Farm & Agriculture Assistance
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One of the core services that WICD is proud to provide is support to agricultural producers and rural acreage landowners in the form of conservation planning services and technical assistance. We have a unique niche in the community as trained conservation planners and are committed to helping the island's rural residents and their natural resources thrive.
Farm and agriculture technical assistance may mean different things to different people. You may be wondering - what exactly is conservation planning and what benefit would it have to me and my land? For starters, conservation planning as an approach allows you the opportunity to learn how to more accurately "read your landscape" and learn about your land's soil, water, air, plant, animal, economic, and energy capabilities and limitations.
Our planners follow the 9-steps of conservation planning with you, at your own pace. Learn more about the history of conservation planning. By working with one of our conservation planners, you can improve your natural resource management decision making skills, address natural resource problems occurring on your land, identify relevant opportunities for more effective management decisions, and clearly define and align your land use goals with tangible possibilities presence on the land in a realistic timeframe. Although you may have a specific question you'd like answered - and which we are happy to assist in locating resources to answer that question - our conservation planning process encourages you as land manager or own to address your property's natural resource challenges and opportunities from a complete system approach. We look forward to introducing you further to this process. Request assistance at the form below. Farm & Agriculture Starter SeriesAre you fresh to the field of agriculture or ranching? Or are you wishing to get back in touch with some skills or resources you haven't seen for years? Not sure where to start? Look no further than our Starter Series - these three will get you started on learning about our conservation planning services, and our roles and yours in the planning process.
Learn About Conservation PlanningLearn about our Conservation Planning process and services from Natural Resource Planner Kelsi Mottet and landowner Jessica Aws. |
Click to be redirected to a real-time opportunity to receive expedited and streamlined planning and financial assistance for your ag land. For eligible Whidbey Island producers only.
Farm & Agriculture ResourcesFarm planning RESOURCES
WICD farm planners are available to assist you in implementing conservation planning on your farm or rural property. Take a look at some of our top farm-focused resources below, organized by topic.
Agriculture in Island County Code
Note that if your property is located within an Urban Growth Area (UGA), such as a municipality like the City of Oak Harbor, Town of Coupeville, or City of Langley, then you will need to reference the municipal code for that UGA instead of this.
Working with the Conservation District
Getting Started on Your Farm
Soil Testing & Soil Building
Pasture Management & Grazing Systems
Cover Cropping & Crop Rotation
Weed Management
Livestock Management
Mud & Manure Management
Insect Management & Pollinators
Water Management - Testing, Irrigation, Catchment, etc.
Water Rights
Weather Data & Planning Agricultural Resiliency & Agroforestry
Renewable Energy Programs & Resources for Farms
Orchard Care
HoRSEKEEPing RESOURCES
WICD farm planners are available to help assist you in the planning and implementation of conservation measures for your horse farm. Check out our top resources for horse owners below and visit our Horsekeeping webpage.
Agriculture in Island County Code
Note that if your property is located within an Urban Growth Area (UGA), such as a municipality like the City of Oak Harbor, Town of Coupeville, or City of Langley, then you will need to reference the municipal code for that UGA instead of this.
Getting Started on Your Property
Pasture Management
Soil Testing & Soil Building
Mud & Manure Management
Livestock Health & Wellness
Water Rights
Livestock Disposal State & FEderal Agricultural Assistance Programs
There are many organizations of both regional, state, and federal designation that supply agricultural services and assistance to farmland owners. Peruse the list below to learn more about each organization and its benefits to you as an agricultural producer and farmland owner.
