Land Stewardship Committee

Local farmers and ranchers in Santa Barbara County have an interest in transition to climate-beneficial land stewardship but there are many regulatory, financial, and technical challenges to scaling those practices. Policy change, financial assistance, and technical guidance are needed at various scales to increase adoption in Santa Barbara and the larger Tri-County region.

The Land Stewardship Committee was created as an advisory board to help scale and improve incentives for ecological management practices, incorporate the needs of the agricultural sector into County climate planning and land use policy, and improve regional understanding of the economic and ecological benefits of climate-beneficial land stewardship. By conducting outreach to food system workers, developing grant-funded projects, and connecting a network of service providers, we can assist growers in the region in transitioning to cleaner, safer, and more effective management practices.

Committee Leadership

Malia Josephine- mjosephine@countyofsb.org

Climate Programs Specialist, County of Santa Barbara

Committee Functions

A man driving a green tractor pulls large flatbeds through a field of leafy greens, while other workers load boxes on

Farmer & Rancher Support

1. Identify farmer and rancher challenges and needs to advance group priorities.
2. Create a network of service providers who are informed on regulatory barriers, current opportunities and projects, support interested or enrolled growers.
3. Generate shared communications tactics for reaching farmers and ranchers about programs and resources.

The Land Stewardship Committee convenes twice a year, usually in the Spring and Fall. Please contact the Committee Chair for specific meeting timing.

Committee Meeting Times

Get Involved

This Committee is composed primarily of agriculture and food system support agencies– non-profits, government and quasi-government– as they are positioned to most effectively promote opportunities and information within the sector. This Committee recognizes that working farmers and ranchers have little extra time in their day to become members of additional coalitions, but stresses that any landowner or agriculturalist interested is invited to participate in the committee meetings.

If you would like to be included as a member, or propose a topic to be discussed by the membership, please contact the Committee Chairs.