San Benito Agricultural Land Trust this week announced it has received grant funding to support two significant land conservation projects in San Benito County.
Grants totaling more than $3.4 million will partially fund the purchase of the 586-acre San Antonio Ranch in San Juan Bautista, and fully fund a conservation easement on 556 acres of farmland and rangeland in the Santa Ana Valley, according to an SBALT spokesperson.
“SBALT is repeatedly reminded of the commitment of our agricultural landowners to protect the irreplaceable land that supports food production for our community and people worldwide,” said Lynn Overtree, Executive Director of SBALT. “We are honored to be trusted as partners in realizing their vision.”
The grants are funded by the California Strategic Growth Council in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, through the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program. The program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities, according to SBALT.
The local investments will help ensure that working lands remain in agricultural production while preserving open space, protecting natural resources and maintaining the rural character of the county.
The San Antonio Ranch project represents a critical opportunity to conserve a highly visible working ranch and ecologically valuable wildlife corridor, says a press release from SBALT.
The Wildlife Conservation Network and Peninsula Open Space Trust donated $1.5 million of private funding and The Conservation Fund used an internal loan to cover the balance when they bought the property from the Breen family in 2025.
SBALT’s mission is to conserve regionally significant lands that sustain productive agriculture, preserve open space, and maintain the rural character of the county.
The Santa Ana Valley conservation easement will permanently protect productive farmland and rangeland from development, says the press release.
“We thank not only our amazing local agricultural community, but all Californians who support the programs that pay for the permanent protection of our vital agricultural land,” said Michael Reeves, SBALT Board President. “Their generosity ensures that California remains one of the largest and most diverse agricultural economies in the world.”
By securing this funding, SBALT continues to advance its commitment to protecting the region’s agricultural heritage while contributing to broader climate and conservation goals across California.
SBALT remains dedicated to promoting responsible land use practices and encouraging other landowners to explore the benefits of conservation easements, says the press release.
