Grant Program Will Pay California Farmers To Repurpose Fallow Land

A new state grant program will help California farmers convert idle land to new purposes in an effort to mitigate the environmental and economic effects of drought on the state's Central Valley.

1 minute read

November 15, 2021, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


California Central Valley

Aaron Kohr / Shutterstock

As drought continues to strain California's water supply, Dustin Gardiner reports that "Farmers are being forced to fallow — a term for plowing land and leaving it unplanted — their fields and orchards in unprecedented numbers" due to restrictions imposed by the state's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Leaving land fallow, however, can lead to more severe dust storms that would worsen the Central Valley's already dismal air quality. To compensate farmers for their lost revenue and prevent a future dust bowl, the state has allocated $50 million to a program that supports farmers in finding new uses for fallowed land. According to the article, "local organizations such as irrigation districts or municipalities will receive block grants, funding that must then be doled out to help farmers convert their land to uses that aim to improve air quality, conserve water or provide other community benefits." 

The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program will encourage farmers to repurpose their land in a variety of ways, such as restoring wildlife habitat, building recharge basins or renewable energy facilities, or converting land into parks. 

In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide drought emergency, urging water agencies to consider implementing mandatory conservation measures as the state faces one of the worst droughts in its history. 

Monday, November 8, 2021 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

6 seconds ago - Urban Milwaukee

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA