Farm & Ranch AsssistanceOne of the core services that WICD is proud to provide is support to agricultural producers and rural acreage landowners with conservation planning and technical assistance. Request assistance for a one-on-one consultation, help creating a natural resource plan for your property, or a site visit to address a concern on your land.
Check our Resource Hub for more helpful info! Farming is more than producing a product to sell - creating a compelling story for your farm, building a customer base, and networking with other farmers are all necessary steps to success as well. There are many local organizations and resources available to help you grow your business. Check out Goosefoot, Northwest Agriculture Business Center, WSU Extension - Island County, and Whidbey Island Grown.
Horse & LivestockIt's no small task to care for horses and livestock. Whether they're your passion or your business, you no doubt want to keep them happy and healthy, while optimizing the amount of work and time you spend on their care. WICD is available to help you manage your land and animals with things like: improved chore efficiency, mud & manure management, and pasture management.
Check out the Sound Horsekeeping Video series from Snohomish Conservation District for ideas! Beginning FarmersBeginning farmers are farmers with ten years or less of experience as the principle decision makers on their farm. If you are a new farmer looking for resources, education, community, and land, WICD is here to help!
Land Access & SuccessionThe average age of farmers in the Pacific Northwest is 60 years old - Whidbey Island is no exception. Meanwhile, access to affordable farmland is one of the greatest challenges for new farmers throughout the nation and especially with real estate prices surging.
If you are a farmland owner seeking someone to farm your land, or are considering transferring your land to another farmer, we can help! Contact us to navigate strategies such as conservation easements, land leasing, and creative land tenure opportunities. |
Whidbey Island
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Agriculture in island county code
Note that if your property is located within an Urban Growth Area (UGA), such as a municipality like the City of Oak Harbor, Town of Coupeville, or City of Langley, then you will need to reference the municipal code for that UGA instead of this.
- Island County Zoning (Land Use) Code Chapter 17.03 – Knowing what is and isn't allowed agricultural uses on your property in Island County, and which require permits or not, is an important part of managing your land.
- Starter references in understanding the code:
- User Guide, Definitions, Land Use Standards, Critical Areas, Land Use Tables
- Island County - Critical Areas & Agriculture
- Exhibit B - Agricultural Best Management Practices and Exemptions for RA & CA Zoned Properties with Existing & Ongoing Agriculture
State & Federal Assistance Programs
Natural Resource Conservation Service
United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service is a federal agency with field offices located throughout Washington state to assist in voluntary conservation on rural lands. NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs, the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. Learn more about NRCS Financial Assistance on our Cost Share page
Easement Opportunities for Partners in Rural Communities
Whidbey Island's closest USDA NRCS field office is in Mt. Vernon.
Office Phone: (360) 428-7684
Office Address: 2021 E. College Way, Suite 214, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service is a federal agency with field offices located throughout Washington state to assist in voluntary conservation on rural lands. NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs, the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. Learn more about NRCS Financial Assistance on our Cost Share page
Easement Opportunities for Partners in Rural Communities
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, NRCS helps American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land.
- Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) is to assist landowners, on a voluntary basis, in restoring, enhancing and protecting forestland resources on private lands through easements, 30-year contracts and 10-year cost-share agreements
Whidbey Island's closest USDA NRCS field office is in Mt. Vernon.
Office Phone: (360) 428-7684
Office Address: 2021 E. College Way, Suite 214, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
Farm Service Agency
The Washington State Farm Service Agency serves the agricultural community through 25 county USDA service centers and one state office, located in Spokane. The Washington FSA State Committee and locally-elected county committees provide producer input to federal farm programs. FSA helps to ensure a stable food supply for the nation by supporting American farmers. This is accomplished through the implementation of farm programs authorized by Congress. The programs currently carried out in Washington State are categorized under: Conservation, Disaster Assistance, Price Support, Farm Loans, and Energy Programs. To learn more about the FSA's services, visit the Washington State Farm Service Agency website.
