photo credit: Shutterstock
Rows of vines stretch across a Sonoma County vineyard

 The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved an action plan on Tuesday meant to strengthen the agriculture industry amid a growing crisis across all sectors.

County staff will work with departments ranging from the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to the University of California Cooperative Extension to carry it out.

The goals include stabilizing a struggling industry, preventing further loss of acreage and facilities, and protecting a clear path forward.

The plan calls for an agricultural incubator to support new and small‑scale farmers, affordable long‑term leases, and expanded educational and recreational programming.

Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said all sectors are feeling the squeeze, but the solutions are complex.

“There just isn't a place to turn,” Hopkins said. “So there are all of these unique challenges that happen to be hitting the different sectors of agriculture kind of at the same time, which is really putting a lot of pressure, especially on our workforce who is seeing a loss of job opportunities.”

Agriculture represents 18 percent of Sonoma County’s total economy, but the value of its products is declining. Since 2018, the county has lost 14 dairies and more than 2,700 acres of vineyard.

Hopkins said she remains optimistic about creative approaches that could bring new energy to the industry, including using land as rentable campsites and small on‑farm educational events.

“We really want to get folks from the city out onto the farms to appreciate all of the work and love and care that goes into growing,” Hopkins said.

The county plans to roll out the workplan in phases over the next three years, with a full General Plan update expected by January 2029.