SB 6211 designating I-5 through most of Skagit Valley as an Agricultural Scenic Corridor has passed the House unanimously on Sunday, February 28.  Now it’s off to the Governor’s Office for signature.  Thank you for supporting this bill! Congratulations everyone!  Visit link »

Check out our Winter 2010 Bulletin!

Remember to call your State Representative and ask them to vote YES on SB 6211.
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The Washington State Senate unanimously passed SB 6211 on Friday, February 5th. We now need your help to call your State Representative to ask them to support and vote YES on SB 6211. Visit link »

Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland is pleased to be working with Senator Mary Margaret Haugen in creating what could become the first designated Agricultural Scenic Corridor in Washington State.

 

Senate Bill 6211 would designate nearly all of Interstate 5 through Skagit County, from Conway Hill (Exit 218) to Bow Hill (Exit 236), as an Agricultural Scenic Corridor, setting the stage for the community to come together to create a corridor management plan. Such a plan would protect, enhance and reinforce the natural qualities of the corridor and reinforce the value of the Skagit Valley to the economy and ecology of Puget Sound.

 

There is no state funding associated with this legislation. It only sets the stage for a future opportunity to create a corridor management plan that would establish voluntary guidelines and measures for protecting and enhancing the corridor.

 

Once a corridor plan has been adopted, the community will become eligible for new and additional sources of federal funding from the federal scenic byway program for projects within the corridor, including new federal funding for the purchase of development rights to permanently protect farmland.

 

SPF is excited about the potential for this designation. It will provide one more tool in the toolbox for protecting farmland. SPF has been successful in partnering with Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy program to leverage public and private donor dollars to protect farmland along Interstate 5. The designation as an Agricultural Scenic Corridor brings the potential for increased federal funding to Skagit County and SPF for protecting farmland in this critical corridor.

 

You can support SPF this legislative session by contacting your state Senator and Representative and urging them to support this designation. It costs nothing and creates the opportunity for the community to come together in the future to protect the important regional resources that the Skagit Valley provides.

 

See SPF's position on SB 6211 under Publications / Documents on this site.

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Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program, with assistance from SPF and SPF donors, recently retired a development right and recorded a conservation easement on 26 acres of farmland immediately south of the City of Mount Vernon. SPF’s Land Protection Committee considered the 26-acres of farmland, owned by John and Sheri DeVlieger, under immediate threat of conversion, as there have been multiple proposals to annex the farmland into the City. The City of Mount Vernon itself was interested in buying the land as a location for its public works department. SPF’s Board of Directors has set as a priority the preservation of farmland along the I-5 corridor in Skagit County. “Protection of this 26 acres of farmland will reduce the City of Mount Vernon’s ability to sprawl onto Skagit Valley’s precious farmland and will alleviate development pressure and price speculation on farmland immediately south of the protected property,” said Bob Hart, SPF Board President and Chairman of the SPF Land Protection Committee. “Preserving farmland is important to keep agriculture viable especially for farmers like us that farm along the I-5 corridor where there is extreme development pressure,” said John DeVlieger. “We were grateful to be able to work with the Farmland Legacy Program and SPF to retire our development rights in order to protect and reinvest in our family farm.” SPF Executive Director Allen Rozema worked hand-in-hand with the DeVliegers and Farmland Legacy Program Director Kendra Smith over the past year to pull together appraisals and craft the conservation easement that will keep the farmland preserved in perpetuity. SPF’s participation in this project was made possible by the generous support of SPF members and supporters. At last September’s Harvest Dinner & Auction, SPF’s annual fundraising event, attendees raised $58,800 in 15 minutes to help protect this strategic piece of farmland. Two generous donations along with matching funds designated for land protection contributed to the success of this public/private effort to protect farmland. Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program funds the retirement of development rights on farmland with property taxes, which gives farmers an option rather than selling out to development. This latest protected farm acreage marks the third time that SPF has partnered with the Farmland Legacy Program to retire development rights, bringing the total number of acres protected by the partnership to 174 acres since 2008. Overall, the Farmland Legacy Program has protected more than 7,300 acres in Skagit Valley since 1997. “We value our relationship with SPF as we continue to team together to protect strategic farmland in Skagit County,” said Kendra Smith, Director of the Farmland Legacy Program. “Because of the partnership with SPF, we have been able to leverage public and private dollars to maximize protection of farmland from the constant threat of conversion as well as help farmers reinvest back into their farms and keep dollars local.” The SPF Board and staff would like to thank SPF members and supporters along with the Board of Skagit County Commissioners and the Farmland Legacy Program for supporting the preservation of Skagit farmland and keeping Skagit Valley farming. Thank you! Visit link »

