On Tuesday, June 2, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will consider whether to fulfill their commitment to fund nearly $5 million for farmland preservation. There are negotiations with local farmers for agricultural conservation easements that are dependent on this funding being approved by the Board of Supervisors. If they do not take action,...
Author: Julie Hutcheson
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Supervisors Approve Climate Smart Farming Pilot Program
Last Tuesday, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved an innovative program to fund climate-smart farming practices. Please thank the Supervisors [see email form below] for authorizing this unique and timely program to increase our region’s climate resilience while also supporting local farms and ranches. What’s Happening In January 2019, the Board of Supervisors...
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50th Earth Day Celebration: A Pandemic Won’t Stop Us
Over 500 participants shared in the spirit of community, activism, and empowerment that permeated Green Foothills’ Virtual Earth Day event on April 22. Messages about the urgent need to act on behalf of our environment for our own sake and that of future generations were intertwined with calls for everyone to make a positive impact....
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People Who Give Us Hope: Trina Hineser
But for Trina, the most gratifying part of her work has been facilitating connections that bring people together to find solutions to issues big and small. We know that this will serve her well in her new Executive Director role, working collaboratively with other agencies and organizations like Green Foothills to protect the natural habitats and agricultural lands of Santa Clara County.
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Trina Hineser: Lifting Others Into Leadership Roles
For Trina, the most gratifying part of her work has been facilitating connections that bring people together to find solutions to issues big and small. This is serving her well in her new Executive Director role, working collaboratively with other agencies and organizations like Green Foothills to protect the natural habitats and agricultural lands of Santa Clara County.
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Big Potential in Small Farms
For over a decade, claims have been made that farming on small parcels – those that are 40 acres or less – is simply not viable in Santa Clara County. To be successful, according to this argument, farming requires much larger parcel sizes. With 83% of agricultural parcels in the county below this 40-acre threshold,...
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People Who Give Us Hope – Carolyn Tognetti
Carolyn Tognetti has been a true champion of southern Santa Clara County’s environment for decades. A native of Gilroy, Carolyn became involved in city land use issues with a local group called Citizens for Balanced Growth in the late 1980s and has remained a core member as it transformed into Save Open Space Gilroy in...
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CEQA: A Force for People and Nature
Committee for Green Foothills is a steadfast supporter of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and has been since this landmark environmental protection and public process law was passed by the state legislature in 1970. This is because it gives the public – and organizations like ours – the right to weigh in on the...
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Reimagining Community Advocates Leadership Academy
Founded in 2013, the Community Advocates Leadership Academy (CALA), has served as the training ground for over 200 graduates who are working locally to make a difference on the environmental and social challenges of our time. In 2019 we have tackled the question, “How can we deepen our impact and better achieve our mission and...
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Supervisors Conditionally Approve $5 Million for Farmland Preservation
Last week the Board of Supervisors approved a one-time reserve of almost $5 million for farmland preservation. Although this $5 million may be reduced in the coming fiscal year to pay for other financial needs, this is still an important step forward. Please thank the Supervisors for approving this one-time funding to protect our county’s...