§ 10230.2. — 10230.2. (Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 502, Sec. 11.)

(a)
The California Farmland Conservancy Program is hereby established in the department.
(b)
The program may offer financial assistance, including grants or contracts, for projects and activities on agricultural lands that support agricultural conservation and sustainable land management, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1)
Acquisition of agricultural conservation easements or fee title to protect the land’s agricultural use or capacity that meets the following requirements:
(A)
The primary purpose for which the easement or fee title is being sought is consistent with continuing agricultural use of the property.
(B)
The easement or fee title does not, and will not, substantially prevent agricultural uses on the property.
(C)
Any nonagricultural qualities that will be protected by the easement or fee title, if applicable, are inherent to the property.
(2)
Improvements to land protected by a conservation easement, deed restriction, or similar long-term agreement as determined by the director.
(3)
Plans to protect and conserve agricultural lands and plans to protect,
conserve, restore, or enhance resources or values located on, or adjacent to, agricultural lands or that were historically present on agricultural lands. These may include, but are not limited to, either of the following:
(A)
An agricultural land component or element of a general plan developed pursuant to Section 65565 of the Government Code.
(B)
Land conservation strategies and plans to identify and develop potential projects.
(4)
Technical assistance to develop projects, prepare applications, and implement projects.
(5)
Administrative costs incurred by the department to administer the program.
(6)
Any other purposes approved by the Legislature in a funding appropriation for the program.

Legislative History

Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 502, Sec. 11. (AB 2964) Effective January 1, 2023.