NEXT MEETING
The next ARC meeting will be held on Monday, September 22, time and place to be announced in August. The ARC does not meet during the summer. However, you can contact the committee at arc@sanjuanislandscd.org.
ARC UPDATES
  • Public Workshops. The ARC held four public workshops concerned with aspects of farmland preservation in March and April, presenting a variety of speakers and topics. The following are brief descriptions of what was discussed:
      - Sustainable Farming and Farmland Preservation (PDF)
      - Partnerships in Saving Farmland (PDF)
      - Appraisals and Open Space Taxation (PDF)
      - Inheritance Laws and Conservation Easements (PDF)
  • The new San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is working on how to set up a permanent farmers' market. Contact Lovel Pratt at info@sjiagguild.com for more information on this project.
  • The ARC Enterprise Budget Task Force is hosting a meeting on Grain Production in the Islands on Thursday, April 10, 2008 from 12-2 PM. For more information, call Eliza at 378-6621.
  • Sustainable Farming and Farmland Preservation (PDF)
  • Farmland Preservation 101 (PDF)
  • Saving the Farm Without Breaking the Bank (PDF)
  • Open Space Farm & Agricultural Land - Property Tax Relief Program, October, 2007 (PDF)
  • ARC Newsletter - August, 2007 (PDF)
  • Local restaurants use local farm products
    New ARC program - Islands Certified Local - promotes local food establishments that use local farm products. Click on ICL Program on the menu to learn more.
  • Farm Worker Housing Assistance Opportunity (PDF)
  • Protect Our Island Community - Prevent Dog Attacks on Livestock (editorial)
    Member voices his concern for livestock safety and informs public about the new dog ordinance 19-2006.
  • Dog Ordinance 19-2006
    With recommendations from the ARC, the County Council amended Chapter 6.08 of the San Juan County Code regarding the Regulation of Dogs and Other Animals. The new code increases the penalty on dog owners whose animal, while at large, has chased, bitten or injured another animal. Click here for the amended code, which includes a new schedule of compensation amounts.
  • ARC Stands Up for Farmers (editorial)
    Member voices her support for Islands agriculture and the work of the ARC. This letter was published in the San Juan Journal, The Sounder and on-line.
  • FARMLAND PRESERVATION: ARC No Net Loss Resolution
    The ARC endorses a policy of "No Net Loss" agricultural land policy in Resolution 2006-01. In it, the ARC proposes that "...no Agricultural Resources Land should be redesignated unless effective, equivalent mitigation -- that assures no net loss in total Agricultural Resource Land -- is required as a condition of any such redesignation," and recommends the San Juan County Code be amended to include similar language. For more information on the resolution, click on this link or go to ARC Minutes June and September 2006.
  • Farmers Make Ag Priorities Clear: 2006 Farm Survey Results. ARC's Farm Producer Survey has just been released.
  • Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)
    Click here to get the latest information on the first two draft sections of the County's Critical Areas Ordinance. Feedback from the agricultural community is encouraged now. For more information, or to provide comments or information, contact Shireene Hale, CD&P, 360.370.7569 or shireeneh@co.san-juan.wa.us.