Agricultural Lands Study
Agriculture plays a significant role in the history, culture and economy of Washington State. Conserving agricultural resource lands and maintaining and enhancing the agricultural industry comprise one of the goals of the Growth Management Act (GMA.)  CTED is pleased to present to the Legislature and to the Governor a study conducted by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) of the experience of conserving agricultural lands, Designation of Agricultural Lands in Chelan, King, Lewis, and Yakima Counties.
 
CTED was charged by the 2004 Legislature in Senate Bill 6488 to conduct a study of the designation of agricultural lands with long-term commercial significance in four counties (King, Chelan, Lewis, and Yakima.)  The study is due to the Legislature on December 1, 2004.  Study topics include:
  • Data:  Acres designated agriculture, acres in agriculture operations, changes in agricultural land since 1990, and acres of land in other uses.
  • Designation standards and procedures.
  • Effect of designation on tax revenue.
  • Contribution of agriculture to the local economy.
  • Threats to maintaining the agriculture land base.
  • Measures local governments should adopt to maintain the agricultural land base and enhance the agricultural industry.
CTED worked with five advisory committees, consulted people in the agriculture community, and reviewed reports and studies related to agriculture to develop the information and recommendations included in this report.  

The study finds that designation of agriculture land under the GMA plays a significant role in the conservation of this land.  Land that is designated agriculture cannot be converted to intense, non-agriculture uses such as subdivisions or commercial development.  However, the designation of agriculture lands does not ensure the viability of the agricultural industry.  Almost 60% of farms in Washington suffered losses in 2002. 
 
As directed, the study identifies threats to maintaining the agriculture land base and measures local (and state) governments should adopt to maintain the agricultural land base and enhance the agricultural industry.  The suggested measures generally include financial support to farmers and the agriculture industry, program support for expanded marketing efforts, and assistance in responding to the changing agriculture marketplace.  Planning and regulatory measures address right-to-farm laws, transfer of development rights, and accessory uses.  Some of the measures, such as reducing development pressure on agricultural land by actively promoting that most new development occur within urban growth areas, require no further study or authority for local governments to implement.  Others need further evaluation.  Recommendations for further study are included. 
 
Thank you for your interest in agricultural lands issues and their importance to the state. 
 
Please contact Leonard Bauer at (360) 725-3055 if you have any questions. 

Advisory Committee

  • Eric Hurlburt (Washington State Department of Agriculture)
  • Genevieve Pisarski (Senate Land Use Committee)
  • Mary Embleton (Cascade Harvest Coalition)
  • Jim Lowry (Rural Development Council)
  • Dan Wood (Washington State Farm Bureau)
  • Bryan Wahl (Association of Realtors)
  • Don Stuart (American Farmland Trust)
  • Tim Trohimovich (1000 Friends of Washington)
  • Mark Clark (Washington Conservation Commission)
  • Scott Merriman (Washington State Association of Counties)
  • Eric Johnson (Lewis County Commissioner)
  • Larry Stout (Association of Washington Realtors)
  • Stu Trefry (Washington Conservation Commission)

Contributing Information

  • NW Food Processors
  • Dept. of Revenue
  • WSDA
  • USDA
  • WSU Extension
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Employment Security
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