Local farmland is disappearing fast. Since the 1980s, San Mateo County has lost 46% of its farmland. To help reverse this trend, POST launched the Farmland Futures Initiative (FFI) in 2016, a campaign to raise $25 million for farmland protection ($24M) and infrastructure improvements ($1M).
Today, we’re proud to share that we’ve successfully achieved this goal. Thanks to our community of supporters and partners, POST has permanently protected local farmland and invested in the infrastructure needed to keep agriculture thriving along the San Mateo County coast.
But our work isn’t finished. We continue to protect agricultural land and work with farmers to ensure their operations are sustainable.
FFI Focus Area
Our Commitment to Farmers and Land
The Farmland Futures Initiative deepened our understanding of how healthy farms support healthy ecosystems.
Working with partners like the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD) and Kitchen Table Advisors, POST has advanced sustainable agricultural practices that protect both farmland and local habitats.
Our commitment has included projects that:
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Increase water storage to reduce dependence on creeks during dry seasons
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Implement wildlife-friendly agricultural practices to preserve biodiversity
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Introduce sustainable grazing to enhance grassland health and reduce wildfire risks
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Rebuild and stabilize barns and other critical infrastructure to provide safe, dry shelter for livestock and equipment
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Support clean, safe and affordable farmworker housing, developed in partnership with San Mateo County, to address longstanding housing inequities on the coast
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Restore Butano Creek’s floodplain on POST-protected farmland in collaboration with RCD
We also recognize that access and equity are vital to farmland protection. POST continues to make farmland more affordable to own or lease, while providing farmers with the resources they need to support their workers and their livelihoods.
To make a gift to support our Farmland program, email Tonya Treble at [email protected].