Submitted by the San Juan Makers Guild

If you own or manage a farm or food system business, we need your help to fill knowledge gaps and help local housing efforts better address the housing needs and challenges of local farm and food businesses in the San Juan Islands.

Your survey responses help identify and quantify actual housing challenges and contribute to finding viable solutions that meet our local food system needs.

Take the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/sanjuanfoodsystemhousing.

Fourteen local food systems and affordable housing organizations have formed a pro-active housing research initiative to address workforce impacts of the housing crisis in the islands. The initiative’s goal is to understand needs and proactively identify potential solutions that address food-related employee housing needs.

The Farm and Food System Housing Study are being conducted with advice from the San Juan Islands Agriculture Guild, The County Agriculture Resource Committee, The Food System Team, WSU Extension, the San Juan Makers Guild, OPAL Community Land Trust, Lopez Community Land Trust, Lopez Affordable Housing, Orcas Community Resource Center, Lopez Family Resource Center, Sobel Family Resource Center, County Health, Housing and Community Services, Orcas Food Coop and One Island Sustainable Living.

This project is funded in part through the USDA’s Regional Food System Partnership and the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. The study consultant is Monaghan Consulting in Seattle.