Land, Water and Labor Policies
February 19, 2008
Land, water and labor are fundamental and crucial to the success of working farms in Whatcom County. These three ingredients of farming are not without their challenges. As advocates of farming, Whatcom Farm Friends has developed policy statements which clarify our positions on issues impacting agriculture in our County. While our positions are dealt with individually below, it should be made clear that land, water and labor are very interdependent. The three elements are best viewed as a three-legged stool. Solving problems in one area without considering the ramifications in the other two areas could lead to suboptimal results.
Land Policy 
Poorly planned growth in Whatcom County's rural, agricultural areas has significantly contributed to the reduction in the county's working farms. Also, ill-advised growth reduces the customer base for such ag-related businesses as: dairy and farm supply cooperatives, equipment sales and service, management services and other businesses. Working farms can't survive without these providers of products and services.
Repeated research also shows that the placement of non-farm residents in agricultural areas stresses the ability of local government to provide adequate law enforcement, utilities and other services. Consequently, the tax burden on county residents rises.
Our goal is no net loss in the county's farmland soils. It should be an important and principled objective of our county to keep as much of our farmland as possible in working farms. Our farms need fertile soil and sufficient water supplies to grow food and fiber.
Farmland preservation can be accomplished through market-based processes that match willing sellers with willing buyers. The current Purchase of Development Rights program is a modest example. A Transfer of Development Rights and an Agricultural Lands Mitigation program may also have promise in this regard.
Market-based programs can significantly contribute to keeping farmland in working farms. It's also important from the perspective of farmers that such programs protect the current value of their land. In addition, these programs can limit increases in production costs, ease reduction of farm debt, facilitate the expansion of working farms and lessen the difficulty of transition to the next generation of farmers.
Farmers alone can't protect Whatcom County's agricultural land -- it takes the whole community. By supporting working farms instead of allowing unrestrained development, we augment our local economy, safeguard water supplies, protect natural areas and maintain the "magic" of Whatcom County.
Water Policy 
Working farms in Whatcom County require long-term, guaranteed access to clean water, a timely ability to manage excess water, and adequate flood protection.
Water management is a communitywide responsibility that requires the support of local, state and federal governments and Native American tribes. The focus should be placed at the lowest practical level - that of an individual drainage unit. Based on the demonstrated experience of efforts in the Ten Mile, Bertrand, and Fishtrap watersheds, landowners within a drainage unit should be empowered to carry out necessary water management duties and responsibilities.
All water-management decisions have broad community implications. Water management must be done in the context of care for the natural environment, habitat concerns, water quality, and future water supply challenges. Local drainage units should be authorized and funded to implement actions that respect the delicate balance among these concerns.
Labor Policy 
Current immigration and border security policies don't take into account the unique needs of working farms. Working farms need seasonal and year-round employees. However, current federal policies make access to sufficient labor difficult. In addition, inconsistent immigration enforcement can disrupt farm operations that have time and weather-critical windows for completion, significantly reducing crop harvests and milk production. For example, a delay of just a day or two in harvesting fruit can drop its value substantially.
Comprehensive labor and immigration reform is urgently needed. The basic elements of such reform should contain:
- Earned amnesty for existing workers with demonstrated value to employers and the community.
- A guest worker program that facilitates the timely movement of workers into the United States and their annual return to their homes.
- Enforcement at our borders for national security requirements.
- Synchronized implementation of these elements.
Modern labor policy should also support farm employers in providing adequate temporary housing for seasonal workers.
printer friendly