Jan. 12, 2005

Purchase of surplus county land to help farmers market, innovative ag projects sprout in Woodinville

King County Executive Ron Sims said today that the sale of roughly 20 acres of surplus property to the Friends of Woodinville Farmers Market, now completed, will help cultivate one of the most innovative community agricultural projects in the region.

"We are thrilled we were able to work with the Friends of Woodinville Farmers Market to make this sale happen," Sims said. "This is land that can only be used for agricultural purposes and I can't think of a better way to support regional family farming or a more appropriate community agricultural project."

Along with providing a permanent location for the Woodinville Farmers Market, the "21 Acres Project" will provide land for local family farmers to lease, community gardens, and a demonstration kitchen for classes in nutrition, said Gretchen Garth, Board President of the Friends of Woodinville Market.

"The goals of Friends are consistent with the county's goals to preserve this land for agricultural purposes," Garth said. "Increased property prices and commercial development of farmable land in our state threaten our food supply and reduce the viability of our small family farmers. We're deeply concerned about helping our farmers build and sustain their livelihoods and believe that a community gathering place like the one we envision will bring people together to address these issues."

As part of the agreement, the Woodinville Farmers' Market has agreed that 17 acres will be entered into the Farmland Preservation Program, which means "the county will still retain development rights on the property to ensure it is preserved as agricultural land forever," Sims said.

The Friends of the Woodinville Farmers' Market will pay the appraised value of $352,000 for three parcels. The county's retention of the development rights is valued at $305,000, and this will allow the property to retain its agricultural nature.

King County originally purchased this property from an estate in 1997 and additional property from the Woodinville Fire District in 1999 to develop soccer fields. Legal actions required the property be used only for agricultural uses rather than active recreational issues, such as the proposed fields.

Garth said Friends' vision for the "21 Acres Project" is to create a vital, open public space where the community can deepen its connection to agriculture and enhance its understanding and appreciation of sustainable living practices.

"The land in Woodinville will house a permanent farmers market that will be constructed with environmental sensitivity," Garth said. "It will also provide acres of rich, productive soil for local family farmers to lease at affordable prices, community gardens, and a demonstration kitchen for classes in nutrition and healthy cooking. We believe there's a great opportunity for us to create an exciting destination site for families on this land - a place where they can connect with the agricultural heritage of the Sammamish Valley and celebrate healthy living practices.

"The completion of the property purchase is so exhilarating because it takes us to the next step in bringing this project to community members," Garth said. "The project is a wonderful example of public-private partnership and we are grateful for King County's role in helping Friends to realize its vision for our community."

For more information about King County Farmlands Preservation Program, visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/lands/farmpp.htm. To learn more about the Friends of Woodinville Farmers Market, click on www.friendsofthemarket.net.