KCAA Calls for Stronger Agricultural Representation in County Policy

The KCAA has urged the Board of County Commissioners to create an Agriculture Advisory Council during the upcoming Year of the Rural. As Kitsap County’s longest-standing agricultural nonprofit, we are ready to play an active role not just in establishing the council, but throughout the entire Year of the Rural. Below is the letter we submitted to the Board of County Commissioners.

December 30, 2024 Dear Kitsap County Commissioners,

The KCAA is the longest-standing agriculturally-oriented organization in the County. Now, after a covid-induced hiatus, we are again ready to offer our guidance as a recognized representative organization for addressing agricultural practitioner and land-owner policy/regulatory related concerns. 

We would like to offer some feedback to the initial DCD process outlined for the Year of the Rural: 

First, we are encouraged to see the County taking a proactive approach to preserving the remaining rural character of the County, and addressing some of the concerns of the agricultural community. We hope this can remedy the long-standing reluctance on the part of the county to address these issues. 

In addition, we strongly endorse during the Year of the Rural, the formation of a well-considered county-wide Agriculture Advisory Group to help shape and guide the policy decisions that will be forthcoming, and to advise the County in the future. Any policy or code updates from this Year of the Rural project will likely greatly affect our stakeholders.  

Finally, we also recognize that public outreach will be crucial in creating a plan which has both broad understanding and public support. With that in mind, we are ready to play any appropriate role in the County’s work on this project. 

Sincerely,

KCAA Board of Directors

Bob Geballe, Board President