SONOMA COTJNTY FARM BTJREATJ Affiliated with California the
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Fatm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation
May 20,201.4 Tennis Wick, director Sonoma County Permit & Resource Management Department 2550 Ventura Ave. Santa Rosa, Calif" 95403 Dear Tennis,
ln response to a request by rural residents on Westside Road in Healdsburg, Sonoma County Farm Bureau has issued a statement reaffirming its position to protect, preserve, enhance and encourage agricultural production in farming zones throughout Sonoma County. Farm Bureau's board of directors asked that the Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department and Sonoma County Planning Commission receive a copy of the statement that outlines Farm Bureau's mission to preserve and protect agricultural production and farmland in Sonoma County.
Thank you,
,LIL :[:m,es,en, Sonoma County Far
CC: Dick Fogg, cha
Marc Bom
970 Prner Road . Santa Rosa. C
John Mevedo, chairman Bureau
Natural Resources & Environment Committee
n of the Sonoma County Planning Commission h, Westside Road Group
95403
'
Phone (707) 544-5515. Fax (707) 544-1452. Website: w\\w.sonou.racountyf-armbLlrcau.conr
SONOMA COIJNTY FARM BIJREALJ
Affiliated with the California Farm Bureau Federation and the American Fann Bureau Federation
"Sonoma County Farm Bureau's Agriculture Principles" Sonoma County Farm Bureau would like to reaffirm its strong commitment to preserving,
fostering and enhancing agricultural production and preserving f'armland in Sonoma County. To
fulfill this mission, Farm Bureau requests that the Sonoma County Permit &
Resource
Depaftment, the Planning Commission and County Board of Supervisors continue to focus its efTorts on the preservation and protection of agricultural landscapes throughout Sonoma County.
Those agricultural landscapes not only include farms and ranches but production and service
facilities and legitimate retail outlets for agricultural commodities. These production and service facilities are vital to the financial viability of agricultural operations. Any non-agricultural development proposed under the guise of agriculture should be vetted during the review process. Projects that are not legitimately agriculture should be denied in agriculture zones.
Agriculture should remain the primary focus for PRMD and the County Planning Commission. Preserving and protecting agriculture throughout the county is Sonoma County Farm Bureau's core mission. Farm Bureau
will continue to monitor the county's planning policy as it relates to
the preservation and protection of agriculture and farmland.
As a member based organization with 3, 000 members in Sonoma County. Farm Bureau strongly believes that events and entertainment should not be the primary focus at agricultural production
facilities and should only be an incidental consideration for facility operations. Entertainment attractions, events and activities in agricultural areas should not be allowed if they contribute to the commercialization of Sonoma County's agricultural landscape.
970 Piner Road'Santa Rosa. CA 95103 . Phone (707)541-5575
. Far (707)511-7151 . \\'ebsitc:
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