November 2022

As we take a chance this week to reflect on the season and appreciate what has gone well, it's a great opportunity to plan next year's success stories. OFP is highlighting some regional success stories and challenges this month, as well as a promising grazing webinar, and some national perspectives on agriculture and conservation. 

Funding Opportunities

USDA Launches Loan Assistance Tool to Enhance Equity and Customer Service

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new online tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. This uniform application process will help to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) regardless of their individual circumstances.  

“USDA recognizes more must be done to ensure all customers have equal access to our programs and services,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “The Loan Assistance Tool is another example of USDA taking accountability and ensuring we update our existing systems, processes, and policies to make them equitable for all customers. The tool will help loan applicants better understand the application process and gather the needed documents before the process even begins.”  

USDA experiences a high rate of incomplete or withdrawn applications, particularly among underserved customers, due in part to a challenging and lengthy paper-based application process. The Loan Assistance Tool is available 24/7 and gives customers an online step-by-step guide that supplements the support they receive when working in person with a USDA employee, providing materials that may help an applicant prepare their loan application in one tool. 

Conservation Round Up

Farmland Values Hit Record Highs, Pricing Out Farmers - The New York Times

• While farmers across Washington State are familiar with land prices soaring to unreachable heights, this article provides some context of different markets across the country and how widespread the struggle to find affordable farmland has become. 

Honoring Native American and Other Indigenous Peoples for Their Long-Standing Commitment to Agriculture and Conservation | Farmers.gov

• In a nationwide recognition of Native American and Indigenous farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, local efforts by the Suquamish Tribe are highlighted for efforts to restore Olympia oyster habitat. 

Solar Leasing: A Guide for Agricultural Landowners in the Pacific Northwest - AFT

• American Farmland Trust’s Solar Leasing Guide is a tool for agricultural landowners in the Pacific Northwest. This guide covers the basic considerations for landowners who have or anticipate being approached by a solar developer.  

Thurston CD Voices Opposition to Central Thurston Airport

• While the prospect of another large airport looms as a threat to farmland around the Puget Sound, this letter from Thurston CD should inspire others to find collaborative and articulate ways to help limit farmland loss and ecosystem damage. 

WA Farmland Trust completed an easement with Pink Moon Farm

• While the process is not simple or always quick, it is great to see another farm protected in perpetuity. 

More farmers are adopting conservation tillage

• In an effort to conserve water, build soil, retain nutrients, and reduce erosion, more farmers are finding ways to reduce tillage in their systems.

Four highlights from the annual ‘Focus on Farming’ ag conference

• The "Focus on Farming" Conference took place for the first time since 2019 and focused on items like: the upcoming Farm Bill, the value of connecting consumers with their farmers, the advances in technology for farmers, and exceptionally good meals to share. 

Events

Urban Producers, Public Invited to Attend November Meeting of Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)

Let's talk regenerative grazing – ATTRA – Free Webinar

Washington Agriculture in the News

NW Tree Fruit Growers Hurt By Back-to-Back Odd Weather Years

Washington sets another heat record in October | Water | capitalpress.com

Local wine grape growers see unusual year | Northwest | lmtribune.com

Kittitas County, state and tribal officials gather to celebrate water conservation efforts

Cle Elum Reservoir awarded $5 million to mitigate drought - YakTriNews

‘Aquifer rescue mission’ | Columbia Basin Herald

National and International Agriculture in the news

The World’s Increasing Need for Cropped Land - farmdoc daily

Waterlogged wheat, rotting oranges: five crops devastated by a year of extreme weather | Drought | The Guardian

Food and farming massively underfunded in climate plans - Global Alliance for the Future of Food

Black Farmers' Voices: How the Past Influences Food Insecurity Today | Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Triple Threat for Farmers - Rising Interest Rates, Inflation, and Recession - Capital Ag Press 

"Fertilizer Prices Are Falling," Black Sea Export Deal in Focus, While Mississippi River Flow Draws Attention - Farm Policy News

Mississippi River "Strangled" by Dry Weather, as Percent of U.S. Winter Wheat in Drought Highest Since 2000 - Farm Policy News

Job Announcements

Youth and Families Program Manager - Tilth Alliance

 A variety of opportunities with Conservation Districts across Washington

DC Based Food Policy Analyst, enter job #19809

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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.