Welcome to Skagit County

February 15th, 2005

FARMLAND LEGACY PROGRAM PROTECTS ADDITIONAL 225 ACRES OF FERTILE FARMLAND

SKAGIT COUNTY – On January 31, 2005, Dan and Carol Miller of Burlington sold the development rights through Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program on 137 acres of prime farmland located on the Cook Road. “The Millers have demonstrated their commitment to agriculture in the Valley once again with granting an additional easement on farmland north of Burlington,” said Allison Deets, program director.

Last year the Millers sold the development rights to 410 acres of farmland within one mile of the Burlington urban growth area.

In another action, the Skagit Land Trust donated an easement to the Farmland Legacy Program of 88 acres on property located on Francis Road, near Mount Vernon. “Skagit Land Trust has been an ongoing supporter of our program,” said Deets. “They have been a wonderful partner in the effort to achieve our complementary goals of farmland preservation and habitat protection.”

To date, Skagit County has protected 4,236 acres of farmland from future development.
The Farmland Legacy Program preserves farmland by purchasing development rights from willing sellers of land zoned Agriculture-NRL and then limiting use of the property to agriculture. The Program pays the landowner for these restrictions on the property. The seller continues to hold title to the land and can sell, lease or bequeath the property to whomever they choose.
Limiting use of the land to agriculture is assured by a conservation easement. The easement is recorded and stays with the land regardless of future ownership.