jgiuntoli January 5th, 2009
The Farmland Preservation Task Force 2009 Meetings scheduled:
February 4, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Willaby Room
1835 Black Lake Blvd. Suite D
Olympia WA 98512-5623
May 6, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Ellensburg, Washington
Location: TBD
September 2, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Omak, Washington
Location: TBD
December 2, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Spokane, Washington
Location: TBD
admin December 18th, 2008
The October Farmland Preservation Task Force minutes are now available. Topics on the Task Force agenda included a presentation by the Washington State Department of Agriculture on their domestic and international marketing efforts. Other items included discussion on state efforts to enhance agriculture in the State of Washington and discussion on a presentation by WDFW Lands manager Jennifer Quan. For more information or if you have questions, please feel free to contact OFP at 360.407.7474 or via email to jgiuntoli@scc.wa.gov.
Download the approved October meeting minutes here.
jgiuntoli November 14th, 2008
In response to the November 13th stakeholder meetings, Brad Flaherty, Assistant Director of the Department of Revenue, Property Tax Division, issued a MEMO to all County Assessors requesting that they take no enforcement or collection action with respect to the removal or reclassification of property currently in farm and agricultural land until the Department has the opportunity to work through the rule-making process.
DOR Open Space MEMO to County Assessors
jgiuntoli November 14th, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 is continuing a small-grant program in Fiscal Year 2006 to help implement the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and support “transition” efforts by growers.
The RFP is available online here. Approximately $180,000 is available for funding this year. Proposals are due by Close of Business, Friday, January 16, 2009. Decisions will be made by February 20, 2009. Projects must be completed by April 30, 2010.
jgiuntoli November 10th, 2008
Public Meeting Announcement: Important Time Change for Stakeholder Meeting To Review Open Space Taxation Act Definitions (WAC 458-30-200)
apoire November 5th, 2008
The Washington State Office of Farmland Preservation Task Force will hold a public half-day business meeting followed by a full day business meeting on Tuesday December 2 and Wednesday December 3rd, in Wenatchee, Washington. The meeting will be held at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel’s Blossom Harvest Room.
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apoire May 21st, 2008
Representative Joel Kretz has been appointed to the Farmland Preservation Task Force by Frank Chopp, Speaker of the Washington State House Representatives. Representative Kretz replaces Representative Steve Hailey, who had served since the inception of the Task Force.
Representative Kretz is a Republican who represents the 7th Legistlative District, which includes Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, and parts of Okanogan and Spokane Counties.
apoire January 18th, 2008
Eight counties in Washington State will begin or further develop farmland preservation programs this year with grants recently announced by the state’s new Office of Farmland Preservation.
Kittitas, Clark, Clallam, Jefferson, Whatcom, Thurston, San Juan and Klickitat Counties will benefit from the grants, which are for a maximum of $25,000 each. A block grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which is administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office, provided the funding for the grant program.
apoire January 18th, 2008
A Skagit County farmer with a long history of public and industry service has been elected chairman of the Washington State Farmland Preservation Task Force. Bob Hart was elected to the position by his fellow Task Force members at the group’s initial meeting last month.
apoire January 10th, 2008
The Farmland Preservation Task Force has established a meeting schedule for calendar year 2008. The February 2008 meeting place and time are confirmed, Other meetings in 2008 will be held in various regions of the State, and more information about locations and events will be published as they become available, for up to date information on the OFP meeting schedule please check the Meetings and Meeting Materials segment of the OFP website.