SPF is pleased to help announce that SPF members Kevin and Daryl Maas just set another milestone with their green business, Farm Power Northwest LLC, a company that will be producing power from methane digesters located here in the Skagit Valley. Farm Power Northwest LLC just received clearance to "go public" and sell investment shares to the general public. You can read about it in their press release located in our "Publication" page under "Documents." While SPF cannot support or endorse investing with Farm Power Northwest LLC (you have to decide that for yourself), we sure support what they are doing to keep Skagit Valley Farming and providing another revenue stream for the struggling dairy industry.

Recent farmland protection news.

Watch the 2-minute video from The Seattle Times. Cut and paste into your browser: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1509319618?bctid=18428658001

SPF is supporting EHB 1967 that prohibits the expansion of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) onto the 100-year floodplain. With over 65,000 acres of prime farmland located within the Skagit River's 100 year flood plain, the successful passage of this bill will stop the commercial development of over 1,500 acres of prime farmland surrounding the City of Mount Vernon. This bill, which is first and foremost a flood protection and flood damage reduction bill, has the secondary benefits of reducing urban sprawl and protecting prime farmland not only in Skagit Valley, but in most of western Washington as well. The Board of Directors of SPF urges you to call your Senators and ask them to pass this bill as currently written. A contact list for State Senators can be found at the link below (cut and paste in your browser). http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/senatedistrictoffices.htm You can find a copy of EHB 1967 as well as the Senate Bill Report on our Publication Page under Documents. Please consider supporting this bill!

