Yolo County supervisors participated in a workshop Tuesday focused on the county's mission to preserve land for agricultural uses, wrote Katherine Jarvis in the Daily Democrat.

The workshop included testimony from agricultural experts, county representatives and the public.

UC Cooperative Extension specialist Louise Jackson of the UC Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources testified at the workshop about the importance of preserving Yolo County ag land in light of climate change.

"Climate change is more than just uncertainty about what will happen to crops," she said.

While agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, maintaining farmland is important, Jackson said.

Higher levels of carbon dioxide can slightly increase total vegetative growth. Lower rainfall from climate change can also create water supply issues while heat waves can cause crop damage.

Jackson said urban and suburban residents need to realize the value of agricultural land.

"It's their backyard," she said.