YCTA’s Position on Yolo County Land Grab:
Gambling Profits to be Used to Seize Conaway Ranch

For decades, the farmers on Conaway Ranch have worked the soil, planted with the seasons and reaped during harvest time. But if your County Supervisor has their way, this could end. 

The history of agricultural and environmental stewardship on Conaway Ranch is being threatened with the use of your tax dollars. The County has decided to use their extraordinary power of eminent domain to seize the Conaway Ranch from a group of private owners who have more than 15-years of experience managing the Ranch. 

With the financial backing of a local gaming tribe, the County claims their actions are necessary to protect the ranch’s farmland and water rights.  But if so, why do family farmers and water users such as the Yolo County Farm Bureau and the Family Water Alliance oppose this public taking of private property?  

Why is the County using such powers typically used for building roads and infrastructure? And how can a county that has furloughed county employees and cut public services to balance its multi-million budget deficit afford to own and manage a 17,000 acre ranch?  

If they can’t fix potholes, can the County really manage a 17,000-acre ranch? 

Yolo County has not explained the urgency nor have they made a convincing case that the farming interests of Conaway Ranch are best served under public ownership. Besides, the county can already preserve the ranch’s farmland and water by simply denying building permits and enforcing strict water ordinances -- and all this can be done without seizing the ranch from its unwilling sellers.  

Yolo County should abandon its eminent domain proceedings now.  

While efforts to maintain the status quo of Conaway Ranch in agricultural is a worthy goal, the use of eminent domain to achieve this end is unnecessary, fiscally irresponsible, and a misuse of governmental power. 

Please join our grass-roots “Protect Conaway Ranch - Stop County Land Grab” campaign by signing up for our “Tax Alerts” and urge your Supervisor to leave ranching to local family farmers and landowners.