SBAFA Supports Hibbits Ranch Conservation Easement

February 2, 2010

Charles Tyson
California Department of Conservation
Division of Land Resource Protection
801 K Street, MS 18-01
Sacramento, California 95814

RE: LTSBC grant application for Hibbits Ranch conservation easement

Dear Mr Tyson,

At the request of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, we are submitting this letter of support for the Hibbits Ranch conservation project and grant application to the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program.

We believe that an agricultural conservation easement on the Hibbits Ranch will benefit the community in a variety of ways; keeping land with highly productive soils viable for agriculture; maintaining a farming history of the property which began in 1897; preserving the rural landscape that is the gateway to Lompoc and the scenic backdrop to Mission La Purisima State Historic Park; and potentially initiating discussions with neighboring farm owners who may be interested in protecting their land.

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has been serving our county for over twenty years and they are committed to protecting our natural lands and agricultural heritage. We hope you will see fit to approve their grant application and further their work to protect the Hibbits Ranch.

Sincerely,

The Members of the Santa Barbara County Ag Futures Alliance