King County Agriculture Commission's Workplan

Agriculture Commission Priorities for 2007

Marketing

• Increase support to farm stands
• Develop and present slide show about agriculture in King County

Washington Farm Link

• Work with Cascade Harvest Coalition to identify models to strengthen the program

Meat/Poultry Production

• Processing capacity
• Meat inspection fees

Conditional Use Permit

• Develop strategy to reduce cost of permit

Farm Worker Housing

• Full Time
• Temporary

Health Department Issues

• Raw milk
• Food wastes and septic systems
• Permitting food demonstrations at events

Develop long term vision of agriculture to help guide programming for the next 10-20 years, including

Economic Statistics/Trends: Market Economics, Exports

• Status of equestrian industry
• Affordability of farmland
• Status of biodiesel

Evaluate water availability as it impacts farming activities

• Water supply plan
• Reclaimed water
• Ponds
• Exempt wells
• Diversify Hmong crops related to water

Revise Farmland Preservation Program Covenants County Wide Flood Prevention/Response/Recovery

• Critter Pads
• Flood Warning to Hmong Farmers
• Relief fund
• Living with alluvial fans
• Best Management Practices for the Flood Plain
• Recovery of septic systems in Flood Plains
• Farmer proposal for long term ag/flood protection

For questions about the King County Agriculture Commission, please contact Claire Dyckman.