California's Lost Farmland: Yawn Or Crisis?

A study conducted by the California Department of Conservation(DOC) has found that Santa Clara andAlameda counties lost nearly 7,270 acres of farmland and open spacebetween 1998 and 2000. The roughly 1 percent losses represent anaccelerated decline in Santa Clara, and a slower decline in Alameda.Gilroy and the Tri-Valley area experienced the most pronouncedurbanization over the period studied. Reaction to the study was mixed;farmers expressed concern that farmland loss will make Californiansdependent on outside suppliers for food, much like energy. Stateplanners say the upcoming Central Valley study should raise concernsthroughout the state.