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22 � a Landmark farm plan Unique program allows open space to be leased for agricultural use January 18, 2002 By TIM TESCONI THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Green belts around Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park will be plowed into food belts this spring as Sonoma County moves forward with a unique public - private partnership to encourage farms on the urban edge. In a program that could be the first of its kind anywhere in the country, Sonoma County will lease public land that has been permanently protected from urban development to farmers for fruit, vegetable, herb and flower production. Supporters say it's a way to preserve family farms, maintain the county's rich agricultural heritage and give urban consumers a local food source. "We've saved the land from being developed. Now we are going to the next level to preserve small -scale agriculture in Sonoma County," said Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the county Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, which is funded by a quarter -cent sales tax. Mackenzie said research by her staff has not found a similar farm program elsewhere in the nation. Other areas are already contacting the district seeking guidance in putting working farms in green belts. Sonoma County's lease -back plan to farmers is part of the Small Farm Initiative that was developed by the Open Space District and agricultural groups concerned about the loss of family farms. Two parcels -- 20 acres off Snyder Lane near Rohnert Park and 17 acres north of Santa Rosa near the Charles M. Schulz- Sonoma County Airport -- will be available to farm this spring. Farmers have until Feb. 8 to submit applications to lease the land. If successful, another 150 acres of green belt land could be put up for lease in the next two to three years, said Kathleen Brennan - Hunter, an Open Space District planner working on the project. "We want to get farmers on the ground as soon as we can," Brennan - Hunter said. She said priority will be given to farmers growing crops other than wine grapes. "Vineyards seem to be doing well on their own," she said. The goal is to curb loss of the diversified farms that have been Sonoma County's agricultural hallmark. Urban development and vineyard expansion during the past decade have caused a sharp decline in the number of artisan food producers, the mom -and -pop growers who gilded the county's image as the Bay Area's specialty food basket. Agricultural leaders said new approaches are needed to encourage new farmers Because farmland prices are escalating beyond the investment value for any crop other than wine grapes. Apple orchards, pumpkin patches, vegetable and Christmas tree farms are going to vineyards because grapes are more profitable.