May 2022

Solar energy development across Washington has the potential to both positively and negatively impact agricultural land. A recent article in Land Lines, a publication of the Lincoln Institute of Public Policy, titled Clean Energy, Climate Resilience, and Conservation on U.S. Farmland provides food for thought on this emerging issue. 

Resources

Private Land Conservation + Affordable Housing

A article in the Spring 2022 issue of Saving Land, a Land Trust Alliance publication, titled "At home on the land" discusses how communities are pursuing both private land conservation and affordable housing through partnership and innovative models. 

American Wetlands Month

In recognition of American Wetlands Month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is highlighting the stewardship efforts of agricultural producers and USDA programs working to restore and manage wetlands for water quality, soil health, flood retention, wildlife, and recreation. Read USDA’s bulletin featuring Still Waters Farm in Mason County to learn more.

Farmland Protection in Skagit County

Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program recently released their 2021 annual report. Skagit County has nearly surpassed 14,000 acres of protected farmland in 2021, resulting in an extinguishment of 263 residential development rights. Total protected acreage as of December 2021 represents 16% of roughly 89,000 acres designated Agriculture-Natural Resource Lands in Skagit County. The Skagit Valley’s fertile soil has been rated in the top 2% of soils in the world, making the Skagit Valley one of the most important and productive agricultural regions in the world. The county’s farmland supports 90 different crops, generating nearly $315 million in revenue in 2020.

Local Food Marketing Practices Data

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released new data showing over 147,000 farms produced and sold food locally through direct marketing practices, resulting in $9 billion in revenue in 2020. The more than 40,000 farms that sold food directly to institutions and intermediates brought in the most revenue at $4.1 billion; this was followed by operations with direct-to-consumer sales, such as on-farm stores and farmers markets, at $2.9 billion. Sales directly to retailers accounted for $1.9 billion from more than 24,000 operations nationwide. Washington ranked sixth in terms of top states in direct farms sales at $323 million. Read the USDA press release and view the 2020 Highlights for more information. 

Funding Opportunities

USDA Loans for Underserved Groups and Beginning Farmers

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.

USDA defines underserved applicants as a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For farm loan program purposes, targeted underserved groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics and Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Underserved or beginning farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for either FSA direct loans or guaranteed loans. Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA. Guaranteed loans are made by lending institutions who arrange for FSA to guarantee the loan. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. The FSA guarantee allows lenders to make agricultural credit available to producers who do not meet the lender's normal underwriting criteria.

The direct and guaranteed loan program provides for two types of loans: farm ownership loans and farm operating loans. In addition to customary farm operating and ownership loans, FSA now offers microloans through the direct loan program. The focus of microloans is on the financing needs of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations. Microloans are available for both ownership and operating finance needs. To learn more about microloans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/microloans.

To qualify as a beginning producer, the individual or entity must meet the eligibility requirements outlined for direct or guaranteed loans. Additionally, individuals and all entity members must have operated a farm for less than 10 years. Applicants must materially or substantially participate in the operation.

For more information on FSA’s farm loan programs and targeted underserved and beginning farmer guidelines, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/farmloans.

America the Beautiful Challenge

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced the 2022 Request for Proposals for the America the Beautiful Challenge, a public-private grant program designed to support locally led, voluntary ecosystem restoration projects that invest in watershed restoration, resilience, equitable access, workforce development, corridors and connectivity, and collaborative conservation, consistent with the America the Beautiful Initiative. Approximately $85 million in grant funding is available.

The America the Beautiful Challenge coordinates funding from multiple Federal agencies and private philanthropy into one competitive grant program. This one-stop-shop solicitation is the result of financial contributions from the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Defense, as well as private philanthropy.

