Become a Member
Who We Are
We are a volunteer team of farmers, food artisans and agricultural organization representatives with a mission to protect and restore agricultural resources in San Juan County (SJC). In recognition of the importance of agriculture for food security, land stewardship and island identity the county formed the Agricultural Resource Committee (ARC) in 2005 and has continued to fund a part-time committee coordinator.
What We Do
Advise the SJC Council on relevant agricultural issues
Identify emerging opportunities
Inform and educate elected officials and local citizens about the importance of agriculture
Promote programs, initiatives and policies that strengthen and expand the agricultural identity and economy
Committee members have an important advisory responsibility in County government to help ensure the viability of farming. The ARC seeks representation from the major islands, different sectors of the agricultural industry, and varying skill sets (business, marketing, communication, land conservation, etc) that will contribute to advancing the mission.
The ARC is comprised of five to fifteen members representing the agricultural community and staffed by an ARC Coordinator. At least 50% of the committee must be commercial farmers, while the others represent stakeholders who are committed to strengthening agriculture. Representation from the San Juan County Land Bank, Washington State University SJC Extension, Conservation District, Economic Development Council, and county staff is encouraged.
What to expect as a Committee Member
Committee members are appointed for 4-year terms.
ARC meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:00 p.m. from September through May with a summer recess from June through August. All meetings can be attended via video conferencing from your home or at the libraries on Orcas and Lopez or the WSU Extension office on San Juan.
Engagement with either the Outreach team or the Policy team. Both teams take on specific projects and meet monthly September through May .
ARC organized events:
Winter: listening sessions and the San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit
Spring: hosting the Agricultural Organizations Retreat
Summer: providing outreach at the Agricultural Tent at the San Juan County Fair
Fall: participating in the annual ARC retreat held in November for long range planning
Examples of ARC projects
Talking to farmers about their experience, needs and frustrations
Keeping an ear and eye out for emerging issues that relate to agriculture
Researching agricultural land use policy in other counties
Mapping projects
Helping to draft memos and policy statements
Designing outreach materials
Gathering of resources for farmers
Website development
Making presentations to county council
How to Apply to be an ARC Member
To achieve its mission, the ARC depends on the involvement, input, and expertise of farmers and other representatives of the agricultural sector. Those interested in becoming a member of the ARC must fill out the application and submit it to suek@sanjuanco.com. Please contact the ARC Coordinator to request a recruitment packet or if you have any additional information or questions callt 360-370-7666 or email faithv@sanjuanco.com.