A Feasibility Study for Urban Edge Agricultural Parks - SAGE

King County FarmlandPreservation Program (FFP)This model is an outcome of the unique state laws in Washington, which requiregrowth management and preservation of agricultural and open spaces near urbancenters.Background and PurposeLocated in King County, WA (the Seattlemetropolitan region), the Farmland PreservationProgram (FPP) involves purchase of developmentrights through easements, held in perpetuity bythe County using proceeds from a $50 millionbond issued in 1979.In most cases, the existing owner retains title tothe land under the FPP, although County titlepurchase is allowed in cases where an easement is not practical. In some of theseland purchase cases, the County leases it short-term to the Indochinese FarmProject to provide increased land access to farmers with limited resources. TheCounty may only own agricultural properties for up to five years, and must sell theland to a farmer or farming collaborative with the highest bid, with easementsplaced to ensure preservation. The discouragement of public property ownership isembedded in the bond structure that created the Program.King County administers the program and holds the easements in trust under theirown management.LandTo date, approximately 12,800 acres have been conserved by easement,representing about 19 percent of the 66,000 acres in agricultural production in theCounty. Currently, only 81 acres in the program are owned by the County.There are 230 farmers covered by the easement program, and 25 additionalfarmers served by the Indochinese Farm Project.FPP easements are located on land throughout the King County area, surroundingmetropolitan Seattle. Since the best soils are proximate to Seattle, these lands arepursued by FPP, despite higher land values nearest to the urban areas. The bondrequired that a threatened parcel should be prioritized, all things being equal. 1414 Full criteria and legislation at: http://www.metrokc.gov/mkcc/Code/35-Title%2026.pdfDRAFT 1.6.05 69