Home. It’s more than just a place; it’s a living tapestry of traditions, a canvas of memories with our children and grandchildren, and a testament to the symbiotic relationship we share with the land. At Kings River Land Trust, ‘home’ encompasses the fields, the pastures, and the natural retreats where our lives and legacies unfold.
In the heart of the Central Valley, we’re custodians of a vital piece of California’s agricultural spirit. This region is a powerhouse in the national food supply chain, contributing a significant portion of the vegetables, fruits, and nuts that grace American tables. Yet, there is a quiet yet consistent trend that casts a shadow over this bounty. According to the CA Department of Food and Agriculture, we are losing 50,000 acres of farmland each year across the State! This equates to one square mile vanishing every five days. Of these, approximately 39,000 acres succumb to the sprawl of urban development, which is due to poor planning.
In 2022 the American Farmland Trust published their multi-year report: Farms Under Threat 2040. As a key local example, the report highlights Fresno County losing its farmland at astonishing speed. Fresno County, the nation’s leading agricultural county by gross value, is third in its rate of farmland loss behind two other southern California counties, and the 17th fastest in the nation behind counties surrounding metropolitan regions in Texas and other U.S. locations.
This loss is not just about acreage; it’s about our environment and air as well. According to the American Farmland Trust, an acre of agricultural land in California emits 58 to 70 times fewer greenhouse gases compared to its developed counterparts. This stark contrast reveals a troubling trade-off: each parcel paved over for development represents a permanent cessation of its natural benefits and cyclical yields. Unlike the one-time yield of development, our farms, ranches, and open spaces offer a perpetual harvest, season after season – not to mention the benefits to our environment and air quality.
Here, within the Kings River watershed, our purpose is clear. We provide landowners the support to keep their land as an essential part of our agricultural mosaic. These lands are the heartbeats of communities, providing not just food, but jobs, and a lifestyle deeply interwoven with nature’s rhythms.
Supporting Kings River Land Trust is more than a donation; it’s an investment in sustainable continuity. It’s a commitment to a model of living that respects the land’s ability to provide endlessly and balances it with the need for smart urban planning.
Despite the challenge, there’s hope in action. We’ve already protected 80 acres of this precious resource, with another 180 acres in progress. Every acre conserved is a victory for the region, for our collective heritage, and the promise of an abundant tomorrow.
One of our goals is to ensure that every farmer, rancher, and land owner in our service area knows about of ag conservation easements. We want our land stewards to have options and make informed decisions about what tools will work for their families and operations. We want to protect their stewardship. Your support not only celebrates what we have achieved but also fuels the ongoing journey to protect the vital, resource-rich lands of the Kings River watershed. Our collective efforts ensure that the home we cherish today will continue to thrive and sustain future generations.
Join us. Help us to conserve the lands that provide us with so much more than just their yield—they give us a place to call home, a place to return to, and a foundation for a future that honors the past.Contribute to Kings River Land Trust today, and let’s safeguard the home that is our heritage and our responsibility. Let’s ensure that the land remains productive and as nurturing as it has always been—for us, for our children, and for the future seasons yet to come.