Okanogan County and the Methow Conservancy propose to protect 49.57 acres of farmland located in the Methow Valley through a permanent conservation easement.  The proposed conservation easement will prevent subdivision, limit residential development and prevent loss of prime farmland on the Crown S Ranch while supporting the agricultural economy of Okanogan County. 

The Crown S Ranch is located two miles south of Winthrop and all farmland on the Ranch is certified organic.  The Ranch produces beef, hogs, turkeys, chickens, eggs and organic produce.  Because the property has easy access to Highway 20, and it has mountain views, privacy and flat ground, it is desirable for residential development.  Without easement protection it is highly likely that this property would be divided into up to ten home sites and productive farmland would be permanently lost.

The Crown S Ranch conservation easement provides a connection between four existing farmland conservation easements within the Winthrop-Twisp farm corridor.  The Methow Conservancy has been working to protect farmland in this priority area since 1998 and to date they hold easements on 1,868 acres within this corridor.  In 2005 the Methow Conservancy completed a Conservation Needs Assessment which identified the Winthrop-Twisp farm corridor as the top farmland protection priority in the watershed. Okanogan County and the Methow Conservancy have committed to work together to protect additional farmland within this corridor using private, state and federal funds.