Kovacs, Kent.

from ARE Update Vol. 11, No. 5, May/June, 2008

View Article PDF: Farmland Conversion in California: Evidence from the Williamson Act Program

Abstract

The recent boom in the housing market created significant pressure for farmland conversion throughout California. The highest expected net loss of farmland from the Williamson Act program, California's premier agricultural land protection program, was in 2007. In spite of the widespread pressure, conversion in most regions of California is consistent with historic levels of conversion from the last housing boom. The exception is the San Joaquin Valley, where unprecedented farmland conversion is likely in the next decade.

Keywords

Williamson Act, loss of farmland, farmland conversion, housing development

Citation

Kovacs, Kent. 2008. "Farmland Conversion in California: Evidence from the Williamson Act Program." ARE Update 11(5): 5-8. University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.
https://giannini.ucop.edu/filer/file/1453327750/16781/