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Committee hears strong public support for farm diversification and youth agriculture; cannabis to be folded into ag element
Summary
Survey respondents favored microbreweries and distilleries on winery parcels and—unexpectedly—youth agriculture and wilderness education; staff said cannabis policy work is proceeding in parallel and cannabis will be included in the agricultural element for the first time.
Staff member said the survey showed strong support for diversifying agricultural uses on ag parcels, including microbreweries and distilleries that could complement existing wineries. "Because of the desire to diversify in the winery industry, the state has modified its regulations to allow for microbreweries to occur at the same location as wineries," the staff member said.
Members also flagged community interest in youth agriculture and wilderness education programs; staff described those write‑in responses as unexpectedly prominent. On cannabis, staff said the county's cannabis ordinance task force is updating regulations and that cannabis will be explicitly included in the ag element, with concepts under consideration such as on‑site tasting rooms, special events and on‑site consumption for established permittees.
