November 2025
Yolo Land Trust Secures Permanent Protection for 48-Acre Barrett Farm
We are proud to announce the permanent protection of the 48-acre Barrett Farm, an organic row crop farm located west of Woodland along the lush banks of Cache Creek.
This conservation milestone was made possible through a partnership between the Barrett family and Yolo Land Trust, ensuring that the farm’s productive agricultural land, open space, vibrant riparian corridor, and thriving wildlife habitat will be preserved forever.
“We are pleased to support the protection of Barrett Farm, a significant piece of land that benefits both our local farming community and the environment,” said John Currey, Executive Director of Yolo Land Trust. “Preservation of this farmland, which is in close proximity to other permanently protected lands, safeguards its agricultural productivity, high-quality soils, and open space character in perpetuity.”
For more than 25 years, Jim Barrett has owned and farmed this land, working alongside his late wife, Sally, to bring their vision for a healthy farm and ecosystem to life. When they first purchased the property, it was little more than bare ground. Together, they built a home and barn, introduced native plants through hedgerows, and restored habitat throughout the riparian corridor.
Their backgrounds, Jim as a doctor and Sally as a landscape architect, informed their deep commitment to caring for both people and the natural environment. Placing a conservation easement on their land was a long-standing goal, one that Jim is proud to see through.
“We always wanted to conserve this land and protect its farming legacy,” Jim shared. “I want to see more good farmland preserved, and it just makes sense to show my appreciation for the land and the food it grows by keeping this land in organic food production for generations to come.”
With the addition of Barrett Farm, Yolo Land Trust has now permanently protected 79 farms, conserving a total of 13,085 acres of farmland throughout Yolo County. In the high-priority Cache Creek region alone, 15 farms are now permanently conserved, supporting biodiversity, sustaining farming, and preserving the productive landscapes that nourish our community.
This important conservation achievement was made possible thanks to the generous support of Yolo Land Trust donors. Their contributions help YLT complete critical projects like Barrett Farm, protecting farmland, open space, and habitat for future generations.
Barrett Farm stands as a testament to what is possible when dedicated landowners and conservation partners work together to ensure farmland remains farmland, forever.