From Allen's Desk

 

Welcome to From Allen’s Desk - a look at what’s happening in the world of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland.

Another year is nearly behind us and as we approach time with family and friends, we are reflecting on the work that your support makes possible.

The past year has presented some interesting challenges to our mission to protect farmland, giving birth to the creation of coalitions, and renewing energy behind our education programs.

Celebrate Skagit 23rd Harvest Auction and Live Broadcast

A very big thank you to everyone who participated in our 23rd Harvest Auction this past fall.

Despite having to transition at the last moment to an online event, we are very pleased to report that with your tremendous support, we raised more than $106, 000 for our work to Keep Skagit Valley Farming!

Water

As part of our participation Washington State Joint Legislative Taskforce on Water in the Skagit, SPF is pleased with the recommendation that the state update a 22-year-old study that provides the framework for evaluating stream flows in the tidally influenced zone of the Skagit River.

The recommendation seeks to take advantage of Best Available Science (BAS) that is better suited to evaluating and modeling the Skagit River in the tidally influenced zone between Skagit Bay and the Mount Vernon measuring gauge. In 1999 the science and modeling tools did not exist to accurately evaluate stream flows in tidal zones.

SPF’s work on the Taskforce is part of a partnership with the Skagit County Drainage and Irrigation Districts Consortium in hosting and facilitating the Skagit Agricultural Water Advisory Group.

This multi-stakeholder agricultural group represents small and large scale agriculture along with irrigation districts to help to bring credible feedback and information on the practices, issues and future water supply needs of agricultural operators, large and small.

You can read the most recent comment letter signed by the Consortium and SPF on October 1, 2021 here.

Agritourism

We are continuing to monitor and track Skagit County’s progress on their Agritourism work plan.

The SPF Board of Directors is continuing to advocate that tourism activities with the agriculturally zoned portions of Skagit County must meet the following five characteristics:

  • Be tied to an existing on-site farming operation

  • Attract members of the public to visit a working farm operation

  • Is not a detriment to surrounding agricultural operations and/or practices

  • Is designed to supplement existing farm income

  • Provide recreation, entertainment, and/or educational experiences to visitors that promotes and enhances Skagit agriculture overall

Fully Contained Communities

Last spring, the Board of Skagit County Commissioners received over 500 public comments objecting to an out-of-town developer's proposal for new, unincorporated cities in Skagit County’s rural areas.

These Fully Contained Communities – or FCCs — are a threat to the valley and to farmland.

Disregarding public opinion, Commissioners authorized the environmental studies necessary to support the developer’s request to allow these new unincorporated cities into our remaining rural areas.

The County is hiring special consultants in early January 2022, using financing by Skagit Partners LLC, to prepare the environmental analysis needed to make a decision on the developer’s request to change Skagit County’s policies and codes.

If the codes are changed, the developer could then re-apply for their project, previously called the Avalon Fully Contained Community.

Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland is part of a growing coalition of citizens, organizations and businesses in opposition to FCCs.

The coalition, called Right Growth Right Place, is focused on identifying more appropriate tools, techniques, and policies to create housing options everyone can afford.

The coalition maintains that we can manage our growth and have vibrant and livable cities, while protecting our working lands (farm and forest) and rural areas so they remain economically viable for generations to come.

In our new video, organic dairy farmer Andrew Dykstra speaks plainly about a proposal to create unincorporated cities called Fully Contained Communities (FCCs) in the rural area of the Skagit Valley. “It’ll be Ag or it’ll be blacktop. So what’s your choice

Watch to hear his take on the impact FCCs would have on farming.

Farm Tours coming back in 2022!

We are excited to share that we have already begun working on our signature farm tours for spring 2022. With the success of the vaccine rollout we are optimistic we will be able to resume the sold-out farm tours for adults.

We will also be adding back physical farm tours for our Youth InFARMmation Program, that focuses on 3rd grade classrooms across Skagit County. The physical tours complement the self-guided and virtual tours we piloted last year.The latter are connected to the new STEM learning kits we provide for classrooms or for use at home. It’s not too late to participate in our 2021 virtual Youth InFARMation farm tour.

Go here to download the workbook, get a list of supplies for each workbook activity, and participate in the virtual tour today!

Thank your for your continued support!

We are grateful for the support of our SPF members and community as a whole as we work together to protect and preserve Skagit farmland and farming—and all that comes with it!

From all of us at SPF, we wish you a merry and safe holiday season.


With Gratitude,

 
From Allen's DeskAllen Rozema