The Board of Directors of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) has approved a historic and precedent-setting agreement that calls for the mitigation of farmland slated for conversion to a wetland mitigation bank. The approval came at the SPF Board meeting on March 11, 2009 after almost six weeks of negotiations with Clear Valley, LLC, the proponent of the wetland bank to be constructed on approximately 396 acres of farmland in the Nookachamps basin. The settlement over time provides payments up to $1,450,200 to Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program to fund the purchase of development rights on agricultural lands to offset Clear Valley’s conversion of farmland to a wetland mitigation bank. The settlement also calls for the permanent protection of 220 acres of farmland that Clear Valley still owns; and the permanent prohibition of any future wetland mitigation banks on prime agricultural lands within Skagit County. On January 27, 2009, SPF filed a Notice of Appeal with the Skagit County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to appeal the Skagit County Hearing Examiner’s decision that favored converting 396 acres of farmland into a private commercial wetland mitigation bank. The hearing examiner’s decision was made on January 23, 2009, after nine days of hearings spread over 10 months. Since filing its Notice of Appeal, SPF agreed to meet with Clear Valley in the interest of finding a solution to a prolonged litigation battle that, in the end, would not have served the best interests of Skagit Valley and its farming community. “While the best short term outcome would have been to halt the project, the long-term costs and impacts would have been too great,” said Bob Hart, SPF Board President. There was the likelihood that the farmland now owned by Clear Valley would be sold off as residential building lots if the wetland mitigation bank was not constructed. In addition, SPF and other agricultural groups would be forced to appeal and litigate each future wetland mitigation bank proposal. “The focus on long-term policy guided the SPF Board in its deliberations and negotiations on the settlement agreement,” said Hart: “We chose to focus on what would be in the best interests of Skagit Valley agriculture over the next 10, 50 and 100 years. “SPF could have continued to pursue stopping the current project from being built, but we would have failed to address the long-term issue and impact of placing commercial wetland mitigation banks on farmland.” The settlement establishes a precedent for the long-term preservation of farmland in Skagit Valley, rather than a short-term victory over a single land use action. The current loss of farmland is mitigated so that additional farmland may be protected. In addition the proposed amendment to Skagit County’s zoning code assures the Skagit agricultural community of a change that prohibits wetland mitigation banks from being built on agricultural lands in the future, all of which supports SPF’s long-term strategic goal to permanently protect our Valley’s remaining critical mass of farmland. The terms of the settlement agreement stipulate that SPF’s appeal to the BOCC will be stayed for a period of 60 days to allow time for the BOCC to consider and adopt a permanent ordinance that deletes private wetland mitigation banks as an allowed use on lands zoned as agriculture. Prior to the signing of the settlement agreement the BOCC adopted a 6-month moratorium for wetland mitigation banks on farmland, demonstrating their commitment to the protection of Skagit Valley’s critical mass of agricultural lands. If the BOCC adopts the Permanent Ordinance deleting wetland mitigation banks as an allowed use on Ag-NRL zoned lands the following actions will take place: 1. Clear Valley will make payments to the Skagit County Farmland Legacy Program that will over time provide approximately $1,450,200 to fund the purchase of development rights on agricultural lands to offset the conversion of farmland within Clear Valley’s project site; and 2. Clear Valley will place agricultural conservation easements on the remaining 220-acres of farmland that they own; and 3. SPF will withdraw its Notice of Appeal to the BOCC. If the BOCC does not adopt a permanent ordinance prohibiting wetland mitigation banking on agricultural zoned lands, the settlement agreement will be voided and SPF will resume its appeal to the to the BOCC. Moving forward, SPF pledges to continue working for the successful adoption of a county and statewide “no-net loss” policy for agricultural lands. “The erosion of farmland must end if we want to preserve for those who will follow us a productive agri-ecosystem that grows delicious, safe, secure food and provides critical habitat from more intensive urban use,” said Hart. “The agricultural heritage and quality of life that we enjoy today in the Skagit Valley are a testimony to the hard work of many and SPF is committed to preserving both.” A Fact Sheet on the Wetland Mitigation Bank Settlement Agreement is available under "Publications / Documents."

The Board of Directors of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) elected officers, recognized two retiring board members for their service and welcomed two new members at its February meeting.

New President Bob Hart most recently served as SPF's Vice President and chaired its Land Protection Committee. Bob also chairs the Office of Farmland Preservation Task Force, an 18-member group appointed by Governor Chris Gregoire that provides statewide guidance for farmland preservation efforts in Washington State. A former Skagit County Commissioner, Bob is a producer of vegetable crops and nursery stock and owner of La Conner Flats. He joined the SPF board in 2004.

Vice President is Darrin Morrison, co-owner of Morrison Farms in Mount Vernon. Darrin has served on the SPF board since 2005. Treasurer Peggy Flynn owns Flynn and Associates in Anacortes and is in her fourth year on the SPF board and second term as treasurer. John Roozen, who joined the SPF board in 1991, will continue as Secretary. He is Vice President of Operations for Washington Bulb Company, Mount Vernon.

Alan Mesman, co-owner of Mesman Dairy, an organic dairy farm in La Conner, served as SPF's President for the past four years. He has been a board member since 2000.

Two retiring SPF board members were recognized for their combined 19 years of service: Mac Madenwald, a retired orthopedic surgeon from Anacortes, and Bud Egbers, retired farmer and founder of Skagit Valley Trucking, from Mount Vernon. 

Joining the board are Tim Knue, Mount Vernon, and Sandy Swartos, Anacortes. Tim retired in 2008 after teaching 27 years at Mount Vernon High School. An agriculture educator, he is a former state of Washington Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year. Sandy is an owner of Steam Interactive, providing sales and marketing and graphic design services.

