King County Agriculture CommissionMission StatementThe King County Agriculture Commission, working with citizens, agricultural producers and public officials shall actively influence regional policy to preserve and enhance agricultural land; support and promote a viable agricultural community; and educate the public about the benefits of local agricultural products. The Agriculture Commission gives farmers the opportunity to take an active role in land use decisions and in the development and evaluation of policies, regulations and incentives that can affect commercial agriculture in King County. The Commission consists of 15 members, all appointed by the County Executive. Eight of the commissioners must be producers engaged in the business of producing an agricultural commodity for market in commercial quantities. All members serve three-year terms. The Agriculture Commission represents the diversity of the agricultural economy, various agricultural operations and the regions of King County. The commission includes producers of agricultural commodities as well as persons with demonstrated knowledge, experience and interest in such support activities as agricultural real estate, food and feed processing, wholesale and retail marketing, produce buying, direct marketing, supply and finance. ActivitiesCommissioners meet once a month to discuss issues and make recommendations on issues brought before them by neighbors, landowners, private sector organizations, and staff from the County, Washington State University Extension Service, the County Agriculture Program, and other federal and state agencies. They hold subcommittee meetings and conduct field trips that are open to all interested people. In addition, they are happy to speak about King County agriculture to groups that request them. Draft Restrictive Covenants for Farmlands A subcommittee of the Agriculture Commission and county staff have discussed how to improve the restrictive covenants that are placed on agricultural properties when the County purchases the development rights and places the property under the Farmland Preservation Program. This proposal would not affect any of the properties that are currently under the Farmland Preservation Program, but would apply to any new properties brought into the program. The Farmland Preservation Program began with a $50,000,000 bond in 1979. Since then, more than 13,000 acres of farmland have been preserved in perpetuity for farming. Farmers and others are interested in expanding this program, but since agriculture has changed substantially since the program's inception almost 30 years ago, the original covenants do not always address current conditions. Updating the covenants will help to ensure that the economic viability of farming is maintained for those who volunteer to enter the program.
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