The California Department of Conservation announced the latest round of funding for ag easements, and for four Central Valley properties — including a massive Madera County ranch — the money comes with guarantees that the land won’t be developed.

Earlier this month, the California Strategic Growth Council approved more than $128 million in awards to preserve ag land throughout the state through the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program.

The 10th round of awards funded 40,000 acres across 52 projects, 48 of which were acquisition grants. Eight of the projects will return 11,316 acres to California Native American tribes.

Two properties in Fresno County and two in Madera County were approved for funds.

“Land protection goes hand-in-hand with community needs — today’s grants

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