Information provided by San Benito Agricultural Land Trust. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
San Benito Agricultural Land Trust (SBALT) is proud to announce it has received grant funding, of more than $3.4 million, to support two significant land conservation projects in San Benito County. These projects include partial funding for the acquisition of the 586-acre San Antonio Ranch in San Juan Bautista and full funding for a conservation easement on 556 acres of farmland and rangeland in the Santa Ana Valley.
Lynn Overtree, Executive Director, says, “SBALT is repeatedly reminded of the commitment of our agricultural landowners to protect the irreplaceable land that supports food production for our community and people worldwide. We are honored to be trusted as partners in realizing their vision.”
These investments will help ensure that working lands remain in agricultural production while preserving open space, protecting natural resources, and maintaining the rural character of the county.
In collaboration with the Department of Conservation, the California Strategic Growth Council supported the permanent conservation of these two projects with a grant through the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program. The Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest (also known as Cap-and-Trade) dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The San Antonio Ranch project represents a critical opportunity to conserve a highly visible working ranch and ecologically valuable wildlife corridor. We thank our partners for making it possible. The Wildlife Conservation Network and Peninsula Open Space Trust donated $1.5 million of private funding and The Conservation Fund used an internal loan to cover the balance when they bought it from the Breen family in 2025.
The Santa Ana Valley conservation easement will permanently protect productive farmland and rangeland from development.
SBALT Board President, Michael Reeves, expresses his appreciation when he says, “We thank not only our amazing local agricultural community, but all Californians who support the programs that pay for the permanent protection of our vital agricultural land. Their generosity ensures that California remains one of the largest and most diverse agricultural economies in the world.”
By securing this funding, SBALT continues to advance its commitment to protecting the region’s agricultural heritage while contributing to broader climate and conservation goals across California.
SBALT remains dedicated to promoting responsible land use practices and encouraging other landowners to explore the benefits of conservation easements.