A farm, a grocery store and two nonprofits have collectively been recognized for their collaborative work in shaping and continuing to develop a vision for a centralized, walkable and livable area of Chimacum that supports the farming economy.

The Futurewise 2016 Livable Communities Award on March 16 was awarded to Chimacum Corner Farmstand, Finnriver Farm and Cidery, Jefferson Land Trust and the North Olympic Peninsula Resources Conservation and Development Council (NOP RC&D) for Excellence in Protecting Natural Resources Areas – Farms and Forests.

“The coalition of local farmers, small businesses, and organizations that has shaped Chimacum [Crossroads] is honored for its coordinated effort to support the local farming economy by protecting working farmland and creating business opportunities centered on a key intersection to attract and engage the public – and for its vision of a more walkable, attractive village center with affordable housing,” reads the award.

The award-winning collaboration was spearheaded by Sarah Spaeth, Jefferson Land Trust conservation director, who over the past two years met regularly with Katy McCoy from the Chimacum Corner Farmstand, Crystie Kisler of Finnriver Farm and Cidery, and Kate Dean of the NOP RC&D to create and pursue a vision for a revitalized “downtown” Chimacum area.

Results of their collaboration are already evident around the Chimacum Crossroads, including Finnriver Farm's establishment of an orchard and tasting room at the historic Brown Dairy farm.

“It truly makes my heart sing to see new life at the old Brown Dairy,” said Spaeth. “It feels like a fitting way to honor B.G. and Gloria's legacy, and Finnriver is so great at inspiring community and bringing agriculture and conservation groups together on this farmland.”

Also on the farm, the historic farmhouse serves as the office space for the Chimacum branch of the CoLab, where groups such as Organic Seed Alliance, the North Olympic Salmon Coalition and the Washington State University Small Farms Program meet and work. There is also growing interest in how the Chimacum School District and local businesses can engage.

The collaborators are now looking at ways to address some challenges the local agricultural community faces, such as the lack of affordable farmworker housing in the vicinity.

Jefferson Land Trust, with the assistance of Dean from the NOP RC&D, is exploring how a 15-acre Land Trust property called “Chimacum Commons,” adjacent to the farmstand, could expand the vision.

“I’m excited about the potential to develop clustered, affordable farmworker housing on a portion of the property, with the remainder reserved for active agriculture,” said Spaeth. “There are a lot of questions to answer about what this might look like, and how we can get there from here. Kate [Dean] is helping us conduct the feasibility studies, stakeholder meetings, and community conversations to determine what might be possible at Chimacum Commons."

In addition to assessing affordable housing options, partners are working to find ways to improve “downtown” Chimacum in several key areas.

They envision increasing walkability and options for non-motorized transportation at the intersection of State Route 19 and Center Road.

The group hopes to develop infrastructure to support agriculture, value-added processing and retail opportunities to grow and support the local-food-system economy.

They are also looking at the creation of living-wage jobs consistent with the rural character, resource-based economy and values of the Chimacum community.

And, recognizing that a natural resource–based economy is not sustainable without an adequate land base, the group is continuing to try to preserve working landscapes in parcels large enough to be commercially viable.

"From an economic development perspective, this project represents more than just dollars invested and jobs created," said Dean. "It has brought together the private and public sector to make a plan for the Chimacum Crossroads that integrates growth along with preserving rural character."

And it's a collaboration that can serve as a model for other communities.

"This award recognizes a project or policy where innovative environmental approaches spur economic development and protect natural resource lands. The coordinated effort to energize Chimacum, protect valuable farmland, and create a thriving, livable local farm community is a model that we hope more farming communities can emulate,” said Hilary Franz, Futurewise executive director. “We are pleased to highlight this good work that is making Washington State a better place to live.”

Futurewise is a statewide group working to keep over-development from consuming Washington’s farms, forests and rural areas, while making its cities and towns great places to live.