Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Plan
Santa Clara County and Santa Clara County Open Space District
BAE was part of the consultant team that assisted Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Open Space District in the preparation of a plan for the protection and enhancement of agricultural lands within the dynamic Silicon Valley region.
The plan “represents an innovative approach to agricultural preservation that will reduce future conversion of local farmland and the associated increase in greenhouse gas emissions while growing a vibrant local food economy that contributes to our quality of life.” Leveraging prior work that BAE completed in Santa Clara County surrounding agricultural land conservation and food system development, BAE provided input regarding land economics and agricultural economic development. The County and Open Space District were awarded the 2018 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in the category of Ecosystem & Land Use Stewardship for the plan.