04/10/2026
We can't allow Snohomish County to run off our farmers....
The Future of Flower World
A letter from our President
To those of you who regularly visit Flower World in Maltby and who may be willing to help us preserve a local institution from the fate that has already claimed so many other farms and nurseries.
Four years ago, Snohomish County began legal proceedings asserting that Flower World is no longer an agricultural operation—even though we grow approximately 95% of our crops on-site and have operated in the same manner for over 50 years. The Snohomish County Hearing Examiner ultimately ruled against us, comparing our business to Home Depot, rather than recognizing that we are a working agricultural business. We appealed this decision to the Snohomish County Superior Court, but the ruling was upheld. We are now appealing this decision to a higher level.
The basis for the court's decision is that Flower World sells wholesale and directly to retail customers...like you. While this may sound unreasonable, and despite our arguments that many pumpkin farms, U-cut Christmas tree farms, and small nurseries operate in the same way, our position has not been recognized. We have reached out to the Snohomish County Council and the County Executive to express our concerns. To date we have received no response.
This is not the first time we have faced such challenges. Six years ago, the County Health Department attempted to shut down The Produce Market across the street, claiming we needed a restaurant permit to operate. Our argument—that we are not a restaurant—was unsuccessful, and that decision was also upheld on appeal. The final outcome of this remains uncertain.
Currently, Snohomish County, along with a neighboring industrial operator, is seeking to close our south entrance, claiming it is illegal. This, despite the fact that we legally obtained a permit to relocate the access point approximately 31 feet. Historically, Flower World has maintained the two access points to this dead-end street for the past 50 years.
In response to these ongoing challenges, Flower World’s Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to begin working with a land development firm to explore options that protect both the business and interests of our more than 40 employee-shareholders. We have asked this firm to collaborate with Snohomish County to identify viable paths forward. These options may include converting a portion of the property to industrial zoning or developing clustered residential housing. While this planning process could take up to three years, the uncertainty created by ongoing legal proceedings makes it necessary to explore all of our options now.
Seven years ago, our Board committed to a plan of continuing Flower World’s operations for at least the next 50 years—and that remains our goal today. However, four years of litigation with the County has created significant financial and operational strain.
Given these circumstances, we have again asked for support and intervention from the Snohomish County Council. To date, the response has simply been silence. This leaves us facing a difficult and uncertain future.
On a personal note, I served as President of the Snohomish Farm Bureau in 2001. During that time, the Bureau led a countywide citizen initiative known as the “Right to Plow.” Its purpose was to recognize that farm operations are fundamentally different from land development and should be granted appropriate exemptions for agricultural activities. The initiative passed with strong support—over 60% of voters—and it remains in effect today.
As we have worked through each decision, we have found county regulators either do not fully understand the intent of this initiative or choose not to apply it. This, to the detriment of Flower World and many other farmers in Snohomish County.
Throughout this entire process, we have not sought public assistance. Now, however, we believe the stakes extend far beyond our survival. Snohomish County is losing farms at an alarming rate—more than 15 each year—and many new farmers lack the financial resources or capacity to navigate and challenge complex bureaucratic systems.
Included are the names and email addresses of the Snohomish County Council. If you are concerned about the decisions affecting Flower World and local farmers alike, and want to help, we ask that you reach out to the Council and ask, “Are you going to remain silent and allow the end of farming in Snohomish County?”
Snohomish County Council - 425-388-3494 - [email protected]
District 1 - Nate Nehring - [email protected]
District 2 - Megan Dunn - [email protected]
District 3 - Strom Peterson - [email protected]
District 4 - Jared Mead - [email protected]
District 5 - Sam Low - [email protected]
John Postema
President, Flower World, Inc.
