September 2025

NRCS Update

• NRCS ACEP-ALE FY26 Kickoff Webinar
  • This webinar is an overview of the FY 2026 ACEP-ALE funding opportunity for potential project sponsors/applicants. 
  • September 16, 10AM-1PM 
  • Reach out to Eric Nelson (eric@skagitcd.org) for a summary pdf and additional methods to listen in. 
  • This teams link will take you to the meeting: FY26 ACEP ALE Kickoff Webinar
  • The meeting will be moderated by Eric Nelson and feature presentations from State Conservationist, Roylene Comes At Night; State Easement Program Manager, Carlee Elliot; FSA-WA Program Specialist, Nicole Armijo; NRCS Realty Specialist Kathy Wanner; Michelle Martin and Kate Miller of Okanogan Land Trust; and Office of Farmland Preservation Coordinator, Hilary Aten.

Farmland Preservation in the News

• Washington Farmland Trust Leans into Land Access for New Growers | AgDaily
  
  
• Costs soar as Grant County PUD moves to take farmland for transmission line | Capital Press
  
  
• Short Film Highlights Importance of Mentorship for Beginning Farmers | ATTRA | Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture in the news

• The No. 1 problem facing Washington farmers | Washington State Standard
  
  
• ‘Getting worse’: Washington releases ag mental health report | Capital Press
  
  
• Washington's hop farmers, a vital part of the world's beer industry, are feeling the pinch of federal policies, a volatile market and environmental challenges | The Spokesman Review
  
  
• Washington remains top apple producer; harvest conditions favorable | Wenatchee World
  
  
• WA farmers suffer after feds cut program to provide schools with local fresh foods | KUOW
  
  
• Immigration policies and labor needs: A look at the growing reliance on H-2A workers in the Pacific Northwest | Wenatchee World
  
  
• Proprietors' Farm Income in Washington | Federal Reserve Economic Data | St. Louis Fed - The past two years have been the only two on record, since 1948, in which Proprietors' Farm Income has gone negative. 
  
  
• Lentils, Garbanzo Beans and Everything In Between: A peek at a farmer's harvest as USA Pulses aims to double production and consumption of legumes | The Spokesman Review
  
  
• Farmer sentiment weakens as confidence in the future wanes | Capital Press
  
  
• 3,700 WA farms shut down in 5 years. Why? | The Seattle Times

Funding Opportunities

• Heritage Barn Grants | Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) - "The Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) is pleased to announce that applications to request funding through the Heritage Barn Rehabilitation Grant Program are now available. For the FY 2025-2027 Biennium, $900,000 in matching grants are avaialable with indvidual awards of up to $75,000."
  
  
• Infrastructure Grant | Washington State Department of Agriculture - "The purpose of the Local Food System Infrastructure Grant program is to support local food supply chains and market access for Washington farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors. The grant funds projects that expand and strengthen collaboration across linkages in regional food supply chains in Washington."
  
  
• Applications Open for Washington Specialty Crop Block Grant | Washington State Department of Agriculture - Proposals due by October 15. 

Job Announcements

• State Conservation Commission Job Board - Opportunities with conservation districts across the state and with WACD's Plant Materials Center.
  
  
• Washington Association of Land Trusts Job Board - Opportunities across the state for a wide variety of skillsets. 
  
  
• Careers | American Farmland Trust - Several national and regional positions available. 
  
  
• Market and Incentives Specialist | WSDA

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.