Lopez Island: Jones Family Farm

Lopez Island residents, Nick and Sara Jones have operated an organic farm for the past two years. Customers have used a cash box and the honor system to purchase seafood and beef from a small farm stand near the road. The Jones Family Farm was running smoothly until two weeks ago when Nick received a letter from San Juan County. The county wants Nick to upgrade his stand to comply with commercial building codes--including upgrading handicap access. Nick estimates the commercial upgrades to cost approximately $25,000.

San Juan County has harassed Nick and Sara Jones to the point where they have finally given up. What has happened to their small retail farmstand? Thanks to the San Juan County Council, they are closed.

For more information visit: http://www.myfreedomfoundation.com
Donate: https://donate.myfreedomfoundation.com/contributeCAN.php

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• san juan
• county
• council
• Lovel Pratt
• Rich Peterson
• Howie Rosenfeld
• Richard Fralick
• Patty Miller
• Jamie Stephens

[ChangeWA]

San Juan County didn't order the Jones Farm closed! Instead, what the county has is an unpredictable process that they say upfront, "We'll work with you." read: pay a permit fee, get into the process, and San Juan County will then have an ever-growing list of requirements--that will bankrupt people like Nick and Sara.

Nick was smart to not engage in an endless, unpredictable and costly process. As he says, he was unwilling to write a blank check to the county.

[vtskierdave]

Posters defending the bureaucrats here are full of it! Sounds like they have too many inspectors and the regulations to keep them busy and employed. Is there a local food sovereignty movement or is Washington just shilling for the processed food industry that would like us all to buy only their adulterated crap? Read Joel Salatin's excellect book "Everything I want to do is Illegal" for many other examples of government run amok.

[govtharmsyou]

The folk enforcing these ever-increasing rules, restrictions, and harmful policies are doing nothing for the "environment." They just support these ridiculous policies because they can use these policies to increase their power, money, and control. It is pretty simple. Then, they outsource to the "Friends" of San Juans the function of neighborhood spy and self-ordained thought police. With "Friends" like this who needs enemies?

[ziafrost]

@robertsmoto They didn't

[ziafrost]

@robertsmoto They didn't

[robertsmoto]

@ziafrost Why did the County harass him until he finally gave up and closed his farm stand?

[Msradell]

Maybe they should read a little bit about the ADA before opening their mouth! Teddy bears this open to the public has to be accessible, questions not allowed. They could build a ramp into that building for less than $500! I don't know what kind of research they're doing or why they're trying to jack the price up so much. But as they want to be open baby to be accessible!

[ziafrost]

Why did he turn down an offer from a construction company for a free building?

[lartan33]

@olliojenarter:

I know this because I am from Lopez and I have personal ties with the council. I am being honest and I am not against Nick or anything, but there is no absolute way the council would lie!

True, I may not know completely 100%, but I do know the truth.

Ok, I'm done arguing here...

[olliojenarter]

@lartan33

1. How would you know the 100% truth? We are turning into a society that is more and more resembling the fictional future in the book "1984", but you are correct that it's not currently 1984

2. His farm is not closed, his farm stand is. So again how on earth would you know what's true or false here?

3. The City Council needs no help to look bad and how do you know the truth again?

[MyFreedomChannel]

I'm sorry that this family had to shut down their farm stand. I also believe that these bureaucrats cannot enforce a permit on a private home bible study - that's unconstitutional on both fronts!