultural use), an offer of dedication of agricultural lease, and an affordability covenant.

Published amounts: No dollar amounts; land is made more affordable by placing a conservation easement before resale, with an affordability covenant restricting future price increases.

Step 1: review the Program Overview; Step 2: submit the Stage 1 Application to join the potential buyer pool (rolling). Later, pool members submit proposals for a specific property.

Deadline text on the page: Applicants may submit their application to join the potential buyer pool at any time, and review will occur on a rolling basis.