What if farmworkers had affordable housing near their jobs, a chance to build equity in their homes, and the dignity and security to raise families in a healthy community?
A Yolo County health assessment found that food insecurity, the high cost of living, wage disparity, and working conditions are major concerns for farmworkers there, but the foremost concern is housing insecurity. The report concludes that “farmworkers need permanent, affordable housing they can own.”
Farmland prices have continued to increase steadily over the past several decades, while net farm incomes have not. And rural lands are increasingly being sold to absentee owners.
The lack of affordable housing in rural Yolo County affects everyone in agriculture:
- Farmworkers live in crowded conditions and struggle to find housing close to work. When they do, rent eats up a dangerous amount of monthly earnings.
- It is increasingly difficult for the next generation of farmers to get established in agriculture, and high land and housing prices are a primary barrier to establishing successful businesses.
- Without local housing stability for workers, established farmer-employers struggle to retain a dedicated workforce.
Casagraria, a fiscally sponsored project of OAEC’s since 2024, is an emerging nonprofit community land trust whose purpose is to convey land and housing to rural farmworkers and underserved farmers in Yolo County and create a model that can be replicated across the state and beyond.
Community land trusts are a proven way to preserve and build affordable housing for families who face housing insecurity or barriers to ownership. First developed in rural Georgia in the 1960’s, CLTs are now emerging as one of the most promising models we have to take land off the real estate market, prevent displacement of vulnerable communities, and provide lasting, affordable homeownership.
The idea for this community-led nonprofit began in 2022 with Paul Muller, co-owner of Full Belly Farm, along with a handful of the farm’s employees. Now, Paul and his wife, farm co-owner Dru Rivers, prepare to transfer a small Capay Valley lot they own to Casagraria for its pilot housing project. Dubbed Casas Capay Valley by prospective residents, this project will build three homes on four acres. Domestic water and septic systems are being planned, architectural plans are taking shape, and construction is expected to start in mid-2026!
“This project can be a step for low-income families like mine. We could be homeowners for the first time, and that feeling is good.”
—“Chyca,” who manages the nursery at an organic Capay Valley farm. She has worked there for over twenty years and considers the valley her home.
Above photos by Ella Galaty
Collaborators & Supporters:
- Full Belly Farm
- Sacramento Community Land Trust
- CA Community Land Trust Network
- RISE, Inc.
- Rural Community Assistance Corp
- California FarmLink
- Agrarian Trust
- National Housing Law Project
- Community Alliance Family Farmers
- Yolo Housing Authority
- Yolo County Planning Department
- LIFT Economy
For thousands of years, Capay Valley has been the home of Patwin people, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation today. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be working here today on their traditional lands.
