4/3/2024 0 Comments Big farm mobile harvest review![]() To help wineries safely re-open under state rules during COVID, the county passed a temporary ordinance requiring food service. ![]() This gives visitors an opportunity to reconnect to the land that nourishes and sustains us.īefore the pandemic, food service was not allowed at wineries. ![]() “Farmstays” would require an educational experience for guests related to the agriculture that takes place on the land - think berry picking, grape harvesting, or poultry egg-gathering activities. Outside of the coastal zone, our county does not allow short-term rentals in residential or agricultural zones but does allow “homestays” when the owner or another permanent resident also lives onsite (and goes through the proper permit process). The second opportunity deals with “farmstays” or limited guest lodging. Farmers could capture more value onsite from their raw materials rather than sending crops and resources away for processing. The first opportunity includes allowing commercial income from activities like farmstand fruit and veggies sales, tree nut hulling, small-scale food processing, aquaponics, composting, firewood chopping and sales, and lumber milling. The just-released Draft EIR proposes four different kinds of opportunities to expand allowable activities on farmland - and the public is encouraged to provide comments. But grazing is especially vulnerable to long periods of drought, so I’m interested in activities that strengthen the financial viability of our farmlands. Over 80 percent of the county’s 720,000 acres in agriculture are grazing lands that provide many environmental and open space benefits for all. Most residents take pride in our county’s rural character. Our iconic orchards, vineyards, row crops, and rangelands help define our county’s identity. Farmlands shape the bucolic appeal of our county. ![]()
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