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CASTANEA ASSOCIATES |
Allison Aurand |
Cultivating Your Future |
Castanea Associates was founded in 2007 by Allison Aurand to provide technical and policy support on agricultural and rural issues to government agencies, non-profit organizations, and individuals. These services include farm succession planning for farm families, conservation strategies for communities and individuals, rural land use planning and policy development, lobbying, and community education strategies for rural issues. Castanea Associates expanded its services in 2008 with the addition of partner Erick Aurand. The company now offers assistance in obtaining local, state, and federal agency permits; mitigation project design, development, and implementation; construction project coordination and management; and drainage, stormwater, and natural watercourse management. |
As Director of Skagit County's Farmland Legacy Program |
As Project & Outreach Specialist for American Farmland Trust's Mid-Atlantic Regional Office |
More than doubled the acreage in the County's purchase of development rights program Engaged key participants in the agricultural community "Branded" the program, including development of all educational materials and information about the PDR program Hosted numerous policy conferences and events, as well as business planning workshops Established a private funding source for the PDR program Developed Senate Bill 5108, creating the Office of Farmland Preservation. Served as primary advocate for the Office of Farmland Preservation prior to and during the 2007 legislative session. Developed outreach materials and factsheets related to the Office of Farmland Preservation. Attended all committee and sub-committee hearings on the Office of Farmland Preservation, and provided technical support on farmland preservation and farm succession issues to bill sponsors, other legislators, and interested organizations Developed Comprehensive Plan policies as part of the 2005 GMA Update to encourage the long-term success of Skagit agriculture and complementary protection of agricultural lands. In conjunction with the Agricultural Advisory Board, developed more restrictive and protective zoning regulations for agriculturally-zoned land with an eye to enhancing business viability while protecting the soil resource |
As Project Manager, Skagit County Public Works |
Erick Aurand |
"Skilled at finding creative solutions to complex design and permitting problems" |
AREAS OF SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE Civil Engineering Project Design Hydrologic / Hydraulic Analysis Environmental Mitigation |
Designed and oversaw construction of multiple public works infrastructure improvement projects Prepared, facilitated and obtained local, state and federal environmental and land use permits for proposed projects Acted as a liaison to other jurisdictions, dike and drainage districts, tribal groups, state and federal agencies Provided County staff with expert advice on hydraulic / hydrologic calculations and analysis, proposed private and public construction projects, and general engineering questions Interpreted and implemented existing policies that affect drainage, bank erosion and flooding Recommend policies and procedures to Planning Commission and other entities Successfully negotiated with state and federal agencies appropriate mitigation for often controversial projects Developed a unique rapport with citizens and organizations - represented Skagit County as "The Drainage Guy" Conducted field investigations of drainage concerns, analyzed the hydrology, considered the effect of topography, geology, soils, vegetation, and development on the hydraulic performance of existing built or natural drainage systems Organized, coordinated and conducted field engineering of potential solutions to drainage troubles Provided technical assistance and advice to citizens and interested parties Provided professional guidance and direction to staff to ameliorate contentious situation Prepared and hosted public meetings to inform interested parties about drainage issues |
As Project Manager / Project Designer, Higa Engineering, Inc. |
Stormwater / Drainage Systems Stream Bank Stabilization Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control Traffic Control Roads Grading |
SELECTED ACTIVITIES |
(l-r) Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA), Allison Aurand, dairyman Danny Miller |
National Roundtable of State Farmland Preservation Programs WA Interagency Committee Farmland Preservation Task Force Virginia Farmland Protection Task Force Virginia State Technical Committee (USDA-NRCS) Pennsylvania FarmLink Board of Directors Growing New Farmers Consortium |
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Duties included developing and presenting public education materials across Virginia; advocating for the passage of the Virginia Agricultural Vitality Program and creation of the Virginia Office of Farmland Preservation Conducted research and developed policy relating to targeted funding for economic development in agricultural areas, later adopted through legislation as the Virginia Agricultural Enterprise Zone Act of 2005. Responsible for initiating American Farmland Trust's efforts in farm business transition issues. Duties included representing the organization on farm transition issues nationally and throughout the Mid-Atlantic States, and research and development of strategies and policy recommendations for the Virginia FarmLink Program. Delmarva Farmland Conservation Strategy Project Participated in the development of an in-depth audit of the Maryland farmland protection program. The "Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program and the Industry of Agriculture" examined the successes and shortcomings of the Maryland farmland protection program, how it is perceived by the agricultural community, and offered recommendations for policy adjustments to improve the program's efficiency and make it more appealing to farmers |
Managed wide range of projects including commercial development, multi-family and single family residential, rezones, comprehensive plan amendments and mitigation plans. Designed projects encompassing the full extent of land use in the Northwest, ranging from boundary line adjustments to zero-lot-line planned residential developments Argued for and successfully won approval of projects before hearing examiners and city councils Developed working relationships with city and county staff members across the Puget Sound Analyzed, Clarified, and Negotiated interpretation of code in several jurisdictions Prepared grading, storm drainage, water, sewer and landscape plans Created and Drafted preliminary and construction plan sets for more than fifty large scale projects |