"We are fortunate to have such an awesome board of directors guiding the critical work of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland," said Allen Rozema, SPF Executive Director. "It is a privilege to work with all of them and I appreciate the talents they bring to help fulfill our mission.

"We thank Mac and Bud for their wonderful contributions over the years and look forward to keeping them involved with SPF. A special thanks goes to Alan Mesman for his commitment and leadership as president over the past four years."

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Founded in 1989 by farming families, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland’s (SPF) mission is to ensure the economic viability of Skagit County agriculture and its required infrastructure through farmland protection, advocacy, research, education, and public awareness.

 

Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) has appealed a recent hearing examiner's decision that favors converting a 396-acre former dairy farm in the Nookachamps basin to a private commercial wetland mitigation bank.  The appeal , which will go to the Skagit County Commissioners, comes after a hearing process that spanned nine days over ten months and included 201 exhibits and 27 witnesses. 

"The hearing examiner's decision is disappointing as it perpetuates the fallacy that converting agricultural land is the solution to solving our community problems related to growth and urbanization," said Allen Rozema, SPF's executive director. 

"Farmland continues to be looked at by county and city planners, elected officials and developers as first choice to increase their tax base and to replace critical habitat lost to subdivisions, parking lots and urban runoff. Skagit farmers have been stewarding their land for generations, providing food that feeds our families and our nation, providing wildlife habitat for thousands of shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors, and helping keep the watershed so healthy that the Skagit Watershed is the only one in the state with a steady and secure population of all six salmon species."

SPF acknowledges that mitigation is a well-accepted practice than can assist in maintaining critical natural resources and holds promise in easing the administrative burden placed on regulators and developers to mitigate for the destruction of wetlands, but the organization disagrees that wetland mitigation banking is providing an ecological lift claimed by many advocates.

Wetland mitigation banks merely “relocate” wetlands from one part of the county to another and transfer the ecological services of those wetlands from one area to another. Wetland banks are only “holding the line” ecologically—they are not adding to the ecological base. Development impacts are not mitigated where the impact is occurring, but transferred to farmland where the pressure increases to grow more food on less land. 

"Our Board of Directors understands that in order to have an agricultural industry in Skagit Valley 100 years from now tough decisions need to be made today that stop the conversion of farmland to other uses," Rozema added.

"The SPF Board is committed to protecting every precious acre of farmland left in Skagit County. That includes holding our elected officials accountable for supporting land use decisions that favor the long-term survival of agriculture. Our appeal gives the County Commissioners the opportunity to review the project against the agricultural protection policies and rules currently in place, which to date have failed to be reviewed and considered."

  

Wishing all of our members and supporters much happiness and joy in 2009! Thank you for helping us accomplish so much in 2008.

What is InFARMation Radio? InFARMation Radio is a small remote controlled highway advisory radio transmitter accessible by motorists and travelers along Interstate 5 (I-5) in Skagit County. The InFARMAtion Radio transmitter is programmed to inform travelers about local agricultural activities and seasonal events in the Skagit Valley. Signage along the Highway and along roadways in the Skagit County encourages travelers to tune into the InFARMation Radio Station (AM 1630). SPF is the owner/manager and provides the ongoing operational fiscal support. Washington State University (WSU) and Skagit Valley College’s KSVR Radio Station donate in-kind staff time to assist with programming. Volunteer Driven: InFARMation Radio’s success is entirely attributable to and dependent upon the generous support of community volunteers who are actively engaged in writing, recording and operating the remote transmitter. This is truly community radio for and by the community. How you can help: Become a part of the InFARMAtion Radio Team, a volunteer group of dedicated people who are having fun learning about this great valley and sharing what they learn with thousands of traveling motorists each and every day. For a complete description of volunteer opportunities associated with InFARMAtion Radio please go to the Publications page and download “InFARMation Radio.” You can read through the volunteer opportunities for this program, the estimated time requirements for each opportunity, and determine which opportunity is right for you. Thank you for your continued support!

