San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Farmland Property Proposed for Sale – REVISED

The San Juan County Conservation Conservation Land Bank is currently under contract to purchase the 122-acre property at 652 Halvorsen Road on San Juan Island. The Land Bank proposes to make a partial assignment of the easternmost 40-acre parcel and will concurrently purchase the adjoining 82 acres. (See maps below)

The purchase is due to close in late January of 2027. As part of the process for this acquisition, the Land Bank is now accepting proposals for the concurrent purchase of the 40 acres of farmland.

The Land Bank is seeking market value for the purchase, which with a conservation and trail easement is estimated to be $1.55M.

This parcel is well suited to agriculture with excellent soils and water, two residential structures, a 15,000 ft² barn with stables suitable for horses and room for an indoor riding arena, and several additional outbuildings which could accommodate a variety of uses. Currently, most of the acreage is in fenced pasture, but it is suited to growing crops as well.

The Land Bank seeks a buyer who wants to continue the agricultural heritage of the property that also provides community benefits. Proposals should clearly lay out goals for the future use of the farm, previous experience with farming and/or agricultural activities, how proposed agricultural activities will contribute to the local agricultural food system, proposed actions to follow closing for a 2-year timeframe, and a funding plan.

The property will be conveyed with a conservation easement to be held by the Land Bank limiting all residential construction to the northeastern 6.5-acre portion of the property, and with an access easement allowing non-motorized public access on a trail to the western 80 acres the Land Bank will retain. The Land Bank will fence and maintain the trail and will seek to preserve privacy for the farm.

Proposals should include a commitment to non-refundable  earnest money as of December 18, 2026 in the amount of $50,000.00, and a clear indication of the source of funding [cash, pre-approval letter, etc.] for the remainder of the purchase price to be paid at closing.

Proposals should be submitted in written form by the end of day on Friday, December 4, 2026. The Land Bank Commission will then conduct a review of all proposals and make a recommendation for acceptance at their monthly meeting on Friday, December 11, 2026. Staff will then negotiate final details with the party selected no later than January 7, 2026.

Upon final agreement, the Land Bank will do a partial assignment of the purchase and sale agreement for the 40 acres by Wednesday January 7, 2027 at the latest.

How to Submit Proposals:

Email Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or Mail: 350 Court Street, No. 6, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Questions?

Email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or call the Land Bank Office : 360-378-4402