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February 2021
This month we're excited to highlight several recent conservation successes, innovative partnerships to support agricultural viability, and new resources to advance farmland preservation.
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Conservation Roundup
Kodama Farm and Food Forest is Protected Forever
Jefferson Land Trust recently completed the acquisition of a permanent conservation easement on the 45 acre Kodama Farm and Food Forest in the Beaver Valley. The easement represents the first step in a project that will help salmon, beavers, and other local wildlife, all while supporting local food production. “Through this partnership with Jefferson Land Trust and North Olympic Salmon Coalition, our goal is to provide an example of the cooperation between salmon habitat restoration and regenerative agriculture. By increasing biodiversity and improving the health of the land and waterways, our farm can work with the patterns of nature to produce food for our community.” Visit Jefferson Land Trust’s website to learn more about the project.
21 Acres Permanently Protected in Rapidly Developing Buckley Plateau
Washington Farmland Trust (WFT) recently completed the acquisition of a permanent agricultural conservation easement to protect the Dionas Farm, 21 acres of prime farmland on the Buckley Plateau in Pierce County. For years, the organization has been working with landowners and partners to lay the groundwork for conservation in this rapidly developing agricultural community. "We hope our farm is the first of many to be protected forever,” said Dan Dionas. Visit WFT’s website to learn more about the project.
Okanogan Land Trust Protects 2,688 Acres of Rangeland and Habitat
The Okanogan Land Trust (OLT) recently completed the acquisition of a permanent agricultural conservation easement on a 2,688 acre property bordering the Similkameen River. The Ellis-Barnes Livestock Company has been ranching the ground since the 1920s. Preservation of the property maintains the opportunity for agricultural activity and protects diverse habitat. You can read this article from the Wenatchee World to learn more about the project and the property’s history.
Agricultural Viability
Southwest Washington Grain Project
This video from the Southwest Washington Grain Project shows how public-private partnerships are finding new ways to respond to the needs of local farmers and the changing agricultural economy. The project is supported by the Port of Chehalis, Southwest Washington Growers Cooperative, Lewis County Commissioners, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Office of the Chehalis Basin, Valley Agronomics, Great Western Malting Company, and more. For more information about the project, contact Mike Peroni at mike@agbizcenter.org.
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Resources
New Tools to Aid in Accessing Federal Farmland Protection Funds
American Farmland Trust's Farmland Information Center (FIC) partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop a collection of tools and resources to guide landowners and conservation entities through the steps to apply to the federal farmland protection program known as the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). The collection is featured on the home page of the FIC website and you can learn more about the resources on an AFT blog post.
Economic Value of Conserved Lands on the North Olympic Peninsula
Jefferson Land Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and North Olympic Land Trust recently released a study of the economic value of the conserved farms, forests, trails, and parks in Jefferson, Clallam, and Kitsap counties. The result of the study is a special report titled, “The economic benefits of conserved lands, trails, and parks on the North Olympic Peninsula.” The report finds that conserved lands are key economic drivers that generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits each year. For example, farmland conservation helps to keep working farms active, allowing the area to generate $29.4 million of farm products each year. You can read more about the study here.
Case Studies in Inclusive and Equitable Landscape Conservation
The Network for Landscape Conservation recently released Weaving the Strands Together: Case Studies in Inclusive and Equitable Landscape Conservation, a report that explores how principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen landscape conservation efforts across the United States.
Impact Assessment of COVID-10 on Farmers Markets
A new report from the Washington State Farmers Market Association and the King County Agriculture Program documents how COVID-19 is impacting farmers market operations and viability in King County.
Short Course on Local Planning
The Short Course on Local Planning offered by Washington State Department of Commerce includes:
- An overview of the complex mix of land use planning laws that work together to support land-use decision-making in Washington state,
- An introduction to comprehensive planning and plan implementation under the Growth Management Act,
- A review of the roles in planning and best practices for public participation, and
- Mandatory training on the Open Public Meetings Act for local government officials and introduction to the Public Records Act.
All courses are offered at no charge and are open to the public. The schedule and registration information can be found here.
