A Heartfelt Tribute across generations of farm families at the 2026 Our Valley Our Future Breakfast
Dave Hedlin, Kim Rubenstein, and Jeff Hughes at SPF's 2026 Our Valley Our Future Breakfast. Photo by Crowell Photography.
We are touched by the outpouring of support at this year's Our Valley Our Future Business Breakfast, held Wednesday morning, June 10th, 2026.
The love in the room was palpable as Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) celebrated the work of preservation of Skagit farmland for farming, and honored individuals and families who lay the foundation for and actively take part in that preservation.
That morning of Wednesday, June 10th, 2026, SPF honored Dave Hedlin and Serena Campbell for Community Legacy in Agriculture, The Hughes Family for Inspiration in Agriculture, and Mount Vernon Christian School Senior Sydney Fitzgerald for Future Achievement in Agriculture.
The morning kicked off to a sold-out crowd with a spirited talk given by Dr. Kevin Murphy from Washington State University's Breadlab, speaking on the themes of collaboration in local agriculture through the Breadlab's work in developing climate-resilient and healthful grains grown right here in Skagit.
Dr. Kevin Murphy from WSU's Breadlab presenting the Keynote, "Breading Specialty Grains and Community Involvement." Photo by Crowell Photography.
Dave Hedlin and Serena Campbell, who are this year’s SPF 2026 Legacy in Agriculture awardees, are well-known across the region for their lifelong advocacy for the importance of farmland preservation in Skagit. As farmers growing crops at the edge of the town of La Conner, they observed how important it is to grow food for one’s community, and respond to development pressures that threaten that same fertile food-producing land. They understand that protecting farmland not only keeps farmers in business, but gives the support services to those farmers—the equipment retailers, farm suppliers, processors, and distributors—the confidence to maintain and build a business in Skagit.
Left to Right: Bob Rose (retired ED of SPF), Arne Hedlin, Serena Campbell, Dave Hedlin, Mikala Staples Hughes. Photo by Crowell Photography.
As founding members of SPF in 1989, Dave and Serena were instrumental in the establishment of the 40 acre minimum lot size, the Right to Farm ordinance, and the grassroots movement that led to the creation of Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program, through which 15,000 acres of Skagit farmland are now protected from development. In early 2026, Dave retired from the SPF board after an incredible 37 years of service. Current SPF board member Bryn Hulbert Phillips introduced their award with a personal story of their generous mentorship to her early in her own agricultural career; their steady commitment to demonstrate new ideas and answer questions, all the while farming year-round.
Click below to watch the SPF Video about Dave Hedlin and Serena Campbell.
Bryn Hulbert Phillips, SPF Board member, shares a tribute to Dave Hedlin and Serena Campbell as Lora Claus, SPF Executive Director, looks on. Photo by Crowell Photography.
That leading by example is a hallmark of the Hughes Family, too, this year's Inspiration in Agriculture recipients, who were recognized for their generational support for Skagit agriculture and their commitment to public service in the community. Today, nine members of the third, fourth, and fifth generations of Hughes family are owners and partners in the family business, working together to manage the land, equipment, crops, and workforce needed for a large farm to succeed. Each member has a defined role, as well as access to the deep knowledge base of fellow family members to lean on for decision-making. The family has served across generations in the community among civic and agricultural organizations as well, from Western Washington Agricultural Association, Skagit County Planning Commission, the Dike and Drainage Commission, local school boards, and as long-serving volunteers for the fire department. They are intentionally visible in showing their lives as Skagit farmers, knowing the importance of how the Skagit Valley’s agricultural community is perceived by the public. “They were early adopters of understanding how we share the story of Skagit agriculture,” says Blake Van Roekel of Genuine Skagit Valley, a consumer awareness program promoting Skagit Valley agricultural goods and services, which has collaborated with Hughes Farms.
Click below to watch the SPF Video about the Hughes Family.
Still from the Hughes Family video created by SPF to showcase the family's contributions to Skagit agriculture. Photo by Crowell Photography.
Sydney Fitzgerald, a Senior at Mount Vernon Christian School is this year's recipient of the Future Achievement in Agriculture Scholarship. A fourth-generation farmer, leader in her high school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, and an accomplished 4H participant in raising market lambs since age 8, Sydney’s drive is recognized by all who know her. Through the FFA’s Agricultural Mechanics division, she discovered her other love: welding. “Welding is not just a skill set, it’s also an art form,” she says. “There are so many different directions you can go into (with welding). Besides agriculture, there’s a lot of machinery in Skagit Valley. Tractors, trailers, old equipment, especially on family farms like ours.” With both utility and creativity in mind, Sydney is poised for a promising future in welding, attending Skagit Valley College’s welding program in the Fall.
Click below to watch the SPF Video about Sydney Fitzgerald.
SPF Executive Director, Lora Claus with Future Achievement in Agriculture Scholarship recipient Sydney Fitzgerald. Photo by Crowell Photography.
Skagitonians is grateful to these incredibly dedicated families and individuals who work so hard to bring attention to the urgency of preserving Skagit’s precious farmland. We are grateful to each and every one of our supporters who share in this mission, as well. We thank those of you who joined us on this special morning in person and all of you who were there in spirit. Thank you.