Farm Program Vision

It's an internal planning document that will guide the Authority's agriculture work over the next five years. It will identify where we can lead initiatives (like land protection), where we can support partner organizations and where we should step aside and let others lead. Think of it as our roadmap for making the biggest positive impact for agriculture.

No. This plan does not change zoning, property rights or allowed uses on private land. It's about how the Open Space Authority runs our own programs, manages land and works with partners.

Agriculture has always been part of the Open Space Authority's mission, but historically we've focused primarily on land protection. We've had success - protecting nearly 30,000 acres and recently securing $14.8 million for farmland conservation. Now we want to thoughtfully expand our work to support agricultural viability in additional ways, based on what the agricultural community tells us they need. 

The plan will include specific action items for the next one (1) to five (5) years. We'll implement these in partnership with the agricultural community and other organizations. The plan is designed to be flexible. Staff will revisit it regularly and update it as conditions change.

Members of the public can:

• Submit comments or questions to staff at any time.
• Attend and provide comments during public meetings.
• If your group is interested in learning more about this project, please contact our Agricultural Specialist.