CHIMACUM — The Port of Port Townsend made its pitch for purchasing Short’s Family Farm at a public meeting held, appropriately enough, at the Chimacum Grange.
Members of the crowd of more than 70 people on Wednesday had plenty of questions about what would be the port’s first venture into agriculture if it bought the 253-acre property where the Shorts have raised cattle since 1945.
Port staff and commissioners listened to feedback that expressed skepticism, enthusiasm and guarded support for acquiring a farm when they don’t know the cost or have a plan for what to do with it if they buy it.
“The purchase price is currently a missing link in this potential transaction, so I think that’s important for everybody to hear,” said Executive Director Eron Berg.
The port is still waiting for a property appraisal, which was supposed to be completed before the end of the year; Berg had previously said he estimated the price of the farm would be more than $2 million.
Peter Newland of Quilcene said he believed the port’s “buy now, figure out what to do with it later” approach was not prudent.
“As yet there is no appraisal of value, we have not seen a detailed concept or plan for what the port might do with this investment of public money, and there is no hint of what the return on investment might be,” Newland said.
For some, the port’s lack of a plan was appealing.
“I actually find that there is no plan exciting,” said a woman identified only as Hannah. “As a young person in this industry with a passion and without resources, I think this is an incredible opportunity to create something unique.”
Many pointed out that the Short farm experienced severe flooding every year because of its location near Chimacum Creek, which is clogged with invasive reed canary grass and blocked by beaver dams.
Investment in drainage and maintenance would be required for the land to become economically viable — a reality the port has acknowledged.
Jean Ball of Quilcene wanted to know why of all the farmland in Jefferson County the port was interested in a property that she said was poorly suited to agriculture.
“I’m a farmer, I get it,” Ball said. “I’m not saying it can’t be done. I’m saying you need to be clear-eyed about this stuff. I don’t want this to be a romantic fairy tale notion of what agriculture is. Agriculture is hard work.”
Deputy Director Eric Toews said the port had long had an interest in agriculture.
“From its very inception nearly a century ago in 1924, the port imagined that it would play a role in helping to support local ag, but that vision has never been realized, at least not to date,” Toews said.
The port’s experience working with governmental and nonprofit organizations made it well positioned to provide the kind of assistance that would benefit the community, Toews said.
“We think that we can help build partnerships with the ag community, work with regulatory agencies, nonprofits and hopefully devise a plan with your help that will be a real benefit to scaling up local ag production and help navigate sort of the complexities of today’s regulatory environment,” Toews said.
Jefferson County has no USDA slaughter and processing facilities and lacks adequate cold storage and other kinds of infrastructure farmers need. These were the kinds of projects where the port’s expertise could prove valuable, said Nicole Witham, general manager of the Chimacum Corner Farmstand.
“This community really needs agricultural infrastructure,” Witham, said. “It has been a historical farmland community, but many of the things that are needed to support that have been lost throughout the years.”
The non-binding letter of intent the port signed with the Shorts to purchase their farm expires Jan. 28. With no appraisal in hand, it can’t negotiate a deal.
Jefferson Land Trust acquired a conservation easement from the Shorts in 2016 for $800,000 that ensures the farm will not be subdivided and developed.
Information about the Short’s Family Farm, including maps, environmental site assessments and easements can be found on the port’s website at tinyurl.com/4arm4rsr.
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Paula Hunt can be reached at 360-460-9696, or by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