SPF Board Member Dave Hedlin and his family were honored this fall as the 2008 recipient of the Vim Wright Stewardship Award by the non-profit organization Farming & the Environment. Congratulations to Hedlin Family Farms on this outstanding recognition!

http://www.farmingandtheenvironment.org/stewardship/VWSA/Winners/index_html

More than 300 Skagitonians from all over Skagit Valley, Puget Sound and from as far away as California, came to our Diamonds & Denim dinner and auction to help raise more than $147,000 to protect one of the greatest food producing valleys in the world. Even more incredible was the $58,800 raised to permanently protect farmland south of Mount Vernon. And with an anonymous donor agreeing to match this amount, Skagitonians have made a significant contribution to halting sprawl on prime farmland along the I-5 corridor. The SPF Board wants to thank all of our members, sponsors, supporters and volunteers for your generosity and support. Together we will keep Skagit Valley, a regional and national treasure, farming for generations to come. Thank you!

KUOW, the local news public radio station for Seattle, will be featuring local agriculture the week of September 15, 2008 during its Morning Edition and All Things Considered segments. All five segments can be heard on http://www.kuow.org/specials/sweetearth.php Anne Schwarz of Blue Heron Farms is featured on the Farmer - Stewards segment.

Mount Vernon--"Eat the Skagit," a weaner pig to go and grow, a week's getaway to San Jose del Cabo in Baja, and two Eddyline kayaks are just a few of the fabulous items available at Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland’s 10^th Annual Celebrate Skagit Harvest Dinner & Auction , which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 at St. Joseph Center, 215 N. 15^th St., Mount Vernon.  

 The evening of ‘Diamonds & Denim” begins at 5:30 pm with appetizers and champagne, two silent auction, entertainment and chances to stake a claim for a ‘Diamond in the Rough.’ Blue jeans and bling-bling (jewelry) attire is encouraged.

 As the live auction begins at 7 pm, a distinctive 5- course dinner will be served featuring fresh, local foods from the Skagit Valley, prepared by distinguished chefs Thomas Palmer, Palmer’s in La Conner; Martin Hahn, Culinary Arts Program, Skagit Valley College and formerly co-owner of the Black Swan in La Conner; Nicole Holbert, Café Adrift in Anacortes; and Robert Zutter, Star Bar in Anacortes.

 Many local farms, businesses, restaurants and volunteers are contributing to the annual dinner and auction, which celebrates the fall harvest and the bounty of foods from the Skagit Valley. Proceeds benefit Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland.

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Darigold,  Fisher & Sons, Linde Insurance, Puget Sound Energy, Herman Rose, ShoreBank Pacific, Skagit Farmers Supply, Washington State Potato Commission, Frontier Bank, Osborne Seed Company LLC, Peoples Bank, Scholten’s Equipment, Skagit State Bank, Skagit Valley Publishing, Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company, Washington Alder LLC, Washington Bulb, Anacortes Financial Associates, Business Bank of Skagit County, Calico Cupboard, Charlie’s Produce, Farmers Equipment Co., Food Services, Inc., Northwest Farm Credit Services, Pacific Woodtech Corporation, Pat Rimmer’s Les Schwab Tire Centers Burlington, Shell Puget Sound Refinery, Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Smith and Morrison Farms, Windermere Real Estate, Anacortes and Mount Vernon, Aztec Self-Storage, Lervik Engineering.

 Reserved seating is available at $65 per person or $520 for a table of eight. For reservations or more information, call Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, 360-336-3974.

