Author: Karen Hills, Program Manager, Washington State Conservation Commission
The beginning steps
The first application review has occurred for Sustainable Farms and Fields, a program of the Washington State Conservation Commission with a goal of increasing carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions on farmland, rangeland, and aquaculture tidelands. Fifty-one applications were submitted, totaling approximately $2.1 million in requests, exceeding the $1.8M available in funding.
We are currently in the process of communicating with applicants regarding funding decisions. We anticipate having another application review in late January. Application for the second round of review may include the newly eligible practice of Soil Carbon Amendment (NRCS Interim Practice 808, federally adopted as Conservation Practice 336), pending SCC approval. We are looking forward to working with Conservation Districts and other public entities to implement some great projects with climate impact and multiple co-benefits for Washington State’s working lands.