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Policy Edition: What's new for local food and farms in 2019?

The local food team shares articles, exclusive interviews, and project updates that tell the story of how we are building a stronger, more resilient local food system. To measure the success of local food programs, we have identified 10 indicators of success that measure how well we are doing in our efforts to create a stronger, more affordable food system. Each article is directly connected to one or more of our 10 indicators of success which are shown below and will also be shown in each article. Click on the indicator icons for more information about our initiative!

Stay updated with us as we bring you the local food news you need each month!

Local Food Initiative: 10 Indicators of Success

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Land Conservation Initiative: Preserving and protecting farmland and urban green space

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The Land Conservation Initiative is the way we can protect the livability, health, and ecological integrity of our region for everyone. Access the nature and open space is the foundation to our collective quality of life. However, development threatens working lands that produce food, jobs, and a rural way of life.

“The main goals of the Initiative are to accelerate investments in land conservation to save money, to ensure critical natural areas and resource lands can be preserved before they are lost to other uses, and to ensure green space for all residents,” said Bob Burns, Deputy Director of King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

This Initiative is a regional collaboration between King County, cities, business people, farmers, environmental partners, and others that began by creating a strategy to preserve our last, most important natural lands, resource lands and green spaces.

Read more about this Initiative on the DNRP blog here.

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2018 Farm Bill: What’s next for food and agricultural policy?

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The 2018 Farm Bill that was recently signed into law allocates billions of dollars to American farmers, bolsters farmers markets, and rejects stricter limits on food stamps. Here are some of the most noteworthy aspects of the new farm bill:

  • Increases funding for agricultural easements.
  • Increases funding for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers.
  • Creates and funds Local Agricultural Market Program.
  • Increases funding for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives program.
  • Removes barriers to farmers markets.
  • Strengthens food access through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  • Increases investments in organic farming.
  • Increases funding for urban agriculture.
  • Strengthens efforts to reduce food waste.
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Visit the DNRP blog post here for an in-depth look at the changes and impacts of the new bill.


Mark your calendars for grant opportunities in 2019!

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Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP): This program offers grant funds with a 25 percent match to support the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. There are two types of project applications accepted under LFPP – planning grants and implementation grants. LFPP Planning Grants are used in the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise. LFPP Implementation Grants are used to establish a new local and regional food business enterprise, or to improve or expand an existing local or regional food business enterprise. Applications are projected to open in spring 2019. Click here for more details.

Farmers Market Promotion Program: The purpose of this grant program is to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Applications are projected to open in spring 2019. Click here for more details.

Regional Food System Grant Program: This King Conservation District program was initiated to provide a catalyst for making local food production more ecologically and economically sustainable. The program funds projects that contribute to the economic viability of local farmers, encourage new farmers, expand acreage in food production, improve food access, and increase demand for King County farm products. Information for 2019 grants will be added here soon.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: The purpose of this USDA program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, and applications for specialty crop project funding go through the Washington State Department of Agriculture. The 2019 proposal due dates should be updated soon. Visit the website here for more details about this opportunity.

Rural Business Development Grants: This USDA program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. The 2019 proposal due dates should be updated soon. Learn more about this opportunity here.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grants below are currently closed but are projected to open in spring 2019. Learn more about the opportunities listed below here.

Research and Education Grants: These grants involve scientists, producers, and others using interdisciplinary approaches to address issues related to sustaining agriculture.

Professional Development Program Grants: These grants focus on training agricultural professionals to help them spread knowledge about sustainable agriculture concepts and practices.

Farmer/Rancher Grants: These one- to three-year grants are conducted by agricultural producers with support and guidance from a technical advisor. Producers typically use their grants to conduct on-site experiments that can improve their operations and the environment and can be shared with other producers. Grant recipients may also focus on marketing and organic production.

Professional + Producer Grants: These one- to three-year grants are similar in concept to the Farmer/Rancher Grants with a few key differences. Instead of a producer serving as the project coordinator, an agricultural professional coordinates the project. A farmer or rancher serves as the project advisor.