— from Coffelt Farm Stewards —
Dear Members of our Community,
The Coffelt Farm Stewards, staff, and volunteers thank you for your support of our efforts to remain a viable organization.
The arrangement of the Coffelt Farm Stewards operating on county owned property is complex and layered.
At yesterday’s Land Bank Meeting, the Land Bank Commissioner’s voted unanimously, declining to fund the infrastructure and housing needs we require to continue.
We will begin dismantling the farm operations immediately, asking for your patience and support with this sad task. The farm stand hours may vary from normal. Please know we are doing our best as we move forward.
Again, our deepest gratitude for your support. It has been our privilege to provide education, outreach and healthy food for our community.
Your support, along with over 950 citizens and 30 farms, has been heartwarming to all of us.
There are few things in life that make me wish I were rich. This is one!
There’s foolishness here.
Coffelt Farm Stewards (CFS) couldn’t make a commercial success of their farm? I wonder why. There are other successful farms nearby.
Maybe it was because they insisted upon building a palatial “farm stand” which required all-day staffing.
Maybe it was because they couldn’t figure out how to economically house their workers.
Maybe it was something else. But I don’t think so.
So CFS sent the Land Bank an ultimatum of sorts: Give us money, or we’ll close down.
The Land Bank wisely refused.
So CFS is closing down.
But CFS could’ve asked the Bullock farm for advice, since the Bullock farm seems to be profitable, and seems to have a good model for housing workers.
Did CFS do that? I wonder. I’d like to know.
I suggest that CFS could stay in business if they would modify their business model a little.
If customers are told about it, the farm stand needs only be open in the late afternoon and early evening, and not all day long.
There exist alternative schemes for housing workers, and the first which springs to mind is to buy cheap, used travel trailers and to install only septic and water systems.
I think that CFS should not just give up and throw in the towel. I suggest that they need to stop and think, first.
Steve, CFS does not own this land that it operates on. The problem is infrastructure that exists on the land or does not exist at all. The land is owned by the county. Just as if you were to rent a house, it is not your responsibility to repair the roof or fix the leaky plumbing. The farm itself has been operating in the black. The farmstand is staffed by volunteers. This problem is much more complicated and layered.
If the land belongs to the County, what is there to “dismantle”? Who owns the animal stock and farm equipment? Shouldn’t the County put out an RFP for new farmers?
CFS owns the animals and the equipment. The county owns the land, buildings and infrastructure.
So, the Land Bank is showing a balance of ~ $9 million. Instead of buying up parcels, why not do some work on Coffelt Farm? Has the Land Bank involved residents in determining its priorities lately?
Peg Manning, I assume the Land Bank Commission will eventually put out an RFP for a new farmer(s), but what’s needed now is a consultant to help us figure out what will work economically and organizationally, for the farm and for the community. The consultant study should involve the community directly.
Your statements about the budget are incorrect, since most of that money is committed to current and future land preservation acquisitions and to stewarding existing preserves, while maintaining a responsible reserve fund. Residents are always welcome to attend and comment at monthly Land Bank Commission meetings, as I’m sure you know.
To Peg Manning, thanks for your comment. The Land Bank remains committed to Coffelt Farm and, in fact, will be investing in infrastructure improvements in addition to those we’ve already done. However, the Commission had many questions about Coffelt Farm Stewards’ proposal and wanted to proceed carefully as it has an obligation to spend public monies wisely. Instead, they were asked to take an up or down vote on the entire package. The Land Bank will be considering its options on the farm and invites public participation in this process. To be on the email update list please contact Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org Additionally, the Commission holds monthly public meetings to which everyone is welcome. The next Orcas meeting will be Friday June 21st at the Firehall. Land Bank Commissioners and staff are also happy to respond to questions or ideas. Your Orcas Commissioners are: Brian Wiese, brian_wiese@outlook.com and Sandi Friel, sandi@rockisland.com. Peter Guillozet, Orcas Preserve Steward, can be reached at peterg@sjclandbank.org. For further information, call our office or visit the Land Bank website http://www.sjclandbank.org
Lincoln Bormann
Director, SJC Land Bank
lincoln@sjclandbank.org
360-378-4402
The word is that the Land Bank Commission was angry at CFS for going public about their monetary need, and the upcoming vote. May I remind the Land Bank that it is a public entity, and the public has every right to know what is going on, and to be called on for support. Also, in the Land Bank’s article on this matter, they stated that “The Land Bank’s letter of intent and invitation for further discussions of options went unanswered by CFS”.
This appears to be untrue, as we were told that a farm tour was conducted with Land Bank Staff in response to their written request. Because CFS did not hold an “official” in-writing reply, they are smeared, and accused of negligence. The more you dig into this, the more shady the Land Bank Commission seems to appear. I find their article an obvious smear to lay the blame of the farm closing at the feet of CFS. I think that the truth is probably quite different.
I feel sad over this big loss for our community. It seems so sudden to this outsider, who now wishes I had visited Coffelt Farm a lot in its tenure. I’m sorry to see it go.