CITY OF WOODLAND
Welcome
Welcome to Woodland !
Woodland is now home to 63,000 people , putting us in the top third of California cities by population . Despite that , Woodland has maintained our small-town charm , something Woodlanders are exceptionally proud of . We pride ourselves on being a welcoming community , whether you ’ re dining at one of our many restaurants , strolling through our historic downtown , catching a show at the Woodland Opera House , or moving here with your business or family .
On the occasion of our city ’ s sesquicentennial , this special section is an opportunity for Woodland to celebrate our leadership in the region , from our thriving food and ag economy to our cutting-edge water infrastructure . Woodland is already home to well over 180 food and agriculture businesses , ranging from seed researchers to growers and ranchers . These local partners create a diverse and resilient economy full of well-paying jobs . But we know that we need to make smart , bold decisions that continue to position our city and our region as a center of food and ag innovation . That ’ s why we were thrilled to open The Lab @ AgStart this spring , our region ’ s first-ever wet lab , commercial kitchen and coworking facility that will allow startup researchers to develop their idea prior to bringing it to market .
We are excited to break ground soon on the new 350-acre mixed-use Woodland Research and Technology Park to help innovators commercialize their ideas right here in our region . As you ’ ll read , our water system is a worldwide model for cities our size , even attracting a Korean delegation not long ago . We ’ re educating young and old alike about agriculture with a number of educational community gardens throughout town , including next to City Hall . And we ’ re so proud of our local restaurants , breweries , bakeries and more for continuing to offer diverse , healthy , delicious options throughout these last very challenging months .
There ’ s much more to share than could fit inside this Special Section . This September , we will host the first-ever Yolo County Farmworker Appreciation Festival in Downtown Woodland to celebrate the laborers who help to bring Yolo County ’ s harvest to our tables . The city is passionate about supporting opportunities for Woodland kids and recently partnered with Woodland Community College to provide generous subsidies and scholarships for local students wishing to continue their education through the Woodland Promise Program . We continue to lead the way in sustainability and climate action , with our city recently deploying two of the first all-electric work trucks in the entire country . Finally , we are working on two major land annexations , the first including most of the 450 acres to the northwest of town around an existing industrial area , and the second slated for the Woodland Research and Technology Park . Scheduled to be completed this fall , these annexations will help us bring needed additional commercial space , grow and attract companies , and build diverse and accessible housing .
Although we feel we ’ re doing lots of big things , personal connections and a small-town sense of community are still Woodland ’ s best attributes . I hope you enjoy the features that follow and that you come visit us very soon .
Sincerely , Tom Stallard Mayor , City of Woodland
12 comstocksmag . com | 2021