The Washington State Farm Service Agency serves the agricultural community through 25 county USDA service centers and one state office, located in Spokane. The Washington FSA State Committee and locally-elected county committees provide producer input to federal farm programs. FSA helps to ensure a stable food supply for the nation by supporting American farmers. This is accomplished through the implementation of farm programs authorized by Congress. The programs currently carried out in Washington State are categorized under: Conservation, Disaster Assistance, Price Support, Farm Loans, and Energy Programs. To learn more about the FSA's services, visit the Washington State Farm Service Agency website.
County Tax INcentive PRograms
The Open Space Taxation Act, enacted in 1970, allows property owners to have their open space, farm and agricultural, and timber lands valued at their current use rather than at their highest and best use. The Act states that it is in the best interest of the state to maintain, preserve, conserve, and otherwise continue in existence adequate open space lands for the production of food, fiber, and forest crops and to assure the use and enjoyment of natural resources and scenic beauty for the economic and social well-being of the state and its citizens. The Open Space Taxation Act provides three classifications for lands qualifying for current use: open space land, farm and agricultural land, and timber land.
For farm land owners, the "Farm and agricultural land" designation may qualify you to receive a current use valuation of your land, versus your highest and best use valuation.
The Open Space Current Use Ag designation - "farm and agricultural land" - is administered by the Island County Assessor's office. To be eligible for this program, RCW 84.34, there are specific acreage and agricultural income requirements for your land. Check the Island County Assessor Current Use Exemptions page, for more details
Current Use Farm and Agriculture Contact at Island County:
Kristina Mayhew
Current Use Appraiser Interim
Assessor.CurrentUse@islandcountywa.gov
(360) 678-7866
For farm land owners, the "Farm and agricultural land" designation may qualify you to receive a current use valuation of your land, versus your highest and best use valuation.
The Open Space Current Use Ag designation - "farm and agricultural land" - is administered by the Island County Assessor's office. To be eligible for this program, RCW 84.34, there are specific acreage and agricultural income requirements for your land. Check the Island County Assessor Current Use Exemptions page, for more details
Current Use Farm and Agriculture Contact at Island County:
Kristina Mayhew
Current Use Appraiser Interim
Assessor.CurrentUse@islandcountywa.gov
(360) 678-7866
Public Benefit Open Space Rating System
Island County Code Chapter 3.40, in addition to state law, governs the Public Benefits Rating System (PBRS) program in Island County.
To be eligible for PBRS, a property must be at least five (5) acres in size and contain at least one (1) open space resource. If a property includes a residence, a minimum of one (1) acre of the property, inclusive of the home-site, will not be eligible for PBRS enrollment. Read the reference guide below to learn more about open space resources. Unlike the Farm and Agriculture classification administered by the Island County Assessor, there are no income requirements for this program, rather, what open space elements are present on the property contribute to a point value that ultimately leads to a specific reduced valuation if your application is accepted.
Public Benefit Rating System Contact at Island County:
Jonathan Lange
Island County Planning Department Manager
j.lange@islandcountywa.gov
(360) 678-7821
Island County Code Chapter 3.40, in addition to state law, governs the Public Benefits Rating System (PBRS) program in Island County.
To be eligible for PBRS, a property must be at least five (5) acres in size and contain at least one (1) open space resource. If a property includes a residence, a minimum of one (1) acre of the property, inclusive of the home-site, will not be eligible for PBRS enrollment. Read the reference guide below to learn more about open space resources. Unlike the Farm and Agriculture classification administered by the Island County Assessor, there are no income requirements for this program, rather, what open space elements are present on the property contribute to a point value that ultimately leads to a specific reduced valuation if your application is accepted.
Public Benefit Rating System Contact at Island County:
Jonathan Lange
Island County Planning Department Manager
j.lange@islandcountywa.gov
(360) 678-7821
