Presentation to the State Board of Food & Agriculture

High Speed Rail

and the Potential for Agricultural Land Conversion

in the San Joaquin Valley

Edward Thompson, Jr. California Director

American Farmland Trust

People Per Urbanized AcreSource: FMMP, Census

02

46

810

1214

1618

Southern California Bay Area San Joaquin Valley

In 2000 1990-2000 Growth

Developed Land in Stanislaus, Merced, Madera & Fresno Counties

2004

80,543

231,986

Ranchettes Urban

81% of new development in the 1990s was on high quality farmland – highest in the Valley

“While all agricultural land in the County cannot be preserved, it is possible to protect our most productive agricultural areas through a combination of agricultural zoning and policies that clearly direct growth to less productive areas.”

2.5 people per acre for new development in the 1990s – lowest in the Valley

26% of all developed land is on ranchettes – most in the Valley

“The County shall promote the efficient use of land and natural resources.”

“The plan promotes compact growth by directing most new urban development to incorporated cities and existing urban communities that already have the infrastructure to accommodate such growth.”

If we marry the excitement of high-speed rail and the responsibility of smarter growth – and only if we do so – we will avoid a land use ‘train wreck’ and build a better California where our freeways are less congested, our skies are less crowded, our environment is cleaner, our housing is more affordable and our agriculture can still be counted on to feed America and the world.

A High Speed Rail Compact with Local Governments