Hughson protects its farmland

Earlier this week in Hughson, the City Council showed that there is no doubt that the ability of local representatives can and will recognize the most important agricultural area the world has ever known and respond accordingly.

Kudos to the Hughson council and its staff, who put forward a plan that reflects their urban setting and their heritage. They know where they live on Earth. Their policy will help other local jurisdictions understand why it is so important to understand the quality of soils that surround them. We come from the Earth, we return to the Earth, and in between, we garden.

DENNY JACKMAN

Modesto

Editor's note: Hughson adopted a farmland preservation program that requires the permanent protection of farmland based on a 2-to-1 ratio. In the future, for every acre of farmland that is converted to housing, two acres must be preserved through a conservation easement or other means. We've posted a copy of the five-page policy with this letter on www.modbee.com.