May 2024

Agriculture in the news

• Agricultural Land Protection - An Essential Tool for Fighting Climate Change - American Farmland Trust has published a white paper on the climate benefits of agricultural conservation easements that summarizes the work being done to assess the climate impacts of preserving farmland that would otherwise be developed. 
• Bank of the Pacific Supports Farmland Legacy Program and Future of Skagit Agriculture - This article from Whatcom Talk provides a summary of the work being completed and vision for the future of the Farmland Legacy Program. 
• Washington Asparagus Acres May Vanish, Industry Leaders Say - This Article from Capital Press outlines the challenges faced by asparagus growers.
• Northwest cherry growers hopeful 2024 harvest will steady ship after several tumultuous years - This article from the Spokesman Review provides a hopeful update for the state of the WA cherry industry. 

Job Announcements

• Conservation Easement Program Liaison - This position will assist multiple entities across the state in successful implementation of ACEP and RCPP programs offered by NRCS. 
• SCC Job Board - The SCC job board has opportunities across the state for folks looking to be an integral part of resource conservation with local conservation districts.
• The Jefferson County Food Policy Council is looking for a contractor to assess their local food system. The RFP is available in English and Spanish.

Events

• Northwest Land Camp - Conservation practitioners from across Oregon and Washington will be learning from one another on July 10-12 in Tacoma. 

Trainings

• 2024 RCPP NFO Applicant Outreach Webinar - On Thursday, May 30 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 there will be an opportunity to gain perspective and insight about the RCPP program. 
• Beginning Farmer Event Series - Rogue Farm Corps is producing an educational series to help beginning farmers. Classes are available, online or in person and scholarships are available. 
• Highlights from the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture - In case you missed American Farmland Trust's webinar highlighting components of the 2022 Ag Census, the webinar and additional resources are available through the link above. 
• Food Systems Resilience - Vermont Law and Graduate School has published a new resource to help define terms concepts around building resilient and equitable food systems.
• FSA Paperwork Workshop - Thurston Conservation District will be holding a workshop for farmers interested in assistance with NRCS program applications on June 11 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
• Get Started Webinar - The Farmland Access Hub has posted a webinar in which Kathryn Ruhf discusses land access and tenure for beginning farmers.

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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.