King County wants to hear ideas of farming’s future

Vashon Island agriculture is focus of April 9 meeting

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

Vashon Island residents are invited to a public meeting on April 9 from 7-9 p.m. at the Vashon Courthouse, 19001 Vashon Hwy SW. The meeting, sponsored by the King County Agriculture Commission, will provide Island residents with the opportunity to share their opinions on several important agriculture-related questions, including:

• What are you growing or raising, and have your crops changed over the years?
• 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 farming for the future?

Information collected during the meeting 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.

The April 9 meeting is the last of five public sessions that were scheduled throughout King County, but it’s not the last opportunity for public input on the future of farming. An online survey is also available on the county’s Water and Land Resources Division Web site, http://www.kingcounty.gov/wlr.

For more information, contact Nancy Hutto, chair of the King County Agriculture Commission at 206-949-4550 or Steve Evans at steve.evans@kingcounty.gov.