The 78th Street Heritage Farm plan is committed to sustainability

Clark County’s agricultural gem, the 78th Street Heritage Farm, could function more as an agriculture-oriented community park in the future.

For almost four years, the county council struggled with what to do with the 79-acre parcel and how to make it financially viable. The county-owned land is home to the Washington State University Clark County Extension, which offers several on-farm programs including agricultural research, 4-H activities, youth programs, food workshops and business development.

County staff recommend combining agricultural uses of the land with recreational opportunities, said Rocky Houston, who manages the county’s parks and lands department.

“In this alternative, recreational areas would be separated from active agricultural areas by purposeful design, likely involving fencing and landscaping. This alternative proposes the use of a general fund, a Metropolitan Park District fund, improvements to the land lease program, a fee-for-service program, targeted fundraising through Friends of Heritage Farm, and expanded grant opportunities for recreation, agriculture and education,” Houston said . an email dated April 15.