County wants to hear ideas on farming’s future

Farming has been an important part of the landscape since King County’s earliest days, and county leaders want to hear ideas from local farmers about ensuring the future of agriculture here.

The public is invited to help shape the future of agriculture in King County by attending any of four meetings, set for early 2009 and sponsored by the King County Agriculture Commission.

The first meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8, 7 p.m., in the Madrona Room of the Carol Edwards Center, 17401 133rd Ave. NE in Woodinville. Subsequent meetings are scheduled for Carnation (Jan. 22), Auburn (Feb. 12) and Enumclaw (March 12).

Meeting participants will be asked to share their opinions on several important questions, including:

• What are you growing or raising and how is it changing?
• What kinds of resources or services do you need to be a successful farmer in the future?
• What are the trends you think are important to the future of farming in this region?
• How can King County nurture and promote the business of farming for the future?
• If you are not a farmer, please share your interest in preserving our agricultural heritage.

Information collected during the public meetings will be used in a report to the King County Council relating to the future of agriculture within the county’s agricultural production districts, plus recommendations for legislation regarding the allowed size of agricultural accessory buildings.

Thoughts on the future of farming can also be shared with King County through a short online questionnaire, which can be accessed through the county’s Water and Land Resources Division Web site, http://www.kingcounty.gov/wlr.

For more information and other ways to share your ideas, contact Steve Evans at 206-296-7824 or steve.evans@kingcounty.gov.

Related Information

Agriculture in King County

Rural services

King County Water and Land Resources Division