Solano County's rapid economic and demographic growth pose challenges for the goals of growth accommodation and the continued viability of its agricultural sector. The County's agricultural sector includes prime agricultural land, with the flexibility to support a broad array of crop types. In response to these growth trends, the Solano County Farmlands and Open Space Foundation (SCFOSF) hired a consultant team to produce an agricultural easement plan for the County.
The purpose of the plan was to consider the benefits of and threats to agriculture in the County, the areas best targeted for willing-seller agriculture easement purchase, and the funding options for meeting preservation targets. EPS worked with a team of consultants to develop the plan and was primarily responsible for (1) evaluating the projected growth of the County's seven cities and associated threats to agriculture, (2) quantifying the economic impacts of the agricultural industry on the County, and (3) providing funding options for the purchase of easements.