Leasing State Trust Lands for Agriculture
State Trust lands have been leased for agriculture and grazing by Washington’s Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands for more than 100 years, offering opportunities to farmers and ranchers, orchardists, grape growers, other public agencies, and more. We work with our lessees to see that appropriate investments are made in the lands to keep them ecologically sustainable and more productive and, in doing so, also protect public resources such as water, fish and wildlife.
Washington State continues to be a major contributor of agricultural goods to domestic and international markets, ranking 12th nationally. The 1.1 million acres of state trust lands are a sizeable participant in our economy. The Common School trust is the main beneficiary—which helps fund construction on kindergarten through 12th grade public schools statewide. This funding does not come from taxes! We work with our lessees to gain the highest economically feasible return for the lessees and trusts.
How Do I Lease State Trust Lands for Agriculture or Grazing?
sample Documents
For the public auctions, we will post leases that are being offered, or previous leases that have expired. Below are examples of some of the documents that would be posted for each lease.
Lease Auction Results
- Grazing/Dryland Ag Lease #12-08166 went to public auction January 22, 2013. Joshua Hanning was the successful bidder.
- Grazing/Dryland Ag Lease #12-08167 went to public auction January 22, 2013. Mike and Carrie Backman were the successful bidders.
- Grazing/Dryland Ag Lease #12-08168 went to public auction January 22, 2013. Sunny Sands Farms was the successful bidder.
- Grazing/Dryland Ag Lease #12-08169 went to public auction January 22, 2013. Sunny Sands Farms was the successful bidder.
- Irrigated Agriculture Lease #12-B69125 went to public auction January 16, 2013. Bob and Kathy Lenz were the sucessful bidders.
- Irrigated Agriculture Lease #12-088784 went to public auction January 14, 2013. MTA Farms, LLC was the successful bidder.
- Irrigated Cash Lease #12-088961 went to public auction January 11, 2013. Calaway Company was the successful bidder.
- Irrigated Agriculture Lease # 12-A74381 went to public auction November 15, 2012. Herring Farms Inc. and TW Herring Farms, LLC were the successful bidders.
- Irrigated Agriculture or Orchard Vineyard Lease # 12-A74300 went to public auction November 15, 2012. Yakima Valley Orchards was the successful bidder.
- Irrigated Agriculture Lease # 12-A73504 went to public auction November 16, 2012. Greenridge Farming Inc. was the successful bidder.
- Irrigated Agriculture Lease # 12-088961 went to public auction on November 16, 2012. No bids were received.
- Dryland Cash Lease #12-085707 went to public auction on October 31, 2012. Scott Lindberg was the successful bidder.