In Special Recognition: Dave Hedlin

Dave Hedlin retires after 37 years as founding board member and of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland

It’s hard to put into words the impact Dave Hedlin and Serena Campbell, both, have had on Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF) and on the future of farming in Skagit County.  Without the two of them, and the other farming families that started SPF  in 1989, Skagit County would be a different place.  Instead of 15,000 acres of land under conservation easement, we’d have that 200-acre theme park that was proposed back in the 80’s, and a lot more pavement all over the valley.  Many counties to our south have lost their agricultural lands almost entirely.  The Skagit is different because people like Dave spoke up with their voice and their time and their dollars, to save farmland.  The continuation of farming has had far-reaching implications for our quality of life, the presence of wildlife, and the beauty and abundance that farming brings to our community.  This benefit has extended to our neighbors who come from urban communities like Vancouver and Seattle, who find rest and rejuvenation in our peaceful, working landscape.  Dave has exemplified one of our most important values: convening and collaborating, especially with folks who may not share the same opinion.  That kind of genuine outreach is getting rarer by the second, and it’s a model we can all learn from.  As Dave Hedlin says, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”  We are forever grateful for his 37 years of service on our board.