Part of the origin from this issue is that the population is growing with
people from urban California and suburban Seattle. Some think farms are
pretty, quaint, things that smell sweet and farmers are "custodians of the
land."(does this mean we take out the trash?). Others see this area as a
suburb of Seattle with culdesacs and like it. Others remember the farms and
forests that used to be here and helped maintain the ecosystem not that long
ago. All homes here are dependent on island well water and most have their
own drainfields. Tax levies are passed to purchase open space/green areas
for preservation. We farmers are trying to explain that farms are open
space/green areas that feed you and contribute to the econmic base of the
community. One of the difficult part in arguing this is that farm size
ranges from 2 - 20 acres with the median being 5 acres so individually we
have very little impact and we tend to by nature be an independent slightly
indignant group that doesn't contribute to public policy making.
An example of potential public sentiment about this is when a new resident
came complaining to the committee about a farm stand next door to her. She
didn't like the traffic that went up their driveway near her house and gosh
darn it she bought her 6 acres at top dollar and doesn't want to live next to
a retail establishment. We explained that agriculture is a preferred use in
residential zones and this includes farm stands. She replied with distaste
"you mean all these beautiful homes could be dotted with farmstands?" Yep.
She was disgusted and left to continue her complaint process.
Now we also know she cut down all the vegetation that was a buffer between
the properties including a 100 year old apple tree.
We had a mediator meet with the farmers to what they want and need to
survive. It was a bust perhaps because of the skills of mediator.
Would you suggest a limit on sales of directly related adjunct merchandise?
Would a limit prevent a retail store from popping up in residential zones?
or be unnecessary regulation.
The biggest issue with us is permitting sales of produce from off the island.
One farmer imports apples to press cider (a main product from his
farmstand). Apples grow well here but this farmer doesn't want to wait
until his trees are in production. Some think this in inappropriate, others
think it doesn't matter. One farmer imports strawberries and corn in a very
visible farmstand. The customer perceives these products as local. The
quality is inferior to local produce so customers think all local produce
tastes bad. I have a hard time selling my local corn to anyone who has
bought the perceived local corn.
We are addressing the labeling aspect of this problem but I am not sure the
customer will notice a label.
The other issue we have to define is that of a nursery being a farm. Is
there a distinction? Are bedding plants, produce starts, Rhodies in pots...
farm products to be sold at road side stand with no produce? And what about
green house operations? Do green houses contribute to that openspace/ green
space concept? Perhaps they do if used as season extenders where plants are
planted directly into the ground. But what about the concrete floor, heated,
lighted 3500 square foot one that the neighbors don't like in their quiet
forested neighborhood?
The fear from the farmers is that if the ordinance does not address issues
completely, a political shift in the government could alter the
interpretation of the law and eliminate farmstands in residential zones in
the future as the population becomes more dense thus putting farms out of
business.
Surely others must have similar problems. Thanks.
Suzy