Conservation Commission Accepting Applications for Farmland Preservation Grant Sponsorship

The Washington State Conservation Commission will begin accepting applications for proposals seeking Commission sponsorship of Farmland Preservation Program grants.  Applications will be accepted by the Commission beginning February 23 and concluding on March 12 at 5:00pm for grants to protect farmland.

In 2009, the legislature amended the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) within the larger Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) to include the eligibility of the State Conservation Commission (SCC) to apply for funds through the program.  According to the new statutory language, a match is not required for proposals from the SCC.

Grants may be used to buy conservation easements to protect valuable farmland from being converted to another use. Portions of grants may also be used to enhance the agricultural production of preserved farmland or to help restore or enhance ecological functions, including providing benefits to wildlife.  Eligible farmland may include ranch land and irrigated or dry cropland.

The pre-proposal process is open and competitive. Pre-proposals are reviewed and scored by SCC staff based on criteria established by the SCC.  Staff will submit a prioritized list of projects to the SCC commissioners who will then determine how many projects to advance.

To download the announcement, go to: 2010 WWRP-SCC Announcement

To download a pre-proposal form, go to: 2010 SCC Pre Proposal

For information on the WWRP Farmland Preservation program, please see: RCO WWRP Farmland Preservation Policy Guide

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Josh Giuntoli at jgiuntoli@scc.wa.gov 360-407-7474, or Ron Shultz at rshu461@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-7507