Pruning Berries with
Gary Ingram.

 Looking to grow bigger berries and more of them?
Sweeter, juicier, and better berries are produced on
well cared for bushes and vines.

Gary Ingram is back to share his 40+ years of fruit growing knowledge,
and this time he focuses on berry pruning techniques that
help you increase your harvest and grow healthier plants.

Saturday - April 18 - 11am

Clinic is free and no need to RSVP prior to attending
CLICK for a list of upcoming clinic topics and dates 

A Follow up Letter to the
Snohomish County Council

Dear Snohomish County Council,

We recently communicated to our Flower World customer base the necessary steps we have taken to comply with the Judge’s decision that Flower World is not an agricultural operation. It is clear that this decision was based on the fact that Flower World sells their agricultural products (plants grown by us on 200 acres of property and 12 acres of greenhouses) to retail customers. In addition, we were told we cannot have customers parking on the property. These facts were clearly confirmed by the Hearing Examiner and the Court even though Flower World’s zoning for farm and Nursery is explicitly allowed under the Code. Regardless, the Court decided, with a straight face, that Flower World is not involved in an agricultural business. So, the question becomes what is considered agricultural activities and what other activities are incidental to that effort?

If you, as a Council, agree with the Hearing Examiner and the Court’s decision that Flower World is no longer an agricultural operation, then those same rules must be applied to all farms. This includes Nurseries, Strawberry, Hay, Vegetable, Pumpkin, Cut-flower, Xmas tree, and any other farm involved in Agri-tourism. As long as they are selling their product to the general public, they too are no longer classified as agriculture and become subject to the assessor’s claim for 6 years back taxes and penalties. This court decision also means ALL of these farms cannot operate in R-5 or Ag-10 zoning and that ALL of these farms, selling to retail customers, are now considered to be a commercial retail store.

Accepting the new rule that these farms are no longer involved in agriculture endangers the farms open space tax exemption. Not agriculture, no tax exemption. Period. The Assessor will be knocking on the door. Ironically, this Council went to bat two years ago on the State level, to make sure that Agri- tourism was a viable option to support farmers income. Now, as interpreted by Snohomish County Court and the County Code itself, the rug is pulled out from under that issue. A rule that had never existed for farms that grow or raise their own agricultural products. You must realize, as legislators, that any ambiguity in the code that negates anything accomplished in State Law should not be undermined by County Code.

I clearly understand the separation of powers between the Council, as legislators, and the Executive and Judicial branch. However, the excuse of not being able to get involved is lame. Why, then, is there a Council representing us, the citizens, in the first place? By claiming this excuse, you conveniently bypass your responsibility to function as checks and balances. This does not mean you have to interfere with Court cases, but you definitely have the legislative power to pass laws that will clarify ambiguities in the County Code and stop roque attorneys from declaring war on local farmers. These same attorneys often make statements that are 180 degrees opposing Snohomish County Agricultural policies and are in direct conflict with the Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers Executive Order 18-02 titled “Advancing our policies for preserving and expanding the Agricultural economy of Snohomish County “ 

Since the issue centers entirely on the definition of what agricultural activities actually are, I suggest you pass a simple ordinance to be codified as follows and is made an explicit part of the Land Disturbing Activities exemptions for Agriculture that are currently in the code.

Amend SCC 30.91A.090 (definition of Agricultural activities)  and SCC 30.91F.120 (definition of what is a “Farm”) to include retail sales to the public and the parking of customer cars on private property as a necessary part of Agricultural activities, that take place when Agricultural Products, as defined in SCC 30.91A.105A, are being sold to the general public and are grown by the farmer.

We have been encouraged by the great support of many who want to see Flower World continue to operate, and you have the ability to make it happen.

John Postema  

Planting Service 

You’re dreaming of new gardens and colorful flower beds…
but finding the time feels impossible. That’s where we come in.

Simply stop by and choose the plants you love,
and we take care of everything else.
Delivery, expert planting, and the confidence of
precision work that is fully guaranteed.

CLICK for more details about Flower World's Planting Service.