Sustainable Farms and Fields (SFF) is a new grant program that makes it easier and more affordable for farmers and ranchers to implement more climate-smart practices and projects that increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Through SFF, farmers and ranchers may receive free services — such as on-farm consultations, climate-smart farm plans, and other technical expertise — and financial assistance to help cover the cost of eligible projects, equipment, seeds for cover crops, and other expenses.
The Washington State Legislature created SFF in 2020 and provided seed funding for the Conservation Commission to design the program framework in partnership with the Washington State Agriculture Department, Washington State University, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Please take a moment to review the new SFF finalized guidelines here! The program will start taking applications toward the end of summer. Check back for more information and contact Alison Halpern (ahalpern@scc.wa.gov, 360-280-5556) if you have any questions.
You can watch the webinar here and download the slides here.
More details on applying for Sustainable Farms and Fields grants will be made available when we secure funding to launch the grant program.
Conservation districts and other public entities will be able to apply for SFF grants to help them deliver grant-eligible activities for interested farmers and ranchers in their communities. Examples of potential grant-eligible activities include:
Sustainable Farms and Fields incentivizes farming practices that increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also improve water and air quality and increase habitat for fish, wildlife, and pollinators.
Numerous carbon-smart practices provide co-benefits for farm operations, such as improved soil health, improved yield, and long-term cost savings.
Sustainable Farms and Fields may help farms and ranches of all sizes be more competitive in a carbon market, including underserved, low-income, and first-time farmers.
