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County advisory board backs $1.4M request to protect 135‑acre Big Red Barn Farm
Summary
The Conservation Futures advisory board recommended up to $1.4 million to buy a conservation easement on the 135‑acre Big Red Barn Farm through the North Olympic Land Trust; the land trust reports it has secured roughly 64% of the total acquisition cost and plans to resell eased parcels to farmers.
The Conservation Futures advisory board recommended that Clallam County approve up to $1,400,000 to acquire a conservation easement on the 135‑acre Big Red Barn Farm, a working farm the board described as prime soils and a top farmland conservation priority for the county.
The Land Trust told commissioners the total cost for easement acquisition is $4,255,000 and that it has already raised about 64% of that total; the trust plans to hold the property temporarily under a buy‑protect‑sell model and later resell smaller, conserved parcels to farmers. "We are now in the protect phase," the land trust said, adding seller financing and loans are in place while additional grants are pursued.
Conservation board members said the property is high priority because of soil quality, surrounding conserved lands and active agricultural infrastructure. Commissioners asked about zoning, resale plans, and whether the county fund has balance requirements; staff said the $1.4 million request is for easement value only and does not include staff or due‑diligence costs.
The board recommended moving the funding request forward to a formal agenda item for approval at a regular meeting.
Next steps: staff will include the request on the upcoming consent/regular agenda and confirm the funding source and any required conditions.
