Linea Jantz
Spokane Valley, WA
Beth Fairfax
Spokane
The greater Spokane area is growing very fast and with that growth comes inevitable change but we need to carefully consider the future Spokane. It is vital to be good stewards of our rare remaining farmlands.
Cheryl Stebbins
SPOKANE
The Pilcher Farm is not only beautiful and workable land, it’s also extremely accessible from downtown. It would be a prime location for teaching farm. I could see Skills-based high school being located there.
The Evergreen State College has a great example of a farm as classroom.
Please consider the long term health and sustainability of our city before allowing this great opportunity to be destroyed.
Kirsten Angell
Spokane
This project is exactly what our community needs on multiple levels. If protected and brought back into production, this land can be used to educate our citizens about growing food and this will empower them. This project can also draw people together in a beautiful way, connecting them to the natural world and each other. This riparian corridor is vital to many species of 'other than human', so they will experience a benefit as well. This project will require the collaboration of multiple people and entities, which will knit our governing agencies and non-profits together. So much benefit could come from this creative endeavor. I truly hope this project will be given a chance.
Margaret Rogers
Medical Lake
This type of farm is part of the community as a local food source. It is also part of a sustainable model of food provision. The importance for the future cannot be overstated.
Debbie Stempf
Spokane
Open land and farmland are both disappearing at a fast rate.
For future food security for the citizens of Spokane it's important to have near-by working farms.
We don't need more of our farmland paved over for housing! It is then lost forever........
Thank you.
Spokane Food Policy Council
Spokane
william aal
Spokane Valley
W. Thomas Soeldner
Valleyford, WA
Preserving open space and farmland is critical for a sustainable and livable present and future Spokane. The Vinegar Flat land along Latah Creek is an excellent example of the sort of land that should be preserved as farmland for future generations.
Rev. Anna Marie Martin
Spokane, WA
We need to protect the arable lands near Spokane. This is a great project and I encourage you to consider it. We don't need more luxury homes: we need more coalitions to increase food security and provide job training.
Loretta Bertis
Spokane
Preserving good local farmland is crucial and sensible for our immediate and future food quality security- there is other land that can be used for development. Please take the long view and work to secure this land for its best use - and in doing so, lead and inspire others to use land for its highest purpose for our community. Thank you.
Holly J Borba
Spokane
The human immune system is completely dependent on total ecosystem health, especially soil/water/air quality. A healthy microbiome combats pathogens before antibodies do. What happens to soil happens to our bodies. Let's preserve good soil and teach others how to take care of it!!
Michael "Skeeter" Pilarski - Friends of the Trees Society
Port Hadlock, WA
Spokane should increase county food production, not lessen it. I have been a frequent visitor to Spokane since the mid 1970s. Shame on you if you let this land be developed for housing. Keep it farmland.
Huckleberry Range Community Collective
Gifford, WA
Edward Bryant
Spokane Valley
Ted Hensold
Spokane
The City needs to revise its development ordinances to put real teeth into the Comp Plan language that purports to protect farmland.
Carrie west
Winslow, Bainbridge island
Please do all you can to preserve this farmland. It is super important. Thank you for considering this! Carrie West
Melissa Skomer-Kafton
Spokane
Jesse Johnson
Spokane, Wa
The pandemic proved that our food system is high insecure. For weeks people waited to get basic items at the grocery store such as bleach and spinach. 9 months into the pandemic there are still shortages. We need to preserve all the farmland we have because we can no longer solely rely on farms hundreds of miles away. Also, as the population grows and the effects of climate change begin to affect farmland, we will see even more shortages of food.
Darcey Byrne
Spokane
I fully support the farmers and farmland from wonton development. This land would serve Spokane as a land trust for ever.
NewStories
Spokane
This effort is one next step in a new relationship with food. How we grow, harvest, prepare and eat it. Do it right and it nourishes our bodies and our souls. When I and other co-created the Spokane MarketPlace in the mid-nineties, one of our main reasons was to reconnect farmers and urban folk. That first MarketPlace has led to a flourishing of farmers markets across our community. This project brings farmers and farmland even closer in!