The America the Beautiful Challenge will seek to advance conservation and restoration projects that are consistent with the principles outlined in the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful report and that focus on at least one of the following core areas of need:

• Conserving and restoring rivers, coasts, wetlands, and watersheds
• Conserving and restoring forests, grasslands, and other important ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks
• Connecting and reconnecting wildlife corridors, large landscapes, watersheds, and seascapes
• Improving ecosystem and community resilience to coastal flooding, drought, and other climate-related threats
• Expanding access to the outdoors, particularly in underserved communities

Applicants are encouraged to develop large landscape-scale and/or cross-jurisdictional projects that advance existing conservation plans or are informed by Indigenous Traditional Knowledge.

Key Dates:

• Thursday, May 19, 2022, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern Time: Applicant Webinar
• Thursday, July 21, 2022 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time: Full Proposal Due Date
• July – November 2022: Review Period
• November 2022: Awards Announced 

Read the full Request for Proposals for details on how to apply.

Job Announcements

WALT Executive Director

The Washington Association of Land Trusts (WALT) seeks an Executive Director to help lead and serve a thriving statewide association of over 30 land conservation nonprofits. This is a unique opportunity to head a growing organization with a bold vision and a strong track record in delivering legislative victories, developing innovative new programs, and driving a culture of learning and growth. The position is open until filled, but applications received by May 13 will be given priority consideration. You can find the full position profile here.

Farmland Project Manager

Washington Farmland Trust is hiring a Farmland Project Manager, a new, full-time position that works in partnership with farmers and landowners to support, design, and implement land and resource conservation projects. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A first round of application reviews and interviews will begin Wednesday May 25. Visit Washington Farmland Trust’s career page for more information.

Events

Understanding the Basics of Leasing Farmland for Energy Development

The Center for Agricultural and Shale Law at PennState Law is offering a webinar for attorneys on May 20, 2022 from 9 – 10 AM (PDT). The present and future will see many agricultural and rural landowners faced with tough decisions about land use and income opportunities presented by energy transitions.  Gain an understanding of the ins and outs of leasing for gas and solar development to better serve current clients and build your skill set to take advantage of a growing market for professional advice in this area. Visit here to register and learn more.

Comprehensive Plan Workshop Series

Join the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Municipal Research and Services Center for an online workshop on comprehensive plan periodic updates. The workshop will provide an overview of what’s new in the Growth Management Act and VISION 2050 since the last major update, PSRC’s plan review and certification process, and resources and tools to support plan updates. Attendees will also have an opportunity to connect with other staff working on comprehensive plans throughout the region. The workshop is Jun. 15, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 12 PM (PDT). Visit the PSRC page for more information.  

Agriculture in the News

Farmland Preservation

• One Investment Firm’s Bold Experiment to Finance the Future of American Farming (Time)
• More than $6.7 million comes to Oregon to protect high-value agricultural lands (Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts)

Solar

• Citing sage grouse worries, Washington Fish and Wildlife a firm ‘no’ on solar proposal (Capital Press)

Weather & Water

• April third coldest since 1895 in Washington state (Capital Press)
• Odessa stakeholders ask for review of Reclamation repayment policy (Capital Press)
• Record April cold in the Walla Walla Valley skirts disaster for many area growers (Union-Bulletin)
• Reclamation: All Yakima Water Rights Expected To Be Met (Pacific Northwest Ag Network)

Markets

• Record inflation puts crunch on Snohomish County farms (HeraldNet)
• Food Protectionism Adds to “Chaos in Global Food Markets,” While Ukraine Could Plant a Majority of Spring Crops (Farm Policy News)
• On Agriculture & Antitrust: A Brief Summary of Legislative History (farmdoc daily)
• Pacific Northwest-grown tea? Skagit Valley researchers seek to establish new crop (The Seattle Times)
• High costs expected to stress dairy margins (Capital Press)

Subscribe to the Farmland Preservation Monthly Newsletter, brought to you by the Office of Farmland Preservation. 

The Washington State Conservation Commission administers the Office of Farmland Preservation to address the rapid loss of working farm and forest lands in our state. Learn more: www.scc.wa.gov/ofp.