 

Check out the excerpt from goskagit.com's NaturalSkagit blog posted August 27, 2008 or visit the link at http://www.goskagit.com/forums/viewthread/680/

The Local-Organization-You-Might-Want-To-Be-Involved-With this week is the Skagitonians To Preserve Farmland http://www.Skagitonians.org
This local, non-profit, membership-driven outfit (SPF) was founded in 1989 and lots of you sport the bumper sticker …”Pavement is Forever”.  There are over 600 members, a 17 member Board of Directors, and a small staff.  The fundamental mission is to ensure the economic viability of Skagit County agriculture and its required infrastructure through farmland protection, advocacy, research, education and public awareness.  SPF also promotes consumer demand for Skagit Valley products.
Besides the bumper sticker, other widely visible programs include the nifty crop-identity signs along the fields, the InFARMation Radio broadcast you can tune into along I-5 and surrounding areas, and the recent several-month photographic display at the Skagit Historical Museum – the beautiful “Harvesting the Light.”
Farmland Protection and Environmental Stewardship are also significant strategies of the SPF and sometimes result in a hearty tug-of-war!  Successes have often required significant collaboration, negotiation, education, and civic-mindedness.  Many of you have probably already participated in some of these.
The best way to get involved is to spend some time on the website and get a good understanding of this group.  Then join up with a monetary donation and also by paying attention to issues that arise in our NaturalSkagit that affect farmland and farming – take the time to understand all sides and make your opinions heard.  Help where you can.
There is also a volunteer opportunity – the Crop Sign program wants to be expanded and needs folks to pitch in and help with that, maybe help get some signs installed over in the Samish River fields too.  Give them a call at 360 336 3974 and offer to help – a great way to Dig In!

The Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) releases working paper on agricultural lands in Washington State Download and read the working paper from our "Publications" page.

Download SPF comment letter on the "Publications" page

Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) and Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program (FLP) joined forces once again to protect 109 acres of farmland south east of Mount Vernon. The farmland contains two certified development rights totaling $460,000 or $230,000 per development right. In partnering with the Farmland Legacy Program SPF has agreed to pay one-third of the total cost to protect this land with the remaining two-thirds coming from federal grants and the Farmland Legacy Program. SPF’s participation in the purchase of the development rights was made possible by two very generous donations from the Osberg Family Foundation and the Lucky Seven Foundation The Farmland Legacy Program will hold the easement which means SPF will not need to set aside funds for easement monitoring and enforcement. One hundred percent of our donors’ contributions are protecting farmland in perpetuity. SPF believes in the power of partnerships and collaboration and works hard to match our donor’s dollars whenever possible. The partnership with the Farmland Legacy Program has enabled SPF to match our private donors’ support with federal funding, as well as with the funds generated through the County’s conservation futures easement program, which supports the Farmland Legacy Program. This marks the second conservation easement project south of Mount Vernon that SPF and FLP have worked together on this year. SPF first partnered with FLP, the Osberg Family Foundation and the Lucky Seven Foundation to permanently protect 39 acres within the City of Mount Vernon’s proposed commercial expansion area. You can see a map of our recent conservation easements by going to our "Publications" page.

SPF members and supporters Kevin and Daryl Maas are moving forward with plans to construct a manure digester in Skagit Valley. Their project will turn cow manure into electricity to power up to 600 homes. Puget Sound Energy has announced they will buy the power from the Maas brothers once the power plant is operational. Construction is slated to start this fall. SPF is proud to advocate for this green, sustainable alternative energy company that will help Skagit Valley's dairy industry. See the most recent KOMO 4 news clip on our "Publications" page and visit their website at http://www.farmpower.com You can also click on the link on our "Community Partners" page.

Thank you to everyone who wrote their city council representative and packed the hearing room on May 28, and to the 20 well-prepared farmers, residents and others who spoke passionately in opposition to the City's desire to apply to Skagit County for Urban Growth Area expansion on agricultural lands. The City Council voted 6 - 1 to reject the plan for at least a year.

Your voice made the difference, and SPF appreciates your support!

Featuring a unique collaboration between SPF and The Nature Conservancy

http://www.nwcn.com/video/featured-index.html?nvid=240870&shu=1