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07/01/2008: "Project Recommends Formation of San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild"

By Eliza Buck

“Eat Local” is a way of life for many residents in the San Juan Islands. We are fortunate to have weekly Farmers’ Markets giving us access to Island raised produce, berries, flowers, meat, eggs and dairy products, as well as local seafood and shellfish. The markets also feature freshly cooked and prepared foods made from local ingredients.

An active vibrant Farmers’ Market is an invaluable asset to the community. Conversely, community support is essential to its success. The San Juan Island Farmers’ Market, which over the past ten years, has expanded to over 40 vendors, is such a success story.


It has outgrown its space at the courthouse parking lot and needs the ability to grow and further expand. From a recent survey of market vendors, Paul LaCrampe of Lacrover Farms summarizes their top priorities as “a need for a permanent location to offer a year-round market and operate for more than one day a week.

The site must provide protection from the elements, ample parking, restrooms and storage facilities. Above all, this permanent market must be economically sustainable for both vendors and consumers.”

In 2007, the Agricultural Resources Committee (ARC) of San Juan County identified a project to help local farmers establish a Permanent Farmers’ Market (PFM) as a major component for successful marketing of local agricultural goods in the islands. According to Ron Zee, ARC Chairperson: “Although it would be on San Juan Island, it would open markets to farmers from other islands, and also it would serve as a model that might eventually be replicated on Orcas and Lopez.”

In early December 2007, a group of people representing a broad range of county agencies, farmers and local food advocates attended a meeting to envision a PFM on San Juan Island. A planning group was formed during that meeting and assigned the task of defining short-term and long-term goals and to identify an organization to take action to meet these goals.

The group has recommended the formation of a San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity whose primary purpose is to foster sustainable agriculture in San Juan County. The Guild will coordinate its education and business development programs with other county and regional entities with similar goals.

The planning group has identified a number of key players to comprise the board, including representatives from San Juan Island, Orcas, and Lopez Farmer Market Associations, ARC, Economic Development Council, San Juan County Fair Board, WSU Extension, San Juan Islands Conservation District, Island Grown Farmers Cooperative, as well as three At Large positions. The Guild has also invited ex-officio (non-voting) representatives from the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Library, and San Juan Health and Community Services.

The new entity will be ratified at a public meeting on February 4, 2008 held in the Community Room at Skagit Valley College in Friday Harbor from 1-4 PM. For more information, contact Eliza Buck, ARC Coordinator: e.buck@sanjuanislandscd.org or call 378-6621.