Part 1
The Puyallup Valley has long been a regional center for agricultural activity, thanks to the presence of fine soils comprised of silt and sand that were deposited during the historic meandering and regular flooding of the Puyallup River. Today, the valley leads Washington State in the production of cabbage, lettuce, green onion, radishes and many other vegetables, berry fruits and nursery plants (Barney & Worth and Globalwise, 2006).
can range from $50,000 to $1 million per acre, well above the economic value of most agricultural land. Fortunately, the location and nature of agricultural lands in the watershed also presents many opportunities for local agriculture. Conditions in the floodplains are excellent for growing produce, and many farmers have been able to capitalize on their proximity to the large, urban Puget Sound market (Barney & Worth and Globalwise, 2006).
Like many other regions in the United States, agricultural land in the Puyallup Watershed today faces a number of challenges, notably a decline in the number and size of commercial farms and food processors, accompanied by a reduction farm employment. Flooding remains a major concern for Puyallup Valley farmers. In addition, according to a recent report, current prices of capital (land, buildings, equipment, operating expenses etc.) present a significant barrier to new farmers in Pierce County. In the Puyallup Valley, for example, the price of land
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The Puyallup River Watershed: An Ecological Economic Characterization