About Farmers-To-Farmland

Are You a Beginning Farmer in the San Juan Islands?

Then you know farming in our region of the world requires creativity, resilience, and a deep commitment to place. You also know that finding affordable land, building a viable farm business and navigating the unique challenges the islands represent can make getting started feel daunting.

That’s exactly why Farmers-to-Farmland (F2F) was created.

Since 2016, the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild has worked alongside WSU Extension, San Juan Islands Conservation District, Northwest Agricultural Business Center, San Juan Islands Food Hub, and local farmer mentors to make entering and succeeding in agriculture more possible for beginning farmers throughout San Juan County.

What Farmers-to-Farmland Provides

Amplifying access, cultivating connections and providing support.

F2F helps beginning farmers navigate the many pieces of building a farm and finding a place to grow.

Through the program, farmers can access:

Farmland connections — helping beginning farmers find opportunities to lease, purchase, or otherwise access agricultural land.
Market connections — helping farmers identify opportunities to sell what they grow and strengthen their connection to local markets.
Mentorship — connecting beginning farmers with experienced local farmers who can share knowledge, perspective, and hard-earned lessons.
Peer networks — creating opportunities for beginning farmers to learn from and support one another.
Technical assistance and education — practical resources and individualized support to strengthen farm skills and decision-making.
Farm business development — guidance to help farmers build economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially resilient farm businesses.

The Impact

Since 2016, Farmers-to-Farmland has helped build a stronger pipeline of farmers throughout San Juan County.

59

Beginning farmers and ranchers have started farming

103

Beginning farmers and ranchers have improved their farm’s economic, environmental, and/or social success

158

Beginning farmers and ranchers have developed their farm business

300+

Beginning farmers and ranchers have developed skills through training and technical assistance

200+

Beginning farmers and ranchers have developed peer-support networks

126

Beginning farmers and ranchers have been connected with financing opportunities

23

Beginning farmers and ranchers have been connected with farmland

24

Farmer mentorships have been facilitated

From the Field

“The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild has been instrumental in helping us build a strong foundation for Ladybird Farm's inaugural year. As first-generation young farmers, there seems to be an endless list of new challenges and opportunities to navigate especially in regards to land transfers/land access agreements. The Ag Guild was able to connect us with folks who provided valuable guidance that allowed us to form a non-traditional lease agreement that we hope will be an outline that feels possible for others in the future.”

Ladybird Farm

Lopez Island, Farmers-to-Farmland participants

Farming Needs a Future

The future of agriculture in the San Juan Islands depends on supporting local farmers and strengthening farming viability. Farmers-to-Farmland is one piece of the puzzle: connecting people to land, knowledge, markets, mentors, and one another so that the next generation of farmers can flourish.

Are you a local farmer looking for resources or support? We’d love to hear from you.

We’re here to help you find the right resources and connections for your farm.