|
October 2020
Greetings Farmland Conservation Community! If we haven't met yet, my name is Kate Delavan. I started at the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) as the Office of Farmland Preservation Coordinator earlier this year and I've decided to start sending the newsletter again. The condensed format may look a little different and I hope you continue to find it a useful resource. Please send content for future newsletters my way via email. I welcome your additions.
|
|
Conservation Roundup
Cowiche Valley - The Conservation Commission and the North Yakima Conservation District permanently protected the 98 acre Stevenson Farm in Yakima County. The property adjoins 285 acres of already protected agricultural land creating a corridor of more than 380 acres of high-quality contiguous farmland. Project funding was provided by the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO).
Kittitas County - In July 2020, Forterra helped conserve the 274-acre Hairpin Ranch property, located just north of Ellensburg in Kittitas County. Forterra partnered with Kittitas County to conserve this working ranch, with funding from RCO, the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), and Kittitas County Conservation District.
Lewis County - Washington Farmland Trust recently protected the 121 acre Olson Farm in Lewis County. Conservation easement funding was provided by RCO and the USDA NRCS.
Central Whidbey Farm - The Whidbey Camano Land Trust recently purchased a 22-acre property with high-quality agricultural soils as part of a Buy-Protect-Sale strategy to keep the land in farming. The Land Trust is now looking for a buyer to continue farming the land.
WWRP Farmland Preservation - The 2020 application round for farmland projects under WWRP wrapped up last month. In total, 13 farmland projects were submitted with a request to RCO for just over $5.8 million in funding. The ranked list is now available on RCO’s website.
|
|
Resources
Farms Under Threat - A recent report from American Farmland Trust uses spatial mapping analyses of agricultural land conversion to provide new insights into the status and fate of American farmland. While the encroachment of urban and highly developed land uses into agricultural areas has long been identified as a threat to agricultural viability, this data also highlights the threat of low-density residential development. Reports, interactive maps, and policy scorecards are available here.
|
|
Funding Opportunities
ACEP-ALE Sign Up - Following guidance from the National Headquarters (NHQ), the Washington NRCS ACEP-ALE sign up period is postponed. The sign up period will not open during the first quarter of the federal fiscal year (October, November, December) or until NHQ issues a national bulletin. As a reminder, landowner eligibility paperwork can be completed ahead of the sign-up period. Forms and up to date information will be available on the Washington NRCS ACEP-ALE page. Once available, the announcement will be shared via USDA press release and shared by the Washington Association of Land Trusts and the Washington State Conservation Commission.
RCPP – This week USDA NRCS clarified forestry eligibility and extended the proposal deadline to November 30th for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). To learn more about the opportunity for funding, read the August 4th announcement, and for more information on how to apply, view the Announcement for Program Funding.
ACEP-WREP Sign Up – NRCS is accepting proposals to the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). Through WREP, eligible entities work with tribal and private landowners to voluntarily enroll eligible land into easements to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands. Proposals should be emailed to Easement Program Coordinator Carlee Elke by November 30, 2020. Potential partners are encouraged to attend the WREP workshop on October 22, 2020, at 1 p.m. EDT. Visit the national WREP webpage for more information on the workshop or this program opportunity.
Sign up for USDA NRCS announcements to stay up to date on future funding opportunities.
|
|
Job Announcements
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Liaison – Hosted by the Skagit Conservation District, this position will support NRCS ACEP projects across Washington. This position will work closely with NRCS, project applicants, conservation districts, and the Commission to ensure successful project implementation. The position allows for remote work. Application deadline: November 2, 2020 4 PM. The full position is description available here.
|
|
Conservation Commission
SCC Budget Requests - The SCC has submitted state budget requests to support conservation districts and voluntary conservation work over the next biennium. You can view an overview of the capital budget request here and the operating budget here.
|
|
|
|
