April, 2023

For anyone who did not get the chance to provide some feedback on what you want to see more of in this newsletter and what you find valuable, the opportunity is still available at this link: SCC Newsletter Survey.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Farmland Preservation and Land Use Planning

OFP Requests Information from Vendors for Conservation Easement Affordability Analysis

The Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP) is in the process of developing specifications for services to provide an affordability analysis for conservation easements and is requesting input from the vendor community. This Request for Information (RFI) is open to vendors interested in contracting with SCC to work with stakeholders to identify and analyze provisions in agricultural conservation easements that can ensure long-term affordability and are responsive to the needs of next-generation farmers and ranchers. The full RFI can be found on the OFP website at OFP Requests Information from Vendors for Conservation Easement Affordability Analysis.

Camano Island historic farm now preserved forever – Whidbey Camano Land Trust has preserved a landmark farm on Camano Island! (King 5)

Nine Million More Acres of Farmland in Washington Eligible for Protection - The amount of farmland eligible for protection under GMA designations gets a boost from the WA Department of Commerce determining that "farmland of statewide importance" soil designation has long-term commercial significance. (Futurewise)

Farmland Protection Bill Introduced in Idaho – Idaho House Agricultural Affairs Committee will introduce a farmland protection bill next year. (Capital Ag Press) 

Washington's 'middle housing' bill has been tweaked a bit. Here's what's in it now - The refined bill includes increased capacity of homes per lot based on population size and proximity to transit, which would contribute to limiting sprawl and reducing farmland loss. (KUOW)

YIMBY Zoning Reform Sweeps Mountain West as Housing Costs Rise – YIMBY approaches to zoning are becoming more prevalent across the west in effort to build smarter housing with less sprawl. (Bloomberg)

Be wary of carve outs in land-use laws – Areas designated for agriculture might turn into semiconductor factories in Oregon. (Capital Ag Press)

Whatcom watches Olympia’s accessory-dwelling bills - Thoughts on potential legislative outcomes vary in small towns across Washington, but it seems that increased density is welcomed in some towns, and you might even get a free t-shirt. (Lynden Tribune)

Agriculture in the news

Farming still crucial to Basin employment – While jobs in agriculture make up 2-3% of employment in the state, some communities rely on ag-related jobs for close to 25% of employment. (Columbia Basin Herald)

US Farmland Increasingly Controlled by Foreign Investment - In ten years the amount of land owned by foreign investors has jumped by 165%. (Civil Eats)

Can Land Conservation and Dual-Use Solar on Farms Coexist? - Massachusetts Audubon is leading research on the potential of integrating crops into solar arrays to reduce the impact on productive lands of new solar development. (Civil Eats)

This law funds food stamps and Enumclaw cheese, and it’s under debate - Although the Farm Bill is such a large bill that it can be difficult to understand, it has tremendous relevance to communities across WA. (Seattle Times)

Pacific Northwest forests are heating up and drying out - While the heat dome of 2021 can feel like the distant past, tree farmers and foresters are trying to plan for the next extreme heat event. (Crosscut)

Could a seaweed revolution help solve the hunger crisis? – With room for growth, the emerging seaweed industry offers a new contribution to the food system from the Puget Sound. (Crosscut)

Black-led farming program in Seattle is being asked to uproot - Nurturing Roots, a Black-led community farm that has been based in Beacon Hill since 2016 is looking for a new location for its farm operations. (KUOW)

Events & Trainings

Whole Farm Planning / Planificación de toda la granja — Cultivating Success™ Washington - "Cultivating Success™: Whole Farm Planning will walk you through a step-by-step process, to help you prepare a well thought out plan for your land, life, and farm business. Learn how to use a whole system lens to create a living plan for your small farm future. Classes will meet weekly through Zoom, in an online classroom environment and you will be able to connect with a statewide community of other aspiring farm planners."

WSU Food Systems Hub Winter Series - "This event convenes leaders from across the Washington State food system and draws from our 7 Focus Areas: Sustainable Production Practices, Equitable Access, Energy and Waste Reduction, Processing and Distribution, Economic Benefits, Policy and Regulation, Farmland and Resource Conservation, in addition to the WA Food and Farm Finder."

NRCS Update

ACEP-ALE: NRCS-WA anticipates contracting three Agricultural Land Easement Parcel Contracts this month for applications submitted under the 2023 sign up. These contracts obligate federal financial assistance to support the eligible partners with purchasing perpetual Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of the encumbered land.

RCPP: The Palouse River Watershed Regional Conservation Partnership is pleased to announce $500,000 in conservation easement funding assistance for permanent land conservation in Whitman County through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP partnership is a locally led voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners to improve conservation outcomes. To learn more about the opportunity, visit www.palousecd.org/rcpp.

Funding Opportunities

USDA Seeking Applications to Expand Conservation Assistance to Underserved Producers | Natural Resources Conservation Service - "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for projects that will improve outreach to underserved producers and underserved communities about conservation programs and services and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering up to $70 million in cooperative agreements with entities for two-year projects that encourage participation in NRCS programs, especially in underserved communities and among urban and small-scale producers."

Research and Education | SARE Western - Eligible organizations looking to put forward a proposal that will advance sustainable agriculture are invited to apply before May 23^rd  for a grant of up to $350,000.

Future Organic Farmers | CCOF - $5,000 grants available to students who are studying for a career in organic agriculture. 

USDA Announces Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production | USDA – “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects.” Applications due March 27^th.

Job Announcements

Western SARE Project Manager - Montana State University

Farm to Farmer Statewide Manager - WA Farmland Trust

WALT Job Board – Opportunities are available for folks looking to work with organizations that operate on a national, state and localized level.

SCC Job Board – From Palouse to Pierce, an abundance of opportunities exist with conservation districts and the conservation commission.

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.