2024 farmer/rancher listening sessions are on the horizon

||| FROM FAITH VAN DE PUTTE for AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE |||

The Agricultural Resource Committee (ARC) of San Juan County is inviting the agricultural community to share their questions, concerns, and ideas related to agricultural economic viability and the local regulatory environment. Farmers, ranchers and value added producers are encouraged to attend these listening sessions to share thoughts and ideas on how we can work together to ensure a robust farming future in our islands. This year, the ARC will be joined by: WSU extension, San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, San Juan Islands Conservation District, San Juan County Conservation Land Bank, San Juan County Department of Community Development, and The Food System Team.

We received feedback after last year that you wanted less reporting from the supporting agencies and more time to talk, so we are changing the format to emphasize hearing your thoughts. The first 1.5-hour of each listening session will consist of a facilitated discussion and an opportunity for written feedback. The last half hour will be an informal time to connect with support agencies and each other.

The insights gathered from these events inform the work of the ARC and multiple support organizations in advocating for policies and in securing grant funding to promote agriculture in San Juan County. Review the report from last year’s Listening Sessions here. For more information contact Faith Van De Putte at faithv@sanjuanco.com.