Steps listed to aid farms

It’s time to get growing. Not just peas and beans, but the bottom line as well.

That was the message to farmers Thursday as Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon unveiled his agriculture action plan, the latest step to improve the county’s struggling agricultural economy.

Reardon vowed to create a detailed program by May 1 that would show how the ideas in the plan could be implemented.

Those ideas include forming an advisory group to propose recovery and expansion strategies for farms, recruiting processing businesses for the county’s meat and food products, developing a marketing plan for local farm products and creating a special-events team to promote agricultural tourism.

Public appreciation for farmers would be strengthened by starting a media relations program, developing a roadside sign program and holding a series of workshops on farming issues. The plan also suggests creating a year-round public market for farmers, similar to Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Reardon signed an executive order to move ahead on some parts of the plan, including creating a new agriculture permit assistance center where farmers could get help working their way through the county’s permit process.

Still, one of the biggest threats to farming in the county – the rezoning of prime farmland to allow businesses and homes – isn’t mentioned in the action plan.

Snohomish County has been buffeted by recent court battles over the development of farmland. The most controversial has been car dealer Dwayne Lane’s attempt to have Island Crossing annexed into Arlington so he can build a car dealership adjacent to I-5.

Although the plan does mention that pressure exists to develop farmland for suburban and urban uses, the plan says the best way to save agricultural land is by making farming more profitable.

County officials say there has been a 26 percent loss of farmland in the county in the past 20 years, and the county has lost about 500 acres of farmland a year since the Growth Management Act was passed in the early 1990s. There are now 69,000 acres of agricultural land in the county.

The plan doesn’t detail how to save farmland, nor does it promote a zero net loss of agricultural lands.

Reardon said that’s not a flaw in the plan. Policies to conserve farmland will be evaluated as the county updates its 20-year growth plan, he said. He added that the county also has considered a policy to stop the loss of designated farmland to development.

Reardon presented the plan at a news conference at Twin City Foods in Stanwood, a frozen pea and cut corn producer that will celebrate its 60th year in business next year.

Farmers there praised Reardon and the county government for the newfound focus on agriculture.

Councilman John Koster, a former dairy farmer, has been the driving force behind a new program to transfer development rights to conserve farmland while giving developers the chance to build more homes in urban areas.

“I think this renewed joint focus on agriculture is going to be good for ag in the future,” Koster said.

The agriculture plan is just one more step to help farmers, he said. “There’s lots of work to do. We’ll roll up our sleeves and do our very best.”

Reporter Brian Kelly: 425-339-3422 or kelly@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

An example of the Malicious Women Co. products (left) vs. the Malicious Mermaid's products (right). (U.S. District Court in Florida)
Judge: Cheeky candle copycat must pay Snohomish company over $800K

The owner of the Malicious Women Co. doesn’t expect to receive any money from the Malicious Mermaid, a Florida-based copycat.

A grave marker for Blaze the horse. (Photo provided)
After Darrington woman’s horse died, she didn’t know what to do

Sidney Montooth boarded her horse Blaze. When he died, she was “a wreck” — and at a loss as to what to do with his remains.

A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)
Driver sentenced in 2021 crash that killed Everett couple

Danielle Cruz, formerly of Lynnwood, gets 17½ years in prison. She was impaired by drugs when she caused the crash that killed Sharon Gamble and Kenneth Weikle.

A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett Clinic changing name to parent company Optum in 2024

The parent company says the name change will not affect quality of care for patients in Snohomish County.

Tirhas Tesfatsion (GoFundMe) 20210727
Lynnwood settles for $1.7 million after 2021 suicide at city jail

Jail staff reportedly committed 16 safety check violations before they found Tirhas Tesfatsion, 47, unresponsive in her cell.

A person walks in the rain at the Port of Everett in Everett, Washington on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
First heavy rain event predicted Sunday night for Snohomish County

Starting Sunday evening, 1 to 1½ inches of rain is expected in western Washington. It marks the end of fire season, meteorologists said.

Clinton man, 61, dies in motorcycle crash Friday

Washington State Patrol lists speed as the cause. No other people or vehicles were involved.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Lake Stevens in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Separate road rage incident ends with fatal shooting in Lake Stevens

A man, 41, died at the scene in the 15300 block of 84th Street NE. No arrests have been made.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement partners advise the public of of colorful fentanyl.  (Photo provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration)
After rainbow fentanyl pills found in Tulalip, police sound alarms

Investigators are concerned the pastel-colored pills may end up in the hands of children.

Most Read