CA AB1961

Requires each county to develop a sustainable farmland strategy by January 2, 2018, including a map and inventory of agriculturally zoned land, goals and policies to retain farmland, and a dedicated county website page documenting compliance.

Exempts counties with less than 4% of their land base in agriculture as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture.

Mandates the Office of Planning and Research include best practices for agricultural land retention in its next edition of general plan guidelines, including right-to-farm ordinances, conservation easements, urban growth boundaries, and farmland mitigation ordinances.

Requires county boards of supervisors to consult with cities and local agency formation commissions when developing the sustainable farmland strategy to ensure compatibility with existing plans and policies.

Allows counties to comply by developing new strategies, adopting a resolution that existing goals and ordinances are functionally equivalent, or adopting a resolution stating the county does not meet the agricultural land threshold.