Board of Supervisors approves action plan to strengthen Sonoma County agriculture

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a coordinated action plan on Tuesday to support the local agricultural industry amid mounting economic and environmental pressures, formally declaring agriculture and working lands critical infrastructure essential to the county’s economy, environment and food security.

The Board of Supervisors, which also serves as the Board of Directors of Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, approved a joint resolution recognizing growing challenges facing agriculture. The resolution directs County departments and partner agencies to coordinate efforts to support farmers, preserve working lands and strengthen the long-term viability of agriculture in Sonoma County.

Agriculture is a major economic driver and source of regional identity in Sonoma County, representing 18% of the County’s total economy. The county’s agricultural sector supports nearly 34,000 jobs, 1,930 businesses and more than $10 billion in annual economic activity through production, processing, distribution, tourism and related industries.

The value of Sonoma County agricultural products declined 9.3% in 2024 to $857.6 million, according to the most recent Sonoma County Crop Report. Since 2018, the County has lost 14 dairies and over 2,700 acres of vineyard, a marked contraction for the two highest grossing agricultural industries in the County.

The agricultural industry also faces labor shortages, rising operational costs, climate pressures and market instability. The combined pressures threaten the sustainability of working lands, local food production, natural resources and the broader agricultural economy.

“Agriculture is essential to Sonoma County’s economy, environment and identity,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “The workers, farmers and ranchers who feed our communities and care for our land are facing real challenges right now. This action reflects the County’s commitment to supporting the people behind our agricultural economy and helping agriculture remain viable for future generations.”

The workplan was developed following a workshop in April that included input from farmers, ranchers, industry organizations, public agencies and local residents. It includes short-term actions over the next year as well as longer-term policy changes tied to the County’s General Plan update.

The action plan is intended to support the full range of Sonoma County agriculture including, but not limited to, vineyards, dairies, farms and livestock operations. The work will be led by the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures, Permit Sonoma, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, University of California Cooperative Extension and other County departments.

Among other things, the workplan will:

• Update policies related to agritourism, events, and other visitor-serving farm uses.
• Support farmers seeking greater flexibility to rotate crops, fallow land and adapt agricultural operations.
• Review agricultural land-use policies through the General Plan Sonoma update process, including potential changes to by-right agricultural uses and permitting thresholds.
• Strengthen food security initiatives and agricultural assistance programs, including access to affordable agricultural land.

“Counties are on the front lines of the economic and climate challenges impacting agriculture, and we need coordinated action to help this industry adapt and succeed,” said Supervisor James Gore, who served on a Board ad hoc committee that explored ways to support local agriculture. “This workplan creates a framework for long-term collaboration between farmers, public agencies and the community so we can move practical solutions forward together.”

Tuesday’s action by the Board of Supervisors affirms that agriculture and working lands are essential infrastructure in Sonoma County. Farms, ranches and working lands provide important public benefits through wildfire resilience, watershed protection, habitat stewardship and preservation of Sonoma County’s rural landscapes. Maintaining a resilient agricultural sector also supports broader County goals related to economic sustainability, climate adaptation, food security and rural community vitality.

“Agriculture is more than an industry in Sonoma County, it’s part of who we are. Over the past year, I have met with farmers, ranchers, and dairies who have shared the real challenges they’re facing, from rising costs to increasing uncertainty,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who served on the Board ad hoc committee. “The people who work this land are doing everything they can to adapt, and they deserve County partners who are willing to work alongside them. Today’s action is a commitment to that partnership.”

View the County’s workplan to support agriculture on the Board of Supervisors agenda item for Tuesday’s meeting.

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Media Contacts:
Sonoma County Executive’s Office
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonomacounty.gov
(707) 565-3040

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space
Lauren Alpert, Community Relations Specialist
lauren.alpert@sonomacounty.gov