The Rev. Debra Conklin
Spokane
Kelly J. Wieber
Greenacres
Jennifer Brock Olson
Spokane
I lived in Mesa, Arizona before moving to Spokane some 30+ years ago. I watched as orange and grapefruit orchards became housing developments. I began calling the Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale area East LA. Contrary to developers' opinions, all growth is not good. We need wild places for our mental health and we need local small farms for our physical health. Please, give city and county government representatives and local conservation groups the chance to save this property for our future.
Mary Robinson
Spokane
I have witnessed development without concern for the character and health of a place, growing up in Southern California in the 50's and 60's. We came to Spokane 30 years ago, pulled by the established neighborhoods with parks and natural spaces abounding. What makes a difference in a community is its shared space and history, not the mansions of its occupants. Please preserve this historic and beautiful space.
Judy McMillan
Cheney
Farmland is under increasing threat from development in Spokane County. Those of us who operate small family farms are pressured by development all around us. Trespass, complaints about ordinary farm practices, increased property values without any possibility of increased income from farming, more pressure from the county to justify open space/ag status. and on and on. There is a dangerous disconnect from where food comes from all around our nation.
Bobbie Riley
Spokane
Developers don't have long term commitments to the areas they build on. Once the structures are built and they get paid they don't care what happens to it. Why would we trust their opinion on flood mitigation and land development? They wouldn't be the ones living in the flooded house they build. Protect this area from development and use it for growing nutritious local food for local residents of Spokane.
Friends of the Bluff
Spokane
This land is a priceless jewel. It should be conserved.
Walt Kloefkorn
Springdale
You cannot say that you are working to create a more resilient, locally-based food system if you do not preserve the best land in proximity to population centers. We've been "developing" good farmland close to markets for far too long and must stop.
lois barnett
Port Townsend
Washington State needs all of the healthy farm land it can preserve! Healthy neighbors = healthy Life.
Debbie Stempf
Spokane
Please don't lose this opportunity to save productive, local farmland within the city of Spokane. We need these local resources for food security in changing times.
Thank you for securing the Vinegar Flats Farmland forever.
Jørgen Rasmussen
Otis Orchards
Keep current, Go Solar, Drive Electric.
Barb Brock
Spokane
My old Iowa farmer dad believed in good "land" stewardship, always leaving a farm prettier than he found it. His best advice regarding natural places was to CHERISH IT because "They are NOT making any more land."
Karina Dautenhahn
Spokane
Deborah Di Bernardo
Spokane
If we don't save this, if we keep developing each little piece - where the hell are we going to grow food? It can't all be about making money.
Cerena Mary Lauren
Spokane, WA
I live in Vinegar Flats and care deeply about the preservation of this beautiful farm land. Preserving this precious land is critical for so many reasons. Please consider the long term effects of this decision on our community.
Anne Stephenson
Spokane
Please preserve the farms and their families by preserving their land. They are and
will be working to help feed our families, preserve greatly needed open land and
biodiversity.
Ms. Smith
Spokane
We need to preserve our community's natural resources; Spokane is growing and it is time to stop the sprawl that has destroyed the North side of Spokane. I want to live in a community that has leaders whom are forward thinking and not reactionary to growth. Long term land conservation will only improve our city, not destroy it and turn it into more sub-divisions and strip malls. We don't need another Eagle Ridge destroying our precious open-spaces.
Kathryn Alexander
Spokane
This farm land is a precious treasure that once gone is gone forever. It’s very existence feeds the heart and soul of our city and it will continue to do so. If it is covered in concrete, metal and glass it only supports those that live there. Please, keep our farmland healthy!
Laurie Fleming
Spokane
During the growing season, I shop at the local farmers markets for the majority of my produce. I know I am buying quality and nutritious food, plus it helps support the local economy. This is a very important part of bringing better health to the people of Spokane and the surrounding areas. Local farms also bring together community; whereas big food production disconnects people, harms our environment, and provides poor outcomes in health.
