Skagit County Announces Three Winter Workshops to Support Farmland Succession

Free winter workshop series brings farmers, landowners, and agricultural partners together to explore successful land transfers and preserve Skagit Valley's agricultural future.

As a growing number of Washington farmers approach retirement age, the need for farmland transfer planning has never been more critical. The Skagit County Farmland Legacy Program announces Passing Our Fields Forward: Three Winter Workshops for Successful Land Transfers, a series designed to help farmers, landowners, and the next generation of agricultural producers navigate the challenges and opportunities of farm transitions.

The workshops will take place December 9, 2026, January 13, 2027, and February 10, 2027, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Shawn O'Donnell's at the Farmhouse in Mount Vernon. Participants are invited to attend one or all three sessions, each offering practical resources, firsthand experiences, and opportunities to connect with fellow farmers and agricultural professionals.

The urgency of farmland succession planning is underscored by significant demographic shifts. The average age of Washington farmers is 59.3 years, and more than 40% of the nation's farmland is owned by individuals over age 65. According to American Farmland Trust, up to 370 million acres of farmland nationwide could change ownership by 2040, including approximately one-third of Washington's farms and ranches. These transitions represent a pivotal moment for farmland preservation, as agricultural land is particularly vulnerable to development when ownership changes hands.

Three Workshops, Three Critical Conversations

Each workshop will explore a different aspect of successful farmland transitions, featuring knowledgeable speakers, panelists, and firsthand experiences from the agricultural community.

• December 9, 2026 | Vision, Values & Goals: Identifying the priorities, expectations, and shared goals that outgoing and incoming generations need to establish for a successful transition.
• January 13, 2027 | Ownership & Leasing: Exploring the challenges and successes of farmland ownership and leasing models, including both family and non-family land transfers.
• February 10, 2027 | Affordability Tools & Models: Examining traditional and innovative strategies that support farmland transitions and access for the next generation of farmers.

The series builds upon the success of the 2025–2026 Your Farm's Future workshops, which brought together farmers, landowners, and agricultural resource providers to address the complexities of farm succession. This year's program introduces new speakers, perspectives, and topics, providing valuable opportunities for both returning and first-time participants.

Beyond education, the workshops emphasize the importance of relationships and community connections. Each session concludes with a dinner, allowing participants to continue conversations, exchange experiences, and connect with neighbors and resource providers.

A Community Commitment to Farmland's Future

Passing Our Fields Forward is presented by the Skagit County Farmland Legacy Program in collaboration with the Western Washington Agricultural Association, Washington State University Skagit County Extension, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, Skagit Farm Bureau, Genuine Skagit Valley, and the Skagit Conservation District.

Together, these organizations share a commitment to protect Skagit County's agricultural land, support farm families, and ensure that future generations have opportunities to farm.

Registration Now Open

The workshops will be held in the private Westview Room at Shawn O'Donnell's at the Farmhouse, 13724 La Conner Whitney Road, Mount Vernon, WA. Each session runs from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., including a buffet dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Farmers, ranchers, landowners and others interested in farmland succession are encouraged to register for one or all three workshops. Registration is required.

For workshop details and registration, visit:

www.skagitcountywa.gov/your-farms-future

About the Skagit County Farmland Legacy Program

The Skagit County Farmland Legacy Program works to preserve the county's agricultural land and support the long-term viability of farming through voluntary farmland conservation and related agricultural initiatives.