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Funding Opportunities
NRCS Accepting Agricultural Conservation Easement Applications
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Washington is currently accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program-Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). Applications must be submitted by close of business Feb. 26 to be considered for fiscal year 2021 funding. Learn more about ACEP-ALE opportunities and how to apply in Washington by visiting the NRCS Washington ACEP ALE webpage.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting grant applications for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The program supports delivery of education, mentoring, and technical assistance to help beginning farmers and ranchers with beginning and managing successful farm and ranch businesses. Applications are due by March 25, 2021. Visit The USDA Funding Opportunity page to learn more.
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Announcements
Federal Guidance on Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
The ACEP Final Rule (7 CFR 1468) has been published to the Federal Register and is effective as of the date of publication, 2/4/2021. You can access the rule here: Federal Register :: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. For more information, please read the News Release announcing the publication of the ACEP Final Rule. The 2018 Farm Bill allows federal funding to be used on Buy Protect Sell (BPS) transactions. As directed by NRCS headquarters, BPS applications will be accepted for FY21 but will remain in pending status (not screened or ranked) until further guidance is given to states from NRCS headquarters. NRCS Washington is unsure when BPS internal guidance will occur or when they will be able to process BPS applications, it could potentially be in FY22 dependent upon guidance delivery and software.
Commerce to Initiate Growth Management Act Rulemaking
The Washington State Department of Commerce is preparing to review and update the administrative rules for the Growth Management Act (GMA). Over the next 18 months, they will consider amendments to the administrative rules based on legislative changes, new case law, and the need to clarify any statutory requirements that the existing rules do not adequately address.
Commerce will finalize rulemaking by June 30, 2022 so that local governments have clear guidance on how to implement GMA requirements before the next round of periodic updates.
The subject of possible rulemaking includes:
- Chapter 365-196 Washington Advisory Code (WAC), Procedural Criteria for Adopting Comprehensive Plans and Development Regulations
- Chapter 365-190 WAC, Minimum Guidelines to Classify Agricultural, Forest and Mineral Lands and Critical Areas
- Chapter 365-195 WAC, Best Available Science
Growth Management Services will release a scope of potential changes in the spring of 2021. Proposed changes to the administrative rules will be released by Aug. 31 for public comment. Materials and information about the rulemaking effort on the EZ View Site: Growth Management Act WAC Update.
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Events
Washington State Farmers Market Association Conference: Feb 23-26
Join the Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA) and farmers market staff, volunteers, board members, vendors, community partners, and sponsors from every corner of the Pacific Northwest for the Washington State Farmers Market Conference February 23-26. Visit the conference page and WSFMA's facebook page for information. Register by February 14 for the best rates.
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Bills to Watch
The Office of Farmland Preservation is tracking the following bills related to farmland protection, land use, agricultural viability, and natural resources protection. February 15th is the final day for policy bills to be passed out of committee and read into the record on the floor.
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SB 5045, Establishing a state meat and poultry inspection program
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SB 5060, Concerning the preservation of water rights for farmland and economic development
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HB 1132, Concerning the protection of water supply for farming and rural economic development
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HB 1102, Establishing an intrastate meat inspection program
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SB 5042, Concerning the effective date of certain actions taken under the growth management act
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SB 5206, Eliminating expedited processing of an alternative energy resource facility fueled by solar energy on certain designated lands before the energy facility site evaluation council
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SB 5221, Concerning regulation of accessory dwelling units located outside of urban growth areas
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HB 1395, Ensuring equity in farming
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SHB 1099, Improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's comprehensive planning framework
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HB 1233, Concerning limited areas of more intensive rural development
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HB 1298, Concerning regulation of accessory dwelling units located outside of urban growth areas
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SB 5126, Concerning the Washington climate commitment act
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SB 5373, Concerning carbon pollution
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SB 5141, Implementing the recommendations of the environmental justice task force
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SB 5253, Implementing the recommendations of the pollinator health task force
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SB 5275, Enhancing opportunity in limited areas of more intense rural development
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HB 1516, Concerning agricultural labor
Agriculture in the News
COVID-19
Innovation
Land Ownership
Water
Dams
Legislature
Congress & Federal Government
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