No on Measure T

The City of Watsonville is voting (already by mail-in ballot, June 4 actual election day) on Measure T, which would expand the city’s urban limit line. The proposal would pave the way (pun intended) for the development of 95 acres of farmland, with the stated goal of attracting big box stores like Costco. Included in these 95 acres of prime farmland is the ground we currently lease at the Redman House. We farm 11 acres of vegetables, strawberries and apples here, and have our farmstand on this property. We can attest that it is excellent farmland–flat, fertile and productive.

Measure T would undo the 2002 urban limit line set by voters in Measure U, a long-debated, thoroughly researched and well-supported delineation that protected the area’s farmland from urban sprawl. If we do pave over this farmland and manage to attract the sort of box store that supporters of the measure are counting on, this will draw shoppers away from the struggling downtown Watsonville area, further imperiling the small business owners who are trying to make a living here. There are large empty lots and an empty department store available on what is still a pretty, historic Main Street area with character. Why can’t we encourage new local businesses to come in to these areas? We should be encouraging growth of a local economy filling in the many unused commercial lots rather than finding new ways to move local money into the hands of huge multinational corporations.

We of course have a personal interest in this measure. If it passes and developers purchase the land, we would lose our lease on the Redman property, which we have farmed for almost a decade. And perhaps more important, we would lose the Redman House Farmstand, which provides Watsonville area residents with access to fresh organic produce five days a week. (There are no natural grocery stores in Watsonville.)

But the bigger issue is that if we pave over our farms, how are we supposed to feed a growing population? This land is truly some of the best farmland in the world. The farms existing on these properties are already employing people and contributing to the local economy. It is being used for its best use already, contributing to our city and our nation’s food security.

I just had to get that off my chest, because I can’t vote in this election. Our home is just outside the city limits of Watsonville. On the face of it, when I look around I see overwhelming rejection of Measure T in evidence—lawn signs, newspaper editorials, many local officials and community groups, even the Santa Cruz County Business Council all have come out against the measure. But in the end it will depend on those voters within the city limits who are interested enough to come out to vote for a special election on this single measure. If you happen to be one of those, please vote No on Measure T!