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.

Check out our Ag Community page for marketing and networking resources. 

Technical Assistance & Farm Plans

If you'd like to find farmland to farm on Whidbey Island, create a farm plan for your property, begin the farmland succession process, or address a resource concern on your land, please contact our office at (888) 678-4922 or fill out the form below to get started.

Ready to get started?

WICD's Natural Resource Planners provide no-cost technical assistance for all Whidbey Island residents and landowners.
Do you need assistance on your property with a natural resource challenge or goal?
Check out our list of services below to find the best fit, and request assisting by clicking the button below.

Beginning Farmer Resources

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

Starting a Farm

Acquiring Land to Farm

  • ​​​​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.
Next Board Meeting:
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
9am - 12pm
This board meeting will be held online - Zoom. Please contact us if you'd like to attend and we will send you the remote meeting information.

Board Monthly Meeting Details:
  • Board meetings are held online via Zoom
  • Board meetings are open to the public
  • Past meeting minutes & agendas can be found here.
Connect with Us
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8am- 4:30pm
Our office is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 health precautions.
(mailing) PO Box 490
(office location) 1 NE 4th Street
Coupeville, WA 98239
360-678-4708 |  888-678-4922