Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>The goal of the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) is to provide consistent and impartial data to decision makers for use in assessing present status, reviewing trends, and planning for the future of California’s agricultural land resources. FMMP produces Important Farmland Maps, which are a hybrid of resource quality (soils) and land use information. Data is also released in statistical formats--principally the biennial California Farmland Conversion Report. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">PRIME FARMLAND AS MAPPED BY FMMP</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>In order to be shown on FMMP’s Important Farmland Maps as Prime Farmland and Farmland of Statewide Importance, </SPAN></P><P><SPAN>land must meet both the following criteria:</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Land Use:</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Has been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the Important Farmland Map date. Irrigated land use is determined by FMMP staff by analyzing current aerial photos, local comment letters, and related GIS data, supplemented with field verification.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>-- AND --</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Soil:</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The soil must meet the physical and chemical criteria for Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance as determined by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS compiles lists of which soils in each survey area meet the quality criteria. Factors considered in qualification of a soil by NRCS include:</SPAN></P><UL><LI><P><SPAN>Water moisture regimes, available water capacity, and developed irrigation water supply</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Soil temperature range</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Acid-alkali balance</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Water table</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Soil sodium content</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Flooding (uncontrolled runoff from natural precipitation)</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Erodibility</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Permeability rate</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Rock fragment content</SPAN></P></LI><LI><P><SPAN>Soil rooting depth</SPAN></P></LI></UL><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>For more detail about the soil criteria and mapping categories, please read </SPAN><A href="http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/fmmp/Documents/soil_criteria.pdf"><SPAN>this excerpt from the FMMP Guidelines</SPAN></A><SPAN>. </SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><A href="http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/fmmp/mccu/Pages/prime_soils.aspx"><SPAN>The Prime/Statewide lists for each county </SPAN></A><SPAN>are available on the FMMP web site in PDF format. Any questions specific to soil qualifications for Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance lists should be directed to your local NRCS office. For questions on compilation of the Important Farmland Maps, contact FMMP. The NRCS Soil Data Mart hosts original soil data in GIS format--see links below.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Other 'Prime' Land definitions</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>The term 'Prime' as it refers to rating for agricultural use has two meanings in California. FMMP determines the location and extent of 'Prime Farmland' as described above; while under the state's Williamson Act, land may be enrolled under the 'Prime Agricultural Land' designation if it meets certain economic or production criteria.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>, The goal of the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) is to provide consistent and impartial data to decision makers for use in assessing present status, reviewing trends, and planning for the future of California’s agricultural land resources. FMMP produces Important Farmland Maps, which are a hybrid of resource quality (soils) and land use information. Data is also released in statistical formats--principally the biennial California Farmland Conversion Report. PRIME FARMLAND AS MAPPED BY FMMPIn order to be shown on FMMP’s Important Farmland Maps as Prime Farmland and Farmland of Statewide Importance, land must meet both the following criteria:Land Use:Has been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the Important Farmland Map date. Irrigated land use is determined by FMMP staff by analyzing current aerial photos, local comment letters, and related GIS data, supplemented with field verification.-- AND --Soil:The soil must meet the physical and chemical criteria for Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance as determined by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS compiles lists of which soils in each survey area meet the quality criteria. Factors considered in qualification of a soil by NRCS include:Water moisture regimes, available water capacity, and developed irrigation water supplySoil temperature rangeAcid-alkali balanceWater tableSoil sodium contentFlooding (uncontrolled runoff from natural precipitation)ErodibilityPermeability rateRock fragment contentSoil rooting depthFor more detail about the soil criteria and mapping categories, please read this excerpt from the FMMP Guidelines. The Prime/Statewide lists for each county are available on the FMMP web site in PDF format. Any questions specific to soil qualifications for Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance lists should be directed to your local NRCS office. For questions on compilation of the Important Farmland Maps, contact FMMP. The NRCS Soil Data Mart hosts original soil data in GIS format--see links below.Other 'Prime' Land definitionsThe term 'Prime' as it refers to rating for agricultural use has two meanings in California. FMMP determines the location and extent of 'Prime Farmland' as described above; while under the state's Williamson Act, land may be enrolled under the 'Prime Agricultural Land' designation if it meets certain economic or production criteria., The goal of the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) is to provide consistent and impartial data to decision makers for use in assessing present status, reviewing trends, and planning for the future of California’s agricultural land resources. FMMP produces Important Farmland Maps, which are a hybrid of resource quality (soils) and land use information. Data is also released in statistical formats--principally the biennial California Farmland Conversion Report. PRIME FARMLAND AS MAPPED BY FMMPIn order to be shown on FMMP’s Important Farmland Maps as Prime Farmland and Farmland of Statewide Importance, land must meet both the following criteria:Land Use:Has been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the Important Farmland Map date. Irrigated land use is determined by FMMP staff by analyzing current aerial photos, local comment letters, and related GIS data, supplemented with field verification.-- AND --Soil:The soil must meet the physical and chemical criteria for Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance as determined by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS compiles lists of which soils in each survey area meet the quality criteria. Factors considered in qualification of a soil by NRCS include:Water moisture regimes, available water capacity, and developed irrigation water supplySoil temperature rangeAcid-alkali balanceWater tableSoil sodium contentFlooding (uncontrolled runoff from natural precipitation)ErodibilityPermeability rateRock fragment contentSoil rooting depthFor more detail about the soil criteria and mapping categories, please read this excerpt from the FMMP Guidelines. The Prime/Statewide lists for each county are available on the FMMP web site in PDF format. Any questions specific to soil qualifications for Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance lists should be directed to your local NRCS office. For questions on compilation of the Important Farmland Maps, contact FMMP. The NRCS Soil Data Mart hosts original soil data in GIS format--see links below.Other 'Prime' Land definitionsThe term 'Prime' as it refers to rating for agricultural use has two meanings in California. FMMP determines the location and extent of 'Prime Farmland' as described above; while under the state's Williamson Act, land may be enrolled under the 'Prime Agricultural Land' designation if it meets certain economic or production criteria.
Service Item Id: 1f29c64ea00945b9b05206fba6aef3c8
Copyright Text: State of California, Department of Conservation, State of California, Department of Conservation, State of California, Department of Conservation