The scope of this project is to purchase a conservation easement on the 80-ac Stennes farm in the lower Methow Valley. The Stennes family originally purchased the land as a homestead over 100 years ago and has been farming the land for 4 generations. The Stennes’ grow organic pears on orchards covering 45 acres of the site. In addition to farmland, the property contains important riparian, riverfront (0.5 mile section of the Methow River) and shrub-steppe and provides habitat for threatenend and endandered species, including 3 salmonid species, bald eagles, and western gray squirrels.
Current zoning for the property is 1-acre minimum. The proposed conservation easement will permanently prohibit development of additional homesites and will protect valuable farmland soils, as well as riparian and shrub-steppe habitat. Without conservation easement protection, the economic realities of farming and high land values would likely force the Stennes family to sell part or all of their farm. Ensuing development would destroy the farmland, rural character, habitat, and scenic views.
The project is part of a farmland protection partnership with Okanogan Co. and the Methow Conservancy, a local land trust. These two organizations have partnered on two FPP-funded projects in previous years. The project is also supported by other community groups, including the Lower Methow Advisory Group.