Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development

The Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Program of the Lopez Community Land Trust is committed to cultivating an ethic of agricultural land stewardship, providing education about the importance of resilient local food systems and actively promoting the development of small scale agricultural infrastructure for the San Juan Islands. Through the efforts of LCLT staff, community volunteers, and local farmers, the SARD program is increasing the economic feasability of small-scale, ecologically sound agriculture and creating new avenues for sustainable land-based livelihoods, while supporting a goal of community food security in San Juan County.

For information on our SARD internships, click here.

SARD programs and collaborations:

• Lopez Island Farm Trust (LIFT)
• Historic Stonecrest Farm
• Lopez Sound Road Farm & Forest Preserve
• Grain CSA
• Farm Products Guide
• Lopez Island School LIFE Garden Program

Past Projects:

• Mobile Processing Unit
• FoodMetrics Lab—food safety lab
• Lopez Island Foodshed Assessment — Can Lopez Island Feed Itself?
• 2011 Food Charrette
• Wind Energy Report
• Grain Project

In 2001 LCLT produced the first USDA Mobile Processing Unit in the U. S. The unit was eventually sold to the local Island Grown Farmers Cooperative. This unit enabled Lopez farmers to slaughter animals on the farm without the difficult long ferry rides and trucking animals across the state. Lopez residents can now purchase local meat by the cut directly from the farmer or in local grocery stores.

Lopez Island Farm Trust (LIFT)

LIFT GOALS:

• Strengthen our local food system, ecological diversity and access to local foods;

• Develop a comprehensive legal, ethical and economically viable land lease system;

• Provide affordable access to land and infrastructure for farmers;

• Implement sound business practices for regenerative income to support the farms and farmers;

• Develop farm programs for beginning farmers and others in search of life skills;

• Provide educational opportunities;

• Cultivate systems that encourage multi-generational living on the land and affordable housing;

• Generate sources of local food and farm products by acquiring, leasing and managing new & historical farms; and

• Retain and invigorate the working rural character of Lopez Island through ethical practices that build soil.

Mobile Processing Unit

In 2001 LCLT produced the first USDA Mobile Processing Unit in the U. S. The unit was eventually sold to the local Island Grown Farmers Cooperative. This unit enabled Lopez farmers to slaughter animals on the farm without the difficult long ferry rides and trucking animals across the state. Lopez residents can now purchase local meat by the cut directly from the farmer or in local grocery stores.