NEXT MEETING
The next ARC meeting will be held on Monday, November 24, 2008 from noon - 2 PM in the Large Legislative Room at 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor.
ARC UPDATES
  • ARC 2008 Newsletter
    • PDF
  • Land Bank Requests Farm Lease Proposals
    The San Juan County Land Bank is requesting proposals from anyone interested in a long-term agricultural lease of its King Sisters Property. Acquired from the King family in 2005, the land includes about 40 acres of farmland in addition to woodlands and wetlands. A well and perimeter fencing will be included in the lease. The Land Bank worked closely with members of the Agricultural Resources Committee, a county advisory group, in developing this opportunity.
    In its management plan for the King Sisters Property, the Land Bank notes “there is keen local interest in keeping small-scale family farming alive in the San Juan Islands. The Land Bank desires to contribute to this effort, and enable continuing agricultural use of the King Sisters Property.” A public walking trail situated between San Juan Valley Road and the farmland’s perimeter fence is also a priority.
    Lease application packets and more information are available from the Land Bank at 378-4402. Applications are due by December 19th.
  • San Juan County Food Producer Survey (Click Here for Survey)
    SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED! PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR SURVEY ASAP!
    Four local and regional agricultural organizations have collaborated to develop the San Juan County Food Producer Survey. The Agricultural Resources Committee of SJC (ARC), the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild (Ag Guild), Washington State University Extension in San Juan County (WSU Extension SJC), and the Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC) are each working to gather information on local food production for the purpose of strengthening local agriculture. The results of this survey will help:
    • The ARC collect data for a countywide Foodshed Map that will include all acreage in active agricultural use, farm and garden locations, and the food produced
    • The Ag Guild's planning and development of a multi-use agricultural facility onSan Juan Island with phase one of the project being a Permanent Farmers' Market (PFM), and, in addition, plans for a farm-to-school project
    • WSU Extension SJC's work with other county Extension offices around the state to determine local, regional, and statewide food production capacity and to promote local agriculture as a means of feeding local populations and promoting economic development
    • The NABC's survey of food producers throughout the 12-county Puget Sound, and their assessment of the feasibility of and demand for a regional processing center
    For this information to make sense, it needs to be as complete as possible. This is where we need your help. Click on one of the links above to download a questionairre. Please fill this out and mail it back to us. It's simple, and it's quick. The locations of the farm or garden would be extremely helpful in considering new ideas (example: Could Roche Harbor, Islandale, or Olga support a farmers market?). But this information will be used as a whole or average. Above all, we respect your privacy.
    You may return the completed survey:
    • Mail to Ag Guild, PO Box 1945, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
    • Via email to Lovel Pratt, Ag Guild PFM Project Director at lovel@rockisland.com
    • Take to the Conservation District office, 540 Guard Street, Suite 150 in Friday Harbor
    If you prefer you can complete your survey by calling the Conservation District office at 378-6621 and giving your answers over the phone or making arrangements for a personal visit to your farm from a representative of one of our organizations, and we’ll note your survey responses for you. We really do want to hear from you!
    Please return your completed questionnaire by August 18! If there is some information you prefer not to share, feel free to skip those questions. We would rather receive an incomplete response from you than no response at all. Please know that ALL SURVEY RESPONSES WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.
  • Public Workshops. The ARC held four public workshops concerned with aspects of farmland preservation in March and April, presenting a variety of speakers and topics. The following are brief descriptions of what was discussed:
      - Sustainable Farming and Farmland Preservation (PDF)
      - Partnerships in Saving Farmland (PDF)
      - Appraisals and Open Space Taxation (PDF)
      - Inheritance Laws and Conservation Easements (PDF)
  • The new San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is working on how to set up a permanent farmers' market. Contact Lovel Pratt at info@sjiagguild.com for more information on this project.
  • Sustainable Farming and Farmland Preservation (PDF)
  • Farmland Preservation 101 (PDF)
  • Saving the Farm Without Breaking the Bank (PDF)
  • Open Space Farm & Agricultural Land - Property Tax Relief Program, October, 2007 (PDF)
  • ARC Newsletter - August, 2007 (PDF)
  • Farm Worker Housing Assistance Opportunity (PDF)
  • Dog Ordinance 19-2006
    With recommendations from the ARC, the County Council amended Chapter 6.08 of the San Juan County Code regarding the Regulation of Dogs and Other Animals. The new code increases the penalty on dog owners whose animal, while at large, has chased, bitten or injured another animal. Click here for the amended code, which includes a new schedule of compensation amounts.
  • ARC Stands Up for Farmers (editorial)
    Member voices her support for Islands agriculture and the work of the ARC. This letter was published in the San Juan Journal, The Sounder and on-line.
  • FARMLAND PRESERVATION: ARC No Net Loss Resolution
    The ARC endorses a policy of "No Net Loss" agricultural land policy in Resolution 2006-01. In it, the ARC proposes that "...no Agricultural Resources Land should be redesignated unless effective, equivalent mitigation -- that assures no net loss in total Agricultural Resource Land -- is required as a condition of any such redesignation," and recommends the San Juan County Code be amended to include similar language. For more information on the resolution, click on this link or go to ARC Minutes June and September 2006.
  • Farmers Make Ag Priorities Clear: 2006 Farm Survey Results. ARC's Farm Producer Survey has just been released.
  • Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)
    Click here to get the latest information on the first two draft sections of the County's Critical Areas Ordinance. Feedback from the agricultural community is encouraged now. For more information, or to provide comments or information, contact Shireene Hale, CD&P, 360.370.7569 or shireeneh@co.san-juan.wa.us.