This article is from the Fall 2022 issue of Landmarks, the newsletter of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

by Vicki Lowell, Marketing and Communications Manager

Agriculture and Nature Thriving Side by Side

The Land Trust acquired the 500-acre Watsonville Slough Farm in 2010 with the support of ten partner organizations and funding from the State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board. Our shared goals for this rich and varied property are to preserve agricultural land, restore coastal ecosystems, and connect people with sustainable agriculture and nature. We’ve restored over 50 acres of wetlands and coastal prairie grasslands, upgraded wells and irrigation systems to save water and electricity, and adopted an array of soil conservation practices like cover crops and sediment basins.

When we launched public access planning in 2020, we invited input from the community, holding over 25 tours and a series of online meetings. Community members expressed the need for more publicly accessible natural areas and access to fresh fruits and vegetables. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to connect people with the healthy and sustainable food grown on the farm, while highlighting the work of our farm tenant partners and showcasing our good wildlife habitat stewardship practices. Santa Cruz County has been a global leader in organic agriculture since the term was coined, and we celebrate that tradition.

Preserving Agricultural Land

Watsonville Slough Farm is located at 275 Lee Road, at the corner of Harkins Slough Road. Just a half mile down the street is Pajaro Valley High School and the homes and businesses of northern Watsonville. Our plans include community harvest areas where visitors can pick fresh fruit and picnic. In addition to the chance to experience sustainable agriculture firsthand, we hope this will help address the issue of food insecurity in our community. We have also dedicated a portion of the land to producing healthy food at reduced cost to local families through our partnership with Esperanza Community Farms.

About 240 acres of the farm host diverse certified organic farms, growing kale, chard, strawberries and tomatoes, with the remainder preserved for wildlife habitat and farm visits. The preserve area of the property includes over 40 acres of open water, which are part of the Watsonville Slough System, supporting over 200 kinds of birds, such as osprey, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. The land supports foraging, dispersal, and breeding habitats for over 20 rare and endangered species. The sloughs provide habitat for native fish species such as the Prickly Sculpin and Sacramento Blackfish. Spectacular wildlife thriving just downstream from fields growing the healthiest food on earth makes this a model we’d like to share.

Creating Community through Conservation

Watsonville Slough Farm Community Harvest will build awareness about the unique farmland of Santa Cruz County, the economic and environmental sustainability of these lands, and the importance of conserving them. We envision a place where visitors can harvest fruits and vegetables while learning about healthy food and healthy land. Picnic areas and nature trails, including a half-mile accessible trail, will provide visitors an opportunity to get fresh air, observe wildlife, exercise, and gather with family and friends.

Plans for facilities include boardwalks and viewing platforms that will allow guests to access harvest areas while experiencing firsthand the results of our wetland restoration work and see how we strike a balance between productive agriculture and habitat conservation. No entrance fees are planned. •