United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service is a federal agency with field offices located throughout Washington state to assist in voluntary conservation on rural lands. NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs, the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. Below are a sampling of the financial assistance programs available to rural landowners on Whidbey Island. Click on the link for each program to learn more, or subscribe to receive financial assistance updates directly to your email by visiting here. Financial Assistance to Rural Landowners
Office Phone: (360) 428-7684 Office Address: 2021 E. College Way, Suite 214, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 
The Washington State Farm Service Agency serves the agricultural community through 25 county USDA service centers and one state office, located in Spokane. The Washington FSA State Committee and locally-elected county committees provide producer input to federal farm programs. FSA helps to ensure a stable food supply for the nation by supporting American farmers. This is accomplished through the implementation of farm programs authorized by Congress. The programs currently carried out in Washington State are categorized under: Conservation, Disaster Assistance, Price Support, Farm Loans, and Energy Programs. To learn more about the FSA's services, visit the Washington State Farm Service Agency website.
USDA's Rural Development Office is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. The office offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services, and supports loans to businesses through banks, credit unions, and community-managed lending pools. Additionally, technical assistance is offered through the office to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve operations effectiveness. To learn more, visit the USDA Washington State Rural Development office website. 
The Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP), a program within the Washington State Conservation Commission, works to address the rapid loss of working farm and forest lands in our state. They do this through:
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been serving the state's agriculture community and the public for more than 100 years. The mission is: Through service, regulation, and advocacy, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) supports the viability and vitality of agriculture while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. The nature of WSDA's work falls into three categories:
Did you know that Puget Sound Energy (PSE) offers free energy upgrades for your farm and agricultural business? If you are looking to cut your energy bills, you should consider visiting PSE's website to learn about the services available at-no-cost to you at www.pse.com/sbdi. Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) - The Agricultural Marketing Service is an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture and has programs in five commodity areas: cotton and tobacco, dairy, fruit and vegetation, livestock and seed, and poultry. These programs provide testing, standardization, grading and market news services for those commodities, and oversee marketing agreements and orders, administer research and promotion programs, and purchase commodities for federal food programs. Visit the AMS website. ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA is a program developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). NCAT is a private nonprofit organization, founded in 1976, which manages a series of projects that promote self-reliance and sustainable lifestyles through wise use of appropriate technology. Its programs deal with sustainable and renewable energy, energy conservation, resource-efficient housing, sustainable community development, and sustainable agriculture. Check our ATTRA's National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service website. Better Ground -Better Ground is about taking small stewardship actions at home and in our communities to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife, and related natural resources. "Better Ground" is an effort to increase conservation outcomes in the Puget Sound region and to enroll more citizens in conservation efforts. It's a collective initiative of your regional Puget Sound Conservation Districts, a group of 12 trusted agencies who help you find solutions for your backyard, farm, forest, or property within your community - and all for free! Visit the Better Ground website. Farmers.gov - Farmers.gov provides farmers, ranchers, private foresters, and agricultural producers with online self-service applications, educational materials, engagement opportunities, and business tools to increase efficiency and productivity while preserving and fostering long-held traditional relationships between local USDA offices and producers. Visit the Farmers.gov website. National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) - The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. NSAC’s vision of agriculture is one where a safe, nutritious, ample, and affordable food supply is produced by a legion of family farmers who make a decent living pursuing their trade, while protecting the environment, and contributing to the strength and stability of their communities. There are some great resources for farmers on the NSAC Publications page. Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) - Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education is a competitive research and outreach program that advances sustainable agriculture across the whole of American agriculture. SARE is administered through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and is run by four regional councils of producers, researchers, educators, and government representatives that set SARE policy and make grants. Successful SARE grantees are producers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, and educators engaged in projects that simultaneously address the three "P's" of sustainability:
Web Soil Survey (WSS) - Web Soil Survey provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), it provides access to the largest natural resource informatino system in the world. NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation's counties. The site is updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information. Visit the Web Soil Survey website. 
WorkSource is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that provides an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington. Customers access services electronically through WorkSourceWA.com or through a network of more than 60 WorkSource centers, affiliates and connection sites. Here in Washington state, WorkSource helps thousands of farmworkers find jobs and connect with important community resources. To learn more, visit the WorkSourceWA Farmerworkers Resources page. COUNTY TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR FARM LANDOWNERS
Washington Dept. of Revenue &
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