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Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Secures $14.8M Grant to Protect 400+ Acres of Farmland from Sprawl

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SAN JOSÉ, Calif.—October 20, 2025—The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority), the 30-year-old regional public land conservation agency that protects open space and connects people to nature, has been awarded a $14.8 million grant from the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) program to support the purchase of an agricultural conservation easement on 412 acres of farmland within and adjacent to the City of Gilroy.

“We are honored to receive this major grant from California’s SALC program and excited to move forward with this vital project to protect agricultural land in Santa Clara County,” said Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the Authority. “Protecting local farmland is critical for the health and wellbeing of local communities. With this grant, we will be able to permanently protect productive farmland from development and prevent sprawl. Natural and working lands like these also strengthen our defenses against climate-related threats, such as wildfires and floods, while supporting food security and positively contributing to the local economy.”

This significant parcel is one of the largest remaining contiguous pieces of agricultural land being farmed in the unincorporated area of San Martin. With its proximity to the Gilroy city limits, the farmland forms an effective scenic and environmental buffer zone, providing a greenbelt between the growing cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy. The purchase of this agricultural easement also supports the 2016 voter-approved Measure H, which created an Urban Growth Boundary in the City of Gilroy.

The award to the Authority represents nearly 12% of the SALC Program grant funds for the entire state and was the largest awarded grant in this round. The total cost of the agricultural conservation easement is approximately $16.5 million, with an additional $1.8 million in funding coming from a Santa Clara County agricultural conservation fund established in partnership with the Authority.

This investment also advances the strategic goals of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Plan, created collaboratively by the Authority and Santa Clara County, to safeguard working lands, promote sustainable land use and maintain the agricultural heritage that contributes to the County’s environmental resilience and long-term economic health.

“The County of Santa Clara is very proud to support this important farmland protection project through the contribution of $1.8M in matching funds, as it aligns well with the goals of the County’s Office of Economic Development to preserve local agriculture,” said County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas. “We all win when we work together on shared goals, such as supporting a robust regional food system.”

This local investment also reflects a broader statewide commitment to protecting working farmlands and promoting sustainable development, which is being reinforced through programs like SALC. “SALC projects that support farmers, preserve habitats and protect our environment are a win-win-win, and we are so grateful for the partnership,” Erin Curtis, executive director of SGC, said in the SGC release. 

This funding comes from Round 10 of SALC, which, over the course of ten rounds, has awarded more than $400 million to support more than 200 projects to protect 240,000 acres. SALC utilizes funding through California’s Cap-and-Invest system to protect critical agricultural lands that are at risk of conversion to more energy intensive uses and is a component of the Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC). SALC fights climate change by protecting productive farmlands and encouraging compact transit-oriented communities.

For more information on the Authority’s approach to agricultural preservation and to view the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Plan visit: openspaceauthority.org/agriculture 

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About the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority conserves the natural environment, supports agriculture, and connects people to nature, by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. Since 1993, the Authority has protected almost 30,000 acres of open space, natural areas and working lands, watersheds, and wildlife habitat – providing ecologically friendly outdoor recreation and preserving the natural beauty and environmental health of the Santa Clara Valley. For more information, please visit openspaceauthority.org

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