Category Overview
Farmland Preservation protects valuable farmland and habitat for recreationally important animals, like salmon, birds, deer, and elk. These projects allow families to continue farming the land they have worked on for generations, and provide Washingtonians with healthy local food and a diverse economy. WWRP is the only source of farmland preservation funding in the state budget.
Project Highlights
The proposal is to acquire an agricultural conservation easement on approximately 55 acres of productive farmland within the Useless Bay watershed on Whidbey Island. The property has been utilized for agricultural purposes since 1915, including both crops and pasture. The rotation of crops includes hay, corn, grains, potatoes, and garden crops. If an agricultural conservation easement is not acquired, the property will be sold and developed into up to six homesites. The easement will extinguish all but one development right ensuring that the farmland remains available for both agricultural and wildlife uses. Island County and Whidbey Camano Land Trust will co-hold the easement.