The 78th Street Heritage Farm, a historic site in Vancouver, is priceless to Clark County. My husband and I, as well as many others, have taken classes around growing, preparing, and preserving healthy, safe food for families.
Tons of produce are grown there to help families with limited incomes receive fresh, nutritious food. Small acreage classes teach about environmentally safe practices concerning gardens and homes, and water quality issues related to ponds and stream runoff, septic issues and rainwater collection. Busloads of students come to the farm to learn about food and giving back to their community. The wetlands are home to a frog species specific to this area, and the heritage orchard contains trees that have survived in our specific climate for generations. These genetics are worth preserving. The Mother’s Day Weekend Plant Sale raises money for numerous nonprofits in Clark County each year, and money goes to the county to cover the lease.
The council discussed the farm more during their council time on Jan. 15th, beginning at 50:52 — it is worth listening to this recording to learn what they are thinking: https://www.clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/dept/files/council-meetings/2020/2020_Q1/011520_CTAudio.mp3.
Please write your councilors in favor of accepting the Heritage Farm Master Plan and urge them not sell 78th Street Heritage Farm. Here is the contact information: https://www.clark.wa.gov/councilors/write-councilor
