Reports, Presentations and ARC Memos

ARC Code Update Recommendations

The ARC is working on a series of recommendations that aim to reduce regulatory barriers and increase clarity in San Juan County Code that affect agriculture. The memos below have been submitted to Council.

ARC Comp Plan Recommendations

The ARC has been engaged in the Comprehensive Plan Update beginning in 2016 and submitted multiple recommendations addressing the elements that most directly affect agriculture in San Juan County. 

Food System Plan & Community Food Assessment

The Food System Team, an ad hoc committee formed in 2020 performed primary and secondary data collection, research, outreach, and interviews, as well as inviting input and editing by a broad swath of food system stakeholders to create the snapshot in time analysis which was published as the Community Food Assessment.  This work led into further community engagement and the creation of the Food System Plan.  

Grazing at False Bay Preserve

Memo ARC sent to the Conservation Land Bank regarding grazing at False Bay Preserve

San Juan Islands Food System Housing Study

Managed by the San Juan Islands Food System Team in collaboration with the San Juan Islands Makers Guild, under USDA funding provided by the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. Report prepared by Monoghan Consulting. Published October 2022

San Juan County Food Impact Economic Analysis

Prepared in 2022 by the Western Washington Center for Economic and Business Research this study found that every $1,000 worth of  agricultural production in San Juan County generates $1,428 of economic activity.  

San Juan County Local Food Survey

Conducted by the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, Transition Lopez, Agricultural Resources Committee of San Juan County, Orcas Food Cooperative, and San Juan County Washington State University Extension, in partnership with the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center – Washington State University. When looking at the responses to survey questions, we recommend focusing on the frequency and valid percent of responses to best understand the data.

Solar on Farmland: Opportunities and Considerations

The ARC collaborated with the American Farmland Trust to present this talk on agrivoltaics with Chad Higgins from Oregon State University, Dani Madrone from American Farmland Trust and Tessa Ormenyi from Rainshadow Solar & Energy Solutions, Inc.

Measuring and Making Change in Our Local Food System

Presentation for the 2021 SJC Fair  in collaboration with the ARC, Ag Guild, Department of Health and the Food System Team

Agricultural Viability Reports

These surveys are done every three years as part of the Voluntary Stewardship Program.  

The Conservation Land Bank's 2021 Agriculture: Overview, Objectives and Policies

The Land Bank worked hard on creating a document to guide its stewardship of agricultural lands.  

Conservation Agriculture Resource Team Report

This review and analysis of Coffelt Farm was prepared for the San Juan Island's Land Bank

San Juan County Food Hub Feasibility Study

Conducted by the ARC, the Ag Guild, Northwest Agricultural Business Center, Orcas Food Coop and WSU Extension

Growing our Future

2011 Report on Agriculture in San Juan County