Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Services Agreement with Thurston Conservation District for Urban Agriculture Services
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Services Agreement with Thurston Conservation District for urban agriculture services.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Services Agreement with Thurston Conservation District for urban agriculture services.
Staff Contact:
Sylvana Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning and Maintenance, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
None
Background and Analysis:
Thurston Conservation District (TCD) educates and assists Thurston County residents in managing natural resources. For three years, TCD has partnered with Olympia to deliver urban agriculture services. This includes:
• Building and maintaining community gardens
• Linking vacant landowners to growers
• Providing workshops and on-site technical education to gardeners
The 2025-2029 proposed contract will provide five years of support to existing community gardens and gardeners throughout Olympia and build additional gardens on suitable sites. The contract also supports urban farmland preservation and connection through the Farm My Yard program. The City of Olympia staff will continue to operate and maintain the Sunrise Park and Yauger Park community gardens and TCD will provide technical assistance to gardeners. The contract will not supplant existing resources allocated to the City’s operated community gardens but rather provide additional resources to support urban agriculture.
This contract supports long-range goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan:
• GL25 Local Thurston County food production is encouraged and supported to increase self-sufficiency, reduce environmental impact, promote health, and the humane treatment of animals, and support the local economy.
• PL25.3 Collaborate with community partners to ensure that everyone within Olympia is within biking or walking distance of a place to grow food.
• PL25.4 Encourage for-profit gardening and farming in the community.
• PL25.8 Work with community organizations to develop strategies, measure, and set goals for increasing local food production.
• PL25.9: Work with local governments throughout the region to help protect existing agricultural lands and develop and promote a vibrant local food economy.
• PR9.1 Provide opportunities that promote a mentally and physically active lifestyle and healthy food choices, including participation in local food production.
• PN8.7 Reduce energy use and the environmental impact of our food system by encouraging local food production.
Climate Analysis:
Thurston Conservation District provides technical and educational assistance focused on conservation, sustainability, and stewardship. For example, TCD is a subject matter expert on regenerative agriculture, helping growers adapt to climate change and lessen the carbon impact of agriculture.
Equity Analysis:
Thurston Conservation District provides services at little or no cost to residents. This support is vital to growers and consumers, as it provides nourishing food for households throughout Olympia.
The 2025-2029 contract will support the gardens at all three tiny home villages and Community Court, offering vulnerable individuals opportunities to cultivate their own produce. For example, residents of the Plum Street Tiny Home Village have conveyed they appreciate access to fresh produce and a greater sense of community through participation in the garden programs. Additionally, these gardens have become therapeutic spaces for individuals undergoing rehabilitation, potentially enhancing both mental and physical well-being.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Olympia residents have shown support for urban agriculture in a variety of public surveys, including more recent surveys and public engagement through the Urban Farm Park Feasibility Study in 2023.
Financial Impact:
The contract amount is $51,800 per year for five years for a total of $259,000. The source of revenue is the general fund portion allocated to the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (also referred to as the “11% general fund”).
Options:
1. Move to approve the resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Services Agreement with Thurston Conservation District for urban agriculture services for five years.
2. Modify the resolution for urban agriculture services resulting in more or less support for the Community Gardens and Farm My Yard programs.
3. Don’t approve the Resolution for urban agriculture services which would result in a loss of resources for the Community Gardens and Farm My Yard programs that would jeopardize the success of these programs.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement
Scope of Work