Agricultural leases are located on Parks/Open Space tracts in Precincts 1, 3 and 4. The primary purpose of Agricultural Leases is to leverage partnerships with local producers to reduce Travis County’s direct cost of managing land. Through these partnerships, 845 acres of public land are privately managed. After the Parks/Open Space land acquisition, agricultural leases were offered to the existing lessee to maintain historic land management activities, promote partnerships with local producers, and to reduce impacts on other parkland management activities. Each lease partner contributes labor and equipment expenses each year that would otherwise be the responsibility of Park Land Management staff. The lessees also act as “eyes and ears” on the properties, helping to reduce trespass, poaching, dumping, etc. The current lease rate is $8.00/acre; This is reviewed annually with the Farm Services Administration. In 2023, the Land Stewardship Manager worked with the Farm Services Administration (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and all leaseholders to evaluate lease terms and to identify opportunities for improved stewardship practices that align with land management goals. Other leases are currently on a five (5) year renewal cycle and are not part of this lease renewal item. All terms and conditions have been reviewed and agreed upon by lease partners, the NRCS and the FSA. The agricultural leases have been beneficial to the County and the lessees. Both parties would like to continue the collaborative model. The following agricultural lease will be extended: <table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;border: medium;width: 715px;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 21.8182%; border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 15pt; vertical-align: top;">Property</td><td style="width: 23.4965%; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 15pt; vertical-align: top;">Lessee</td><td style="width: 20.1399%; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt; height: 15pt; vertical-align: top;">Original Lease</td><td style="width: 20.2797%; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; border-style: solid solid solid none