Central to the North Coast's ecology, culture and economy are the private resource lands and land managers that provide the functional core of the region's resource based industries.  Private resource lands in the region have a complimentary, but distinctly separate role to play from the region's public lands in achieving landscape-scale conservation objectives.  As such, the individuals, organizations and public officials involved with the Working Lands Conservation Program recognize and support thoughtful conservation activities on these private lands and are working to prevent fragmentation of the land base.

Excluding timber production, more than 25% of the land in Humboldt County is in agricultural production, with dairy being the most prominent industry. Our area's productive soil, mild climate and ample rainfall result in excellent pastureland that allows our dairy farmers to run herds that are only 10 to 20% the size of many dairies in the Central Valley.

The Northcoast also supports a unique niche in floral nursery production, as well as livestock grazing, field and row crops, organic vegetables, orchards, vineyards, medicinal herbs, spinning wools, and more. Productive farmland on the North Coast provides us with a host of benefits, including open space and expansive views, habitat for many species of migrating birds and other wildlife, and locally-grown produce.