The Ag Preserve

"While many other regions permanently paved over their agricultural land, Napa County did something truly unique and doubled down on agriculture. The result was nothing short of visionary."
- Garrett Buckland, Past NVG President | Owner, Premiere Viticultural Services

Quick Facts About the Napa Valley Ag Preserve

Photo by Emma K. Morris

This landmark set of zoning laws, which encompasses Ag Preserve and Ag Watershed lands, established agriculture as the highest and best use of the land in Napa County
The Ag Preserve was established as AP and AW zoning in 1968 to protect agriculture for future generations; this was the first zoning ordinance of its kind in the country
Planted vineyard land makes up 9 percent of Napa County land totaling around 45,000 acres
37,100 acres of land (7.3% of the County) are protected in perpetuity through Conservation Agreements between landowners and the Land Trust of Napa County
Nationally, we lose nearly 40 acres of farmland every hour due to urban sprawl; however, not one acre of Ag Preserve zoned land has been lost to urban use since its adoption
According to the American Farmland Trust, an acre of agricultural land on average produces 58 times fewer GHG emissions than an acre of urban use.

History

Preserving the Vineyards of Napa Valley
By: Jon Ruel, past NVG President
Description: The Ag Preserve as it pertains to local regulations and the commitment of a community

AG Preservation History
By: The Jack L. Davies Napa Valley Agricultural Land Preservation Fund
Description: Timeline of historical events