Washington State lost nearly 98,000 acres of farmland to development between 2001 and 2016 and stands to convert an additional 192,000 acres to development by 2040, with the largest impacts projected in Puget Sound counties. Known drivers of farmland loss include population growth and urban sprawl. But also at play are the social, economic, and structural factors that make it difficult for farmers to keep farming. Communities are searching for tools to help agricultural businesses stay viable and keep farmers on the land. More information is needed about what strategies support agricultural viability, and what role those strategies can play in preventing farmland loss.

This Toolkit for Local Action highlights case studies from across the region where local governments and their partners are demonstrating leadership, creativity, and proactive response to the challenges facing agricultural producers. This toolkit is designed to inspire peer-to-peer learning and cross-pollination, and to help Puget Sound communities access the information and resources needed to scale the solutions that work to support agricultural viability.

Use the companion Puget Sound Agricultural Viability Action Plan for an overview of goals and strategies for increasing the viability of regional agriculture. While written for the Puget Sound counties, the information will be useful for other counties both within and outside of Washington State.