Agritourism One Year On
Whatever option, or perhaps, combination of options the County ultimately chooses, it will have far reaching implications for the long-term viability of Skagit County agriculture.
A year ago, The Dirt addressed the "Current and Evolving World of Agritourism in Skagit County." Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland had previously held a number of forums on the topic, bringing together farmers, business owners, government representatives and others to consider the issue.
Skagit County has used those forums, other community focus groups and surveys, as well as an assessment of the situation here and in similar regions to study their overall approach to agritourism.
From that comprehensive study the County has identified four options for how agritourism might be sanctioned in the future.
Where We Stand
SPF has an abiding interest in the long-term viability of Skagit County agriculture. We recognize that the determination of that viability has changed over the years.
For many farmers, expanding income streams to include some form of agritourism can make the difference between being a successful operation, or not.
The County recognizes five typical types of agritourism activity — direct sales, education, entertainment, outdoor activity, and hospitality.
These activities, however, can differ vastly in size, scale, or connection to the primary agricultural activity of a given site.
It is SPF's position that any type of agritourism must be tied to ongoing farming operations and evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Agritourism activities must be accessory to the primary use of agriculture on the site as evidenced by providing proof of farm income (Schedule F or other).
2. Any proposed tourism-related activity must be evaluated on the following criteria:
a. Must relate to and support the primary use of agriculture on the site,
b. Must not interfere with surrounding farming operations and practices,
c. Will provide experiences to visitors that promote and enhance Skagit agriculture overall, and
d. Will not result in the permanent conversion of farmland.
3. Agritourism permits should be required and issued on the basis of the level of impact to the long-term viability of agriculture, agricultural soils, the environment, and adjacent farming operations. Activities that have the potential to be large in scale and impact should be required to obtain permits subject to review and renewal every three years.
Skagit County's Goals
Skagit County's Department of Planning and Community Development Services has recently published [March 15, 2022] its extensive assessment on agritourism and how it fits in with their clearly-defined goals.
Whatever option the County chooses must be in compliance with the County Comprehensive Plan and the Growth Management Act (GMA) resource land protections. Resource lands are those with long-term commercial significance for, as in this case, agriculture. They are lands which should be retained as working lands.
The County clarifies its agreement that agritourism use "…should have a relationship to onsite agriculture, particularly in zones that are designed to promote long-term commercial agriculture."
They elaborate further, saying, "More intensive permanent agritourism activities should have a close connection to actual ongoing agricultural production on the site of the producer. The primary use of agriculture should be supported by the agritourism use."
What This Means
Agritourism — roadside farm stands, U-pick operations, seasonal festivals such as the Tulip Festival or Festival of Farms, farm-to-table dining, and so on — relate strongly to agricultural activity on the site.
Less clear connections can be drawn from such activities as farm stays, B&Bs or RV camping, and wedding venues.
Such operations, however, can have a very positive effect on the long-term viability of the farmer being able to farm.
The County must juggle it all.
Under Consideration
Skagit County already has a good set of policies and regulations in place, but it recognizes that they don't cover every aspect of agritourism as it is now. To that end, another key County goal is to clearly define specific agritourism uses.
It's not as easy as it sounds.
Take one example: Roadside farm sales can be anything from a small portable kiosk with bouquets of flowers sold on the honor system to year-round sales in a permanent building with gravel or paved parking.
The County concerns itself not just with the concept of roadside farm stands, but the size and scale of the business, the infrastructure and permits needed, and, as always, its relationship to agriculture and the rural character.
That list of issues applies to each and every agritourism use.
Four Options
After their minutely-detailed assessment, the County has set forth four options to deal with agritourism in the foreseeable future.
First, is to stay with the current code, even though, as the County says, "The code's lack of clear definitions and criteria make it challenging to enforce."
Second, Option A: Accessory Agritourism, where there would be targeted changes to use allowances. This option would, "…build on the current code and fit within existing policies," but improve definitions while clarifying regulations.
Third, Option B: Agritourism Overlay, an alternative that, "…would establish an overlay zone including portions of resource and rural zones where additional agritourism activities could be allowed."
This approach would encompass lands under different zones deemed compatible for agritourism and with access to appropriate services.
To qualify for an overlay, the areas in question would have to meet several criteria pertaining to current zones, location along a specific type of road, water system and sufficient distance from other types of land uses.
Fourth, Option C: Rezone Small Scale Recreation and Tourism (SRT), a case-by-case rezone of parcels to what the GMA refers to as a "Limited Area of More Intensive Rural Development." Known as LAMIRD, GMA allows such a designation to support recreational or tourist uses. Cited as examples of this are a resort on Guemes Island and property along SR20 near Rasar State Park.
The Consequences
Whatever option, or perhaps, combination of options the County ultimately chooses, it will have far reaching implications for the long-term viability of Skagit County agriculture.
In a county steeped in crop rotation and crop diversity, what agritourism takes place at an adjacent property might be no problem for a current year, but could prove difficult the next year.
No change to the current system can or will be taken lightly. The County has shown how serious the issue of agritourism is by its work thus far. We applaud their efforts and look forward to continued discussion and engagement for the greater good, and for the greater number.
By Teresa Bennett: info@skagitonians.org