King County Council town hall to explore how local food and farm system contributes to the health and economic vitality of region

Published 3:02 pm Tuesday, April 14, 2015

The following is a release from King County:

With the third highest number of farms in the state, King County’s economy is more than jets, software and coffee. The Metropolitan King County Council’s Committee of the Whole will be holding a special town-hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. on April 20 to discuss the regional economic impact of King County farms and the challenges their operators face as shrinking county budgets impact the rural and unincorporated communities they are part of. The meeting will take place at Chief Kanim Middle School (commons area), 32627 S.E. Redmond-Fall City Road, Fall City.

The public is invited to meet face-to-face with King County Council members at an informal reception starting at 6 p.m.

“I am delighted to kick off our council’s in-district meeting series with our focus on our King County food and farm issues,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, chair of the Committee of the Whole. “As spring settles in, our local bounty deserves attention.”

“I’m glad to be co-hosting this town hall in my district,” said council member Kathy Lambert, whose district includes Fall City and Redmond. “The dual focus of food/farm and local/regional government should present all those who attend with plenty of good information and a broad range of topics for citizens to give their valuable input on.”

The town hall will start with Dwight Dively, the director of the County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget discussing rural economic development challenges and opportunities.

There will then be two panels discussing the unique challenges facing farms in King County and the partnerships that help farmers get their crops not only to tables throughout King County, but throughout the world. Scheduled panelists include:

Siri Erickson-Brown, Local Roots Farms

Erick Haakenson, Local Food Initiative

Nancy Hutto, King County Agriculture Commission

A representative of the King Conservation District

Becky Elias, Public Health – Seattle & King County Food Program

Carrie Van Dyck, The Herbfarm

After the panelists, the council will take public testimony on these and other issues.