Water, agritourism, solar farms, growth probed at annual Ag summit

Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen got the first word and Congressman Rick Larsen the last at the 6th annual Ag Summit hosted by Washington State University Skagit County Extension Feb. 11.

The hybrid event, with lunch for those attending in-person, offered updates on everything from the county-sponsored farmland legacy and voluntary stewardship programs to new state rules for agricultural overtime pay.

Water was a key topic.

Skagit River water use is regulated by the Department of Ecology’s instream flow rule, protecting aquatic species and natural processes. When there is an instream flow...