The Great Peninsula Conservancy for $1.79 million has acquired the Petersen Farm, securing 142 acres of prime agricultural land and vital salmon habitat in Clear Creek Valley.

The property will become part of an affordable farm leasing program, aimed at creating opportunities for beginning and underserved farmers.

“GPC’s mission is three-fold; protecting land, stewarding that land; and connecting people to nature. By securing the Petersen Farm we accomplish all three of those goals,” said Nathan Daniel, GPC executive director.

“First, we will reactivate high-quality Kitsap farmland. Second, we will restore salmon habitat in Clear Creek. And third, we will extend the Clear Creek Trail northward, allowing trail users to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of spending time outside.

“This acquisition is a win for conservation, salmon habitat protection, and local farm preservation efforts.”

The property features 80 acres of prime agricultural soils, which is large by Kitsap County standards. The farm’s central location just off of the Trigger Avenue exit along Highway 3 makes the farm ideally located for low-impact agricultural production. The farm was identified as a priority area by the Kitsap Farmland Preservation Coalition in 2023.

The farm boasts 3,000 feet of salmon-bearing Clear Creek, providing essential habitat for various species, including coho, chum, cutthroat and historically limited runs of steelhead, which is listed as an endangered species.

GPC is partnering with the Suquamish Tribe to fund and implement stream restoration work. Projects include channel meanders, removal of reed canary grass, removal of artificial barriers (e.g., culverts) to fish passage and replanting with a diverse community of native trees and other vegetation.

“This is a rare opportunity to protect and restore salmon and steelhead habitat for future generations in a significant floodplain reach of Clear Creek that would provide refuge for salmon in a changing climate and from encroaching development,” said Rob Purser, Fisheries director with the tribe.

Additionally, the location adjacent to the Clear Creek Trail provides an opportunity for trail extension northward to Kegley Road, helping to better connect Central and North Kitsap communities. “GPC partners with Kitsap County to maintain much of the existing Clear Creek Trail, so extending the trail system makes sense,” Daniel said.

Christine Rolfes, chair of the county commissioners said: “The strategic acquisition of the Petersen Farm has been a long time in the making. By preserving working farmland, protecting Clear Creek, and expanding trail access in central Kitsap County, GPC will greatly improve our community’s quality of life.”

The land’s farm history dates back to the 1880s, when it was homesteaded by the Levin and Holms families. Purchased in 1948 by the Petersens, the land remained a working farm for decades, first operating as a dairy and later raising beef cattle. With a passion for preserving the farm’s legacy, Gerald Petersen included instructions in his will that the land remain a working farm.

With the help of many community groups and individual donors, in 2014, GPC placed an agricultural conservation easement on a majority of the farm. “The easement protected the property from subdivision and development, but did little to activate the farm, restore Clear Creek, or extend the trail,” Daniel said.

The next stage of the farm will come in partnership with Kitsap Farmland Preservation Coalition, Kitsap Conservation District, WSU Kitsap County Extension, Business Impact NW, WA Farmland Trust and others to develop an affordable farm leasing program.

The $1,790,700 purchase was funded through a state loan program, along with contributions from the Petersen Estate and a major private donation. KCL and GPC will seek additional funds to repay the loan through grant programs and community support.

GPC is a nonprofit land trust working to protect the natural habitats, rural landscapes, and open spaces in Kitsap, North Mason and west Pierce counties. For details, go to www.greatpeninsula.org