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
Jefferson Land Trust is applying for grant funds to purchase conservation easements on two adjacent farms — Humbleberry Farm and Schmidt Farms–located in Jefferson County,. The purpose of these acquisitions is to permanently preserve the prime agricultural soils on two adjacent historical working farms located at the head of Quilcene Bay by preventing subdivision and eliminating the estimated four remaining development rights. Conservation values include Farmland of Statewide Importance and Prime Agricultural soils; Donovan Creek and Jakeway Creek riparian and salmonid spawning habitat and natural wetlands; agricultural infrastructure and market accessibility; and scenic open space. The farms are located approximately 1 mile to the NE of the town of Quilcene and are adjacent to other permanently protected fish habitat, farmland and working forestland properties. The easements will help permanently preserve approximately 115-acres of working farmland, 2,000 feet Jakeway Creek, and approximately 650 feet of Donovan Creek. This allows for future restoration and enhancement activities on Donovan and Jakeway Creeks with project partners including the Jefferson County Conservation District and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group. Jefferson Land Trust aims to protect these historical working farms, threatened salmonid spawning habitat, and open space values through conservation easements funded by RCO, Jefferson County Conservation Futures funds, and the Navy REPI program.