Beloved Farm Protected Forever

Historic red barn on the Boling family farm now protected forever with a conservation easement. 

“It must be protected,” you think of the eye-catching farmland left of the highway as you approach Coupeville from the south. “How could it not be? A rolling pastoral landscape with scattered, towering fir trees in Ebey’s Reserve with a historic red barn partly hidden by a grove of trees in the background?”

The great news is that it IS now permanently protected, thanks to owners Linda and John Boling, who recently worked with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust to place a conservation easement on their beloved property. The Bolings fell in love with the property more than four decades ago where today they raise and sell alfalfa hay, maintain fruit trees, and keep a family garden. During many quiet mornings as a volunteer docent at the Jacob and Sarah Ebey House, Linda grew captivated by the larger historic landscape of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, which has remained largely unchanged for the past 170 years.

Realizing their own farm is an integral part of the Ebey’s landscape, Linda, a retired nurse, and John, a retired Navy and commercial pilot, sought the Land Trust’s help to preserve it. “It’s been a great 40-plus years and we want to be sure someone else can enjoy it for another 40,” Linda said.

In addition to regular visits from their children and grandchildren, the Bolings share their oasis with four-legged canines. Partnering with “Sniff Spot” (check it out on the Internet), they allow dog owners in more developed areas to make reservations for their dogs to explore and enjoy the freedom of the farm.

The Boling Farm is adjacent to nearly 200 acres of farm and forest lands protected by the National Park Service and the Land Trust. The Boling conservation easement represents another step by the Land Trust to weave together the historic lands and waters of this national reserve and keep its prime agricultural soils and scenic views intact for future generations. The project was completed in partnership with the U.S. Navy.