The Washington State Conservation Commission toured the fast-growing north Puget Sound area last week, and farmer Dan Bartelheimer had something to tell it.

“This agricultural land needs to be protected and kept intact,” said Bartelheimer, president of the Snohomish County Farm Bureau.

The simple message won’t be easy to carry out. The county’s agricultural sector has been losing ground to private development and government projects. The first stop on the commission’s tour was a former dairy that will become a city park.

Snohomish Conservation Districtwas recently awarded the state Auditor’s Stewardship Award for “outstanding accomplishment in the stewardship of public resources.”

Photo courtesy of the Snohomish Conservation District.