Land Bank advisory committee seeks community input for Coffelt Farm Preserve

||| FROM KATE MIKULAK for WSU SAN JUAN COUNTY EXTENSION |||

The Conservation Agriculture Resource Team (CART-Coffelt) is holding an online public meeting, on January 14 2021 from 5:30-7pm, to gather input on their draft report of recommendations for future agricultural operations at the Land Bank’s Coffelt Farm Preserve. CART will present an overview of their process, public survey results, and drafted recommendations. A community discussion will follow. To attend the meeting, please register HERE. For those unable to attend, the public may also provide written feedback by January 20 to Charlie Behnke, San Juan County Land Bank Agriculture Program Coordinator.

In August 2019, the San Juan County Land Bank established a working group, the Conservation Agricultural Resource Team (CART), made up of representatives from agriculture related agencies and organizations, and members of the farming community, to provide input on the future of the Coffelt Farm Preserve. The goal of this team is to evaluate future scenarios for the farm, both in terms of the economic viability of the farming operation and the organizational structure needed to manage and operate the farm to meet the Land Bank’s and community’s goals.

Earlier this summer, CART conducted a public survey to better understand community priorities for agricultural activities at Coffelt Farm. Over 400 community members completed the survey and CART utilized this data alongside stakeholder interviews, research, and comprehensive farm assessments to draft their final report.

After the comment period closes on January 20, CART will review the public input and make edits to the draft report of recommendations. The final report will be submitted to the Land Bank in early 2021, which will inform the Land Bank’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for a long-term farm lease.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The draft report will be posted HERE on January 7. Register HERE to join the public input meeting. For more information, questions, or to submit written feedback, contact Charlie Behnke, San Juan County Land Bank Agriculture Program Coordinator, charlieb@sjclandbank.org.