Vancouver, Wash. – Community members are encouraged to help Clark County shape the future of the 78th Street Heritage Farm in Hazel Dell.

Clark County’s Heritage Farm provides a substantial amenity for neighbors, students, gardeners, farmers, researchers and community organizations for learning about and practicing sustainable, historic agriculture.

An open house has been scheduled for 6-8 pm Thursday, Jan. 31, in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. County residents can learn more about the 79-acre farm and share their preliminary thoughts on how it should be used in future years.

Part of the update will include an online survey that will help gauge community priorities for the farm’s future use. A link to the survey, along with more information for the plan’s update, is available on the county’s website, www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/heritage-farm-update. County residents also will be able to take the survey at the Jan. 31 open house.

The Heritage Farm’s history dates back to the 1870s, when Clark County started operating a poor farm along the south side of Northeast 78th Street. The site was later used as a research and experimental farm by Washington State University Extension before the county resumed managing the property in 2008.

Clark County adopted a master plan in 2010 that commits the county to preserving the site’s agricultural heritage and history as a poor farm and to encouraging use of its agricultural, historical and educational amenities.

This year’s plan update will incorporate changes to the property since 2010, potentially revise components of the master plan that have not been implemented, and review priorities for the farm’s future use without modifying the 2010 plan’s vision and guiding principles.

CONTACT
Patrick Lee
program coordinator II
Public Works
360.397.6118 x 4070
patrick.lee@clark.wa.gov