Footehills Farm
Colbert
I see good farmland disappearing daily! This piece within city limits can not only proved critical food but also teach future farmers. Don’t pass up this chance to save irreplaceable land like this!
Cara
Mead, WA
The one thing that really resonates with me is that once this farmland is gone and covered over with houses or any other non-food production usage, it's gone forever. We have very little non-big-agriculture food production near Spokane. Please help to preserve this small piece for the future food security of the area.
Kathleen Johnson Hart
Spokane
Ashley Cavallaro
Spokane Valley
Elizabeth Smith
Spokane
Thank you for considering.
Kerry Whitsitt
Spokane
Small farmland is being gobbled up in every community in the country. We may realize too late, how these local farms are the backbone of an important part of our economy, building sustainability, providing fresh, local, organic produce and other products to our community and maintaining a livelihood for those who farm the land. Losing this vital land to a 94 unit development is short sighted and doesn't help or improve the neighborhood and it's residents.
Rachelle Flatt
Spokane Valley
We have many developments please save Vinegar Flatts
Pamala Martin
Chattaroy
I have lived right next to The Little Spokane River in a rural area for 30 years and can't imagine if my little bit of heaven was annexed and turned into housing. Seeing undeveloped land and her nature is priceless!
Jessica Schultz
Spokane
The expansion of urban development into rural landscape is economically and environmentally irresponsible. As a graduate student, I have the unique opportunity to study the impact development of potential agriculture or conservation land has on the regional community, and all my research concludes the same way: housing expansion into fertile, farmable land results in food insecurities, environmental degradation resulting in negative economic impacts on regional and global communities, and local community disconnect from the land resulting in a sense of nonpossession and irresponsibility for the land, to name a few. As a researcher, I strongly encourage the development of the Deep Pine Overlook to be reconsidered and the land to instead be put towards land that will lead to a stronger community economically, environmentally, and socially.
Jasmine Kilpatrick
Spokane
Diane Stutzman; Desert Jewels Nursery
Spokane
Retaining prime farmland is essential to the Spokane area's food security.
We need to keep housing OUT of flood zones as well!
Christy Himmelright
Spokane
I usually add thoughts that weren’t expressed in the main letter, but this one is a shining example of coherence and completeness. Please, I beg of you, LISTEN to all it has to say. We have never needed open land more than now.
Stephanie Watson
Spokane, WA
Norman T. Baker, PhD
Sequim
Donovan Arnold DeLeon
Spokane
Emily Kanally
Spokane Valley
Ellen Weiser
Spokane
Save the farmland. So much has been lost already. I remember the great carrots that used to be grown & now it’s a grocery store & a parking lot.
Ralph Tibbetts
Spokane Co.
Robin Kaswick
Spokane
This is a very sensitive ecological area. Please protect instead of more growth
Grant Weber Vets on the Farm
Spokane
Julie M Pomerantz
Spokane
Elyse Hochstadt
Spokane
It is imperative we maintain our open spaces and farmlands to retain the heart of Spokane. Local farming is an economic boon for our area, keeping our dollars in our communities and maintaining the knowledge of self-sufficiency. Further these lands are vital in the states published efforts to remain climate resilient. We know razing land for development undermines those goals and inevitably produces more greenhouse gasses through construction and increased miles driven by residents. Let's not look back in regret but be bold enough to envision a better future.
Patricia Berrios
Spokane
This is ground breaking for cities of this size. Spokane can lead the way in helping cities see that prosperity and slowing urban sprawl va go together. It can lead to businesses and communities working to improve previously abandoned buildings and neglected areas as well as create a unique and beautiful community that benefits from its green spaces.
Sustainable Food Colloquium
Spokane
ALL thoughtful residents of the Spokane region know that accessible healthy food is critical for our future. It is therefor CRITICAL to preserve the fertile Vinegar Flats Farmland.
Susan Roberts
Spokane
Have lived in this area for 15 years and am very lucky to have such a area for all to enjoy. Hiking, fishing and creek access. Even saw a couple of kayakers on the creek a couple of days ago.
