Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP)

Support for voluntarily ag land transitions that save water and create co-benefits

What is the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program in Madera County?

The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) is a California Department of Conservation (DOC) block grant aimed at funding local entities in regions needing to improve groundwater sustainability. Madera County is one of eight grantees across the state that has been awarded an MLRP grant to develop and implement a local MLRP program. The Madera County MLRP helps incentivize landowners to voluntarily transition irrigated farmland to more sustainable uses, while protecting local economies and communities.

The program is voluntary yet recognizes that SGMA-related impacts have and will require many growers in Madera County to make land use changes. MLRP offers the opportunity for ag landowners to access state and other funding sources to proactively transition their land (or portion of their land) to a less water intensive use.

The goal of the Madera County MLRP is to implement at least seven multibenefit projects, prioritizing those nearby communities, domestic wells, and waterways. The Madera County Multibenefit Agricultural Land Repurposing Plan (MALRP) also includes strategies for building a durable, long-term framework to sustain land repurposing beyond the initial grant period. The Madera County team has completed implementation of the La Vina Community Buffer pilot project as well as successfully selected six projects for funding awards. These projects represent a diverse portfolio of project types and outcomes aligned with regional priorities, including stormwater management, community/cultural space, recharge/flood management, agave crop transition, community buffer zone, and a large-scale recharge project.

Madera County
Multibenefit Agricultural Land Repurposing Plan – MALRP

Throughout 2023 and 2024 the MLRP Partners and support network developed the Multibenefit Agricultural Land Repurposing Plan (MALRP). An important part of this effort was gathering input from growers, residents, and community stakeholders through workshops and other outreach activities. The input process assisted in creating the criteria for land repurposing project types as well as the co-benefits that are desired by the community.

Multibenefit Agricultural Land Repurposing Plan – Adopted by the Board of Supervisors

The La Vina Pilot Project is an On-going Success!

The project in the community of La Vina created a “buffer” area between residential homes and an adjacent ag parcel that now supports water savings and air quality improvements. The pilot project area in La Vina encompasses a little over 5-acres of land owned by a local farmer that was planted with almond and walnut orchard. To make room for the new habitat area, four rows of trees were removed to create pollinator habitat and partially fallowed land that will be maintained for a minimum of 10 years (per MLRP program requirements).
The habitat component of this project consists of two hedgerows. The first and largest hedgerow borders the residential housing units. This hedgerow is 2,022ft long and will grow to an approximate height of 10ft.

The second hedgerow is to beautify the street side for the community and provide diverse pollinator habitat. This hedgerow is 270ft long and consists of small-medium sized shrubs that will grow to a maximum of 6ft. Both hedgerows will provide drought-tolerant native plants that will establish climate-smart pollinators and beneficial insect habitat. This habitat will have the potential to reduce pests such as leaf-footed bugs and navel orange worms, which could help reduce the number of pesticides that need to be applied to the remaining orchard.

Supporting Statewide and Regional Capacity Development – Annual Reports

Together with Self-Help Enterprises, Environmental Defense Fund, and Environmental Incentives with the support from the California Department of Conservation, an Annual Report is developed and shared. The Statewide Support Entity also provides guidance and resources to MLRP block grantees.

Public Survey Input

MLRP Madera is seeking public input about the types of ag land repurposing projects that make sense and are desirable for our region. This input is important to help define the types of projects that will be eligible for MLRP funding as well as the co-benefits that will be created for the community. If you are a grower or resident in Madera County, please contribute your perspective by completing a short survey.

English Survey

Encuesta en Español

MLRP Project Portfolio

The Madera County Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) has completed the competitive project scoring and selection process. Six projects were selected for primary funding consideration, with three additional projects included as runner-ups in the portfolio recommendation.

Download the Madera MLRP Project Portfolio Memo

Madera MLRP Project Portfolio Webinar

Video Recording – Madera MLRP Projects Webinar
English Presentation – Madera MLRP Project Webinar
Presentacion en Espanol – Madera MLRP Project Webinar

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Public Workshops

Input from growers and residents is important to create a localized plan for the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) in Madera County. Please review past workshop resources to learn about the program and how to get involved.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Frank Bergon Senior Center (A Family Friendly Workshop)

Thursday, November 16, 2023, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Madera County Farm Bureau

Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom

Monday, September 9, 2024 4:00 p.m. a 6:30 p.m via Zoom

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Madera County Government Center – 3rd Floor, Presentation Room 3200

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Fairmead Elementary School Cafeteria (A Family Friendly Workshop)

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Madera County Farm Bureau

Friday, November 8, 2024 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom

Meeting Recording

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Madera Community College and The Spec Crop Company Agave Farm

Workshop Flyers

Workshop Presentations

Additional Resources

- MLRP FAQs Flyer
- MLRP Frequently Asked Questions

MLRP Madera Contact Information:

Email mlrp@maderacounty.com with any questions or needs pertaining to the workshops.