AFT Publishes New Online Guide for California Growers

AFT Publishes On-Line Guide to Environmental Practices forCalifornia Fruit, Vegetable and Nut Growers

CONTACT:

Ed Thompson: 202-309-1163 , ethompson@farmland.org
Jennifer Morrill: 301-378-1255 , jmorrill@farmland.org

Davis, California, March 15, 2010 — American Farmland Trust, a nonprofit agricultural conservation organization, has just published a guide to farming practices that California growers of fruit, vegetables and nuts can use to improve the environment. The interactive on-line guide (available at www.farmland.org/california), matches the state’s leading “specialty” crops with 61 specific beneficial management practices (BMPs) that can yield environmental benefits such as reducing air and water pollution, conserving water and energy and improving wildlife habitat.

California farmers already make a significant effort to protect the environment. In fact, the state’s producers must comply with more environmental regulations than any other farmers in the world. “This guide should help encourage more widespread use of beneficial management practices,” said Ed Burton, California State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “AFT has done a real service by collecting this much information in one easy-to-use document.” NRCS is the source of many of the beneficial management practices highlighted in the new guide. AFT’s research was funded by a generous grant from the Adams Legacy Foundation.

For more information about the Guide, please contact:

Steven Shaffer
AFT Environmental Consultant
530-758-6943
Steven.shaffer@sbcglobal.net

Edward Thompson, Jr.
AFT California Director
202-309-1162
ethompson@farmland.org

Visit AFT’s Web site for more information about farmland preservation and agricultural stewardship in California www.farmland.org/california .

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American Farmland Trust is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms. Since its founding in 1980 by a group of farmers and citizens concerned about the rapid loss of farmland to development, AFT has helped save millions of acres of farmland from development and led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more.

AFT’s national office is located in Washington, DC. Phone: 202-331-7300. For more information, visit www.farmland.org.