Kristin & Jeremy Day
Spokane, WA
Charlotte Thacker
Spokane
Please, Do this for our children, grandchildren, their grandchildren, and for US.
Elaine Snouwaert
Spokane
There are so many reasons to preserve this land for our community as stated in this letter. But additionally this is an opportunity to also create creek access in line with the goals of the Shoreline Management Plan. I truly believe one on the reasons this creek is undervalued is because people don't have access points to experience it and see it for its own beauty.
Brandee Givens
Spokane Valley
Crysta Thomas
Spokane
This is crucial to the future of spokane and the residents.
Melissa Demsky
Nine Mile Falls
Karl W Hipple
Spokane Valley
I am a life long conservationist. I was born and raised on a small farm in PA and saw the benefit of saving land from development. Several of the towns and cities I have lived in have sacrificed the green areas of town and around town for the tax dollars of development. These areas are unable to be reclaimed once they are gone. Please don't let Spokane join the areas where the beautiful, historic lands are developed and then begin to search for large areas where folks can recreate, learn from the local farmers, and even buy fresh fruits a vegetables in their own back yard. These areas have benefits that are more valuable than a few tax dollars and the tax revenues turn in to tax expenditures when the areas become blighted and rundown.
Andrea Cockey
Spokane Wa
We need to preserve this farmland. Please do everything in your power to do so.
Maria Ulbricht
Spokane
There are so many other places in Spokane for developers to leach from. Please leave this prime farmland to be acquired by the community and support the community.
Matt Blaine
Spokane
Should this piece of land be developed, the city will never again have access to farmland or riverbank this close to downtown ever again. I worked on the last piece of farmland left in Seattle with the Fremont Public Association. Luckily someone had the foresight to keep that piece of land as farmland, with south Seattle constantly developing all around it, even paving over parts of the Duwamish river. Please make this piece of land a priority. Since 1981, We already lost the 5 mile prairie even after it was identified as prime farmland by the county commissioners.
Jessica Parker
Spokane
We must preserve our land and provide fresh healthy air and food to our local community. By preserving this farmland, this will provide recreation, healthy food and add to the surrounding community. Do not destroy our farmland, add more pollution to our air and eliminate a drawing force of the Pacific Northwest, our lands, by putting in a housing development! Thank you!
Mark A. Olson
Spokane, WA
Adam Gebauer
Spokane
Preserving farm land, particularly along Hangman Creek, is critically important to preserve cultural and ecological aspects of our landscape. This land can be an educational touch point for the community as well as opening up western access to the natural area of the bluff.
Elizabeth Smith
Spokane
Thank you for your consideration - add my voice to the hundreds of others.
Gil VanBrocklin
Spokane Valley
I think it is imperative that we as citizens start to preserve lands with these unique qualities for the future generations who will come to see our wisdom in its preservation. If we don't then the value of pristine land that nature and careful stewardship can use for all will be lost. I pray we don't let that happen to ourselves or those who come after us.
Siobhan Collier
Spokane Valley
Stephanie Watson
Spokane
We must preserve our connection to Nature, public access to natural spaces/trail systems, preserve class 1 farm soils and arable farmland, and foster educational centers in the place we call home. The Deep Pine Overlook housing complex is not suitable for new development and preserving this Kampa Farm space, restoring the riparian habitat, while showcasing the history of the people, animals, and plants native to Spokane, is crucial for our city, county, and the future of the Latah/Hangman Valley.
Rebecca Chesterman
Spokane
Brian Porter
Lakewood
I grew up in Spokane, and I intend on moving back. I think there's a real opportunity to connect people back to the land. I would love to see a farm school or something like that in spokane. There's plenty of models that combine farming and education, and I've taught in programs that offer these kinds of opportunities.
Blessing Farm and Forest
Spokane
When we destroy land we can never get it back. We should be building with density in mind.
Maria Vandervert
Spokane
Please save this space as farmland. It is truly needed.
Melinda Sauder
Sandpoint, ID
Steve Sauder
Sandpoint, ID
Heather Villa
Spokane
We live right above the area and it is a gem to behold below us!