Submitted by The San Juan County Land Bank

The San Juan County Land Bank requests proposals from farmers or agricultural/food systems organizations interested in a long-term agricultural lease of its Frazer Homestead and/or Beaverton Marsh Preserves on San Juan Island.

Frazer Homestead Preserve: This property includes up to 50 acres of farmland, 40 of which is available for a long-term lease and 10 additional acres that may be available on a short-term basis. Recent agricultural uses consist of grazing, haying, and grain production. Water is currently limited to a half-acre pond for stock water equipped with a solar water pump. The farm is located next to American Camp National Park and allows scenic views across its pastures. The Land Bank’s goals for the Preserve include increasing the property’s agricultural productivity and infrastructure while maintaining its ecological and scenic qualities.

Beaverton Marsh Preserve: This property includes up to 35 acres of farmland available for a long-term lease. Recent agricultural activities have included grazing and haying. There are two wells within the lease area that could support a smaller area of irrigated crops and/or livestock water. The farm borders Roche Harbor Road and several hundred acres of conserved wetland, marsh, and forest lands. The Land Bank’s goals for the Preserve include increasing the property’s agricultural productivity and infrastructure while maintaining its ecological and scenic qualities.

Request for Proposal Information Packets can be viewed online at https://sjclandbank.org/news/.

For an application form, please contact Charlie Behnke, Agriculture Coordinator, at charlieb@sjclandbank.org or 360-830-7340.

Written proposals will be due on February 29, 2024. Mail to 350 Court Street #6, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or drop off at 328 Caines Street in Friday Harbor or email to charlieb@sjclandbank.org

About San Juan County’s Conservation Land Bank

San Juan County’s Conservation Land Bank, funded by a 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property at closing, acquires and protects special places in the Islands including coastlines, farmland, forests and wetlands. The department offices are located at 328 Caines Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Land Bank, visit www.sjclandbank.org.