Jefferson County and Jefferson Land Trust are applying for grant funds to purchase a conservation easement on the 50 acre Brown Dairy, located at the Chimacum crossroads. The Brown Dairy is a critically important signature farm in the fertile Center Valley, located adjacent to Glendale Farm. The Brown Dairy has been a working farm since the 1850's and has a long history of dairy production. The milking facility has been idle for four years after several losses in the family, and a portion of the farm has already been sold off. This area is agriculturally zoned, though proximity to the commercial Chimacum intersection is a potential future threat from commercial and residential creep. Local organizations have been negotiating with the landowners for long term preservation of this highly visible, cornerstone property. Jefferson Land Trust is negotiating an option agreement to purchase the property, and is working with the local Mt. Townsend Creamery for eventual purchase after an easement has reduced the market value of the property. The creamery produces regionally recognized cheeses and is interested in operating its own milking facility and milking herd. The Brown Dairy includes three platted parcels, the historic farmhouse, barns and milking facility, nearly 45 acres of prime pastureland and approximately 2000 ft of mainstem Chimacum Creek running through the property. Protection of this historically significant farm will add to the viability of Chimacum crossroads as a hub of our local agriculture community.