February 2024

2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

The USDA and National Agricultural Statistics Service have released the 2022 Census of Agriculture. For practitioners of farmland preservation this offers insight into national and regional trends that help us understand many facets of farm ownership, management, land use, and operations. 

In Washington, the census reports a decline of 824,443 acres, representing a decline of 5.6% of total farmland from 2017-2022. Washington saw a decline in farm businesses of 3,717 or 10.4% of the 2017 total. Washington farms and ranches produced $3.17 billion more in agricultural products in 2022 than 2017, a 33% nominal increase. 

Regarding nationwide farmland loss in the five-year reporting period of 2017-2022, the census reports a reduction of 20 million acres of farmland, a 2.2% decrease. The nation saw a reduction in farm businesses of 142,000, or 7%. The loss of farmland and farm businesses in Washington outpaces the national trend. In 2022, U.S. farms and ranches produced $543.1 billion in agricultural products, up from $388.5 billion in 2017. This represents an increase of $154.6 billion or nominal change of 40%. 

• Watch the recording of the Ag Census release here: USDA Live | USDA.
• Review highlights specific to Washington in the press release.
• Access the full census here: 2022 Census of Agriculture. 
• Review county level data for Washington here: 2022 Census of Agriculture - County Level Data.
• For easy-to-read data on national producer trends there are highlights outlined for Farm Producers and Farm Economics.
• American Farmland Trust will be posting data of particular relevance to farmland preservation practitioners on their Farmland Information Center. 

Agriculture in the news

• USDA Rallies Partners to Help with Outreach to Beginning, Veteran and Socially Disadvantaged Producers on the Conservation Reserve Program-Transition Incentives Program | USDA 
  
  
• WSU Extension to add 11 remote learning sites statewide | CAHNRS News | Washington State University
  
  
• New grant will allow WSU to help underserved farmers apply for loans | CAHNRS News | Washington State University
  
  
• As part of President Biden’s American Climate Corps, USDA Launches New Working Lands Climate Corps to Train Future Conservation and Climate Leaders on Climate-Smart Agriculture | USDA
  
  
• Washington state warns solar panels will damage farm soils | Capital Press
  
  
• Walla Walla Wine Industry Under Threat | Tree People of Walla Walla

Trainings & Resources

• Conservation Outcomes Webinar Series | Natural Resources Conservation Service - February 21
• SoilCon24: Finding Diverse Solutions for Diverse Soils | CAHNRS News | Washington State University - February 20 
• ACEP-ALE Certification Peer-to-Peer Training - West - Land Trust Alliance - March 5

NRCS Updates

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is anticipated to receive additional funding allocations for all NRCS Farm Bill programs due to the Inflation Reduction Act. The additional funding allocations will substantially increase the amount of funding available over the next several years for NRCS partners to access.

Below are key dates for partners to consider if seeking federal funding through NRCS:

• Quarter 2 (January – March 2024): Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Notice of Funding Opportunity published effectively opening the FY 2024 application cycle.
• June 2024: RCPP proposals due effectively closing the FY 2024 application cycle.
• June 28, 2024: Deadline to execute a Parcel Contract with NRCS for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) applications funded under the FY 2024 sign-up.
• October 2024: Landholders may file FY 2025 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) paperwork with the Farm Service Agency.
• October 2024: FY 2025 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) Annual Kickoff Meeting. Prospective applicants should notify NRCS if they plan to apply.
• October 2024: FY 2025 ACEP-ALE application sign-up opens in Washington State.
• December 2024: FY 2025 ACEP-ALE application sign-up closes in Washington State.

Funding Opportunity

Washington State Organic & Sustainable Farming Fund - Tilth Alliance - Applications for this grant are due February 19. Farmers seeking financial assistance to support projects that improve the economic viability, social impacts or environmental sustainability of their farm business are encouraged to apply. 

Job Announcements

• State Conservation Commission Job Board - Opportunities within the commission as well as Palouse, Pierce, Whatcom, South Yakima, Mason, Clark, and Okanogan conservation districts. 
• North Olympic Land Trust - Land Protection Specialist
• Washington Association of Land Trusts - Conservation Policy and Strategic Initiatives Intern 

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.