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Harvest time on the La Conner flats is months away, but the time is ripe now to cultivate goodwill.

That was the prevailing theme at the annual La Conner Rotary Club Farmers and Merchants Night dinner and program Monday at Maple Hall.

The event, which underscores the club's ongoing mission of public service and education support, was attended by more than 100 people representing the local agricultural and commercial sectors plus government leadership.

"We're a hands-on service club," La Conner Rotary President Connie Milliken said. "We invest in community service, literacy and public health."

And public dialogue.

Keynote speakers included Mayor Marna Hanneman, La Conner School Superintendent Dr. Wil Nelson, Washington State University Skagit County Extension Director Don McMoran and Port of Skagit Executive Director Sara Young.

"It takes a village," Hanneman insisted, citing the teamwork necessary to see key goals through to fruition.

"I'm known as the walker in town," said Hanneman, who twice daily loops La Conner. "That's where I get a lot of my information."

Hanneman said synergy among residents, business owners, farmers, the port and Swinomish Tribe make even the most ambitious initiatives possible.

"You live here and work here and that's what makes this a wonderful place," she said.

Hanneman said the town is employing public participation to tackle pressing issues such as attainable housing, infrastructure upgrades, traffic safety and parking congestion.

"We're a small town with a small staff but we have all the challenges of a big city," she said.

Elected last November to succeed retiring four-term mayor Ramon Hayes, Hanneman regularly attended town meetings and conferred with officials prior to assuming the town helm in January.

That was beneficial, she said. "Overall, it's been an amazing three months."

Hanneman addressed concerns regarding the vacant Moore-Clark warehouse, which she said encroaches on the town's S. First Street right-of-way.

"It's a process," Hanneman conceded. "It's been a process for a long time. We're in lawyer mode right now."

Nelson spoke to the value of education and maintaining an inclusive atmosphere on the La Conner School District campus.

"Everyone is important, and we want them all to be successful," Nelson said of La Conner students.

He shared the podium with La Conner Schools Director of Teaching and Learning Beth Clothier, who outlined the district's emphasis on social-emotional and mastery-based learning, and Deputy Superintendent/Finance Director David Cram. A grandfather was a La Conner farmer and school board member and his other was a longtime La Conner Rotarian.

Cram shared steps being taken to "right-size" the school district budget amid declining student enrollment, which determines state funding support.

Cram said the district projects 460 K-12 full-time students in 2024-25, down from around 600 pupils prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was the district's finance chief before taking similar positions in larger school districts. He returned despite the tough budget scenario.

"One of the reasons I came back was my love of this community," he said. "I'm excited about the direction we're going. We're creating great opportunities for our kids."

The district started the 2023-24 academic year with only $25,000 in the bank, Cram said. It now projects a fund balance of about $600,000 by summer, the result of difficult personnel cuts and expansion of duties by staff and administrators.

The $600,000 figure represents 5% of the district budget, roughly half of the school board's reserve fund goal.

McMoran grew up on his family's 2,000-acre farm east of La Conner. He described how the valley's agricultural landscape has changed from a region that grew oats for Europe during World War I to its leadership today in potatoes, bulbs and organic crops.

He gave shoutouts to dairyman Alan Mesman and organic grower David Hedlin.

"The Mesmans have a fabulous farm," McMoran said. "They're doing everything they can the right way." Hedlin "is at the forefront of organic production."

McMoran updated the status of 15 major agricultural pursuits in Skagit County, blending humorous asides with hard data.

"I'm so grateful," said McMoran, "that we get to celebrate our farmers."

Young spelled out priority projects at The Port of Skagit, whose properties include the 500-slip La Conner Marina and commercial and industrial acreage at the north end of town.

"'Optimize' is the word of the year for the La Conner Marina," she said.

Ken Stern

Skagit County Washington State University Extension Director Don McMoran speaks at the La Conner Rotary Club's annual Farmer Merchant Dinner Monday evening in Maple Hall.

In 2022, Port staff sought public input for long-range redevelopment of the marina, which opened more than 50 years ago.

Echoing Hanneman's advocacy of teamwork, Young said plans for the 12-acre commercial area south of the marina's industrial zone will require private and public buy-ins.

"The timing on this is dependent upon private investment," she said of the Port's marina redevelopment plans.

Young highlighted marina tenant Mavrik Marine for its on-site construction of catamaran ferries for use on San Francisco Bay.

"We have some phenomenal boat builders on port property," she said.

La Conner Rotarians thanked the evening's speakers and local farmers and merchants for their participation in Monday's format.

"We thank you for all you do to make this the best place in the world to live and work," said master of ceremonies Doug Moore, a Rotary Club committee chair.