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Washington County committee adopts Appendix K farmland preservation plan, sends draft to state for certification
Summary
The Land Use and Planning Committee voted to adopt Appendix K, a farmland preservation plan amendment, and directed staff to send the plan to the state Department of Agriculture for review and possible certification before returning to the committee and county board.
The Washington County Land Use and Planning Committee voted May 15 to adopt Appendix K, the county's farmland preservation plan amendment (2025-1), and authorized staff to forward the draft to the state for review and certification.
The adoption followed a public hearing for the final draft of Appendix K, part of the multi-jurisdictional comprehensive plan for Washington County 2050. County staff told the committee the plan will go next to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) for review; DATCP will work with county staff on any needed revisions and, if satisfied, certify the plan before the committee considers any final ordinance or resolution for county board action.
Committee Chair opened the public hearing after the county clerk read the published notice. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. A motion to adopt the appendix was made and seconded; the committee recorded unanimous assent when members answered “aye.”
Adam, a county planning staff member who helped coordinate the plan, summarized the next steps: "They're gonna review it, and if they have any revisions for the plan, they're gonna work with our department on those revisions. But once they're satisfied... they will certify the plan, and then we'll come back to this... committee for another recommendation for approval based off of those, and if there are any revisions." Supervisor Mary moved adoption; Supervisor Conrad and other committee members offered congratulatory remarks to staff and participating landowners for the outreach and revision process.
Committee members highlighted changes intended to improve farmer participation, including revisions to the minimum acreage thresholds and other program details. Officials said the farmland preservation plan is part of the county's comprehensive plan and that participation or certification is required to access certain state grants.
The committee voted to move the draft forward to the state review process; any final ordinance or resolution to adopt Appendix K formally will return to the committee and then to the Washington County Board for consideration.
