• Home
  • About Us
    • Board of Supervisors
    • Staff
    • District Documents >
      • Work Plans
      • Accomplishments
    • Projects
    • Volunteer
    • Community Involvement >
      • Orca Recovery Day
      • Whidbey Earth Day
      • Pollinator Pal Pledge
  • Our Services
    • Events & Education
    • Farm & Ag Assistance >
      • Cost Share Opportunities
      • Horse & Livestock Services
      • Agricultural Community
      • Beginning Farmer Resources
      • Farmland Owner & Transitioning Farmer Resources
    • Firewise
    • Forest Stewardship
    • Habitat Stewardship
    • Native Plants
    • Water Management >
      • Stormwater & Rain Gardens
  • News & Publications
    • Newsletter
    • Video Series >
      • What Do CDs Do?
      • Whidbey FarmWalks
    • Make A Difference Column
    • Weed Bulletin
    • Historical Maps
WICD
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Board of Supervisors
    • Staff
    • District Documents >
      • Work Plans
      • Accomplishments
    • Projects
    • Volunteer
    • Community Involvement >
      • Orca Recovery Day
      • Whidbey Earth Day
      • Pollinator Pal Pledge
  • Our Services
    • Events & Education
    • Farm & Ag Assistance >
      • Cost Share Opportunities
      • Horse & Livestock Services
      • Agricultural Community
      • Beginning Farmer Resources
      • Farmland Owner & Transitioning Farmer Resources
    • Firewise
    • Forest Stewardship
    • Habitat Stewardship
    • Native Plants
    • Water Management >
      • Stormwater & Rain Gardens
  • News & Publications
    • Newsletter
    • Video Series >
      • What Do CDs Do?
      • Whidbey FarmWalks
    • Make A Difference Column
    • Weed Bulletin
    • Historical Maps

Financial Assistance from USDA

​​We’re partnering with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to streamline access to technical and financial support for Whidbey Island’s farmers. 

USDA offers help unique to the concerns of historically underserved producers: beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and military veterans. In addition, women in agriculture are helping to pave the way for a better future. Use this self-determination tool to see if you’re a limited resource producer.

USDA's Census of Agriculture shows that Island County has one of the largest percentages of historically underserved producers when compared to surrounding counties - 97% small, 50% women, 34% beginning, 17% veteran, and 7% minority.

These producers are eligible for higher rates of financial assistance from USDA. We'll help you navigate the process.
FarmWalk host farmer collage
Silva Family, Eckholm, Foggy Hill, and Bell's Farms

Natural Resource Conservation

NRCS provides agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices. ​Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil, and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations. You can use the Conservation Concerns Tool to learn about different types of conservation issues that might impact the productivity or natural resources on your farm, ranch, or forest.
IDENTIFY YOUR CONSERVATION CONCERNS

​The NRCS calls these issues resource concerns and uses the categories soil, water, air, animals, plants, and energy/human. For example, we can look at ways to address the amount of soil lost; mitigate the impact of excess water; reduce the contribution of agricultural operations to airborne soil particles and greenhouse gas emissions; improve the cover, food, and water available for domestic and wildlife species; or promote energy efficiencies for on-farm activities. Check out this more detailed resource concern handbook for more info, and learn how NRCS defines land uses.​

​Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations. We can help you apply for assistance through two NRCS cost-share programs: the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). EQIP is generally a good entry point for producers, while CSP provides ongoing support for those who have already invested in conservation on their land.​
SWAPA Infographic with text
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary cost-sharing program that helps producers make conservation work for them. EQIP participants install or implement structural, vegetative, and management practices and NRCS provides reimbursement payments and technical assistance through a contractual agreement. Practices can include: improving irrigation efficiency, restoring pasture, installing season extension High Tunnels, or improving nutrient management. For examples of potential practices, check NRCS Small Scale Solutions.
Picture
Download our Fact Sheet for more Details

​The Conservation Stewardship Program helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.  Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, chances are CSP can help you find new ways to meet your goals with conservation activities called enhancements and enhancement bundles.

Check out current priority geographic focus areas for funding this federal fiscal year, as well as priority resource concerns for our area that help make your application more competitive. 
Picture
Download our Fact Sheet for more details
CSP Info Session Recording
"Links of Interest" handout
CSP program information packet

Highly Erodible Lands & Wetland Conservation provisions 

How do I Apply?

Pro Tip! Think at least 1 year in advance for your application
​

Applications are accepted year-round, but NRCS occasionally batches and ranks applications ​that meet their fall or spring deadlines for consideration

​
Read 10 Tips from NRCS on your application
Download the application forms and instructions
Picture
Please contact Allison to set-up an initial consultation
​to learn more about this program
heirloom cattle at Bell's Farm

Meet the People Behind the Process Who Can Help You Apply

Picture
Locate your USDA NRCS & FSA contact information
Picture
Locate your WICD contact information
Office Hours:
COVID-19 Response: Our office is currently closed to visitors, and our staff is primarily working remotely. 
Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Coupeville, WA
Office Location: 1 NE 4th Street, Coupeville, WA

Office Phone: 360-678-4708
General Email: wicd[at]whidbeycd.org
REQUEST ASSISTANCE
CHECK OUT EVENTS & WEBINARS
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Next Monthly Board Meeting:
Regular Board Meeting:
​Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 9am - Noon

Contact us for remote meeting information.
  • Board meetings are open to the public
  • Learn more about our board supervisors
  • Upcoming and past board meeting dates
  • Past meeting minutes & agendas ​​
Picture
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Board of Supervisors
    • Staff
    • District Documents >
      • Work Plans
      • Accomplishments
    • Projects
    • Volunteer
    • Community Involvement >
      • Orca Recovery Day
      • Whidbey Earth Day
      • Pollinator Pal Pledge
  • Our Services
    • Events & Education
    • Farm & Ag Assistance >
      • Cost Share Opportunities
      • Horse & Livestock Services
      • Agricultural Community
      • Beginning Farmer Resources
      • Farmland Owner & Transitioning Farmer Resources
    • Firewise
    • Forest Stewardship
    • Habitat Stewardship
    • Native Plants
    • Water Management >
      • Stormwater & Rain Gardens
  • News & Publications
    • Newsletter
    • Video Series >
      • What Do CDs Do?
      • Whidbey FarmWalks
    • Make A Difference Column
    • Weed Bulletin
    • Historical Maps