Beginning Farmer Resources

Part of our mission at the conservation district is to support and preserve working farmland on our island. The average age of farmers in the Pacific Northwest is 58 years old, and Whidbey Island is no exception. Now, more than ever before, we need to help the next generation of farmers access affordable and fertile farmland in order to keep our farmland in production and our food local. 

​Beginning farmers are farmers with ten years or less of experience as the principle decision makers on their farm. If you are a beginning farmer, or a new farmer looking for resources and land, or an island farmer ready to begin succession planning, WICD is here to help!

We have resources on accessing farmland, planning your farm's succession, funding your farm, and connecting with other organizations that assist farmers.

Visit our Farm & Ag page for technical resources as well as information about farm plans and financial assistance through the conservation district.

Visit our Horsekeeping & Livestock page for livestock-specific technical guidance publications and recommendations.

Check out our Ag Community page for marketing and networking resources, and to connect with other new and experienced farmers through our Whidbey Island Growers Association potluck group.. 

Technical Assistance & Farm Plans

If you'd like our staff to assist you to find farmland to farm on Whidbey Island, create a farm natural resource plan for your property, begin the farmland succession process, or address a resource concern on your land, use the request assistance form below.

Business Planning Tools 

​If you are looking for resources in developing a farm business plan (which is different than a farm natural resource plan), check out the following resources:
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One Willow Farm at Greenbank Farm

Beginning Farmer Resources

Click a Tab Below for More Resources:
​Farmland access resources

Starting a Farm

Acquiring Land to Farm

  • Farm to Farmer (WA Farmland Trust)
  • ​​​​Acquiring Land to Farm Guide (Land for Good)
  • ​How to Present Yourself to a Landowner (California FarmLink)
  • Acquiring Your Farm (Land for Good): a free, online tutorial for aspiring, new, and beginning farmers - and others - preparing to access farmland. AYF contains lessons organized around seven topics and designed to provide a thorough introduction to the complex issues of farmland access and tenure. The only tutorial includes sessions on 1) Farmland Tenure Basics; 2) Financial Assessment; 3) Owning Farmland; 4) Finding Farmland; 5) Leasing Farmland; 6) Communications & Negotiation; and 7) Community Partners.​​

Leasing Land to Farm

Farmland succession & transfer resources

Farm Succession & Transfer 

​Strategies

Farmland Conservation

Working with Land Trusts

Many land trusts throughout the country have protected farmland through 1) direct acquisition for future lease to a farmer; 2) purchase then protection through a conservation easement, then resale; and 3) simultaneous purchase together with a farmer, including protection through a conservation easement. Conservation easements may specifically address future farming, or be more general. However, recent studies have shown that agricultural conservation easements do not necessarily ensure that the land is available for future farming.
Funding resources
top resource organizations

Top Resource Organizations

The following is a list of organizations that offer workshops, resources, and other support for new farmers and farmland owners seeking to transfer their farms. This is not a comprehensive list, as there are many other organizations dedicated tot he goal of sustainable farming, including connecting new farmers to farmland. 

Training Programs for New

Farmers

Although this list is not exhaustive, several in-person and online training schools for beginning farmers are offered both locally, regionally, and nationally. Consider checking out the following, and searching online for the resources that fit your needs best.
Office Hours:
COVID-19 Response: Our office is currently closed to visitors, and our staff is primarily working remotely. 
Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Coupeville, WA
Office Location: 1 NE 4th Street, Coupeville, WA
Office Phone: 360-678-4708
General Email: wicd[at]whidbeycd.org
Next Monthly Board Meeting:
Regular Board Meeting:
​Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 9am - Noon
Contact us for remote meeting information.