Efforts in sustainable agriculture and waterway protection by Spokane Conservation District are gaining national recognition. In partnership with the Department of Ecology, Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association, and local farmers, the district has promoted innovative conservation practices that safeguard waterways and support environmental health.
The Farmed Smart Certification & Direct Seed Loan Implementation Program recently received an Exceptional Project designation under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s PISCES award. This recognition underscores the program's role in advancing direct seed and no-tillage farming practices in Eastern Washington.
Program outcomes include 30,000 acres certified with regenerative practices, 107,000 acres adopting environmentally friendly tillage, and 7,000 tons of sediment prevented from entering waterways. By making direct seed technology more accessible, the program helps local farmers protect water quality while maintaining productivity.
Ty Meyer, Farmed Smart Program Manager, highlighted the importance of these partnerships, noting that the program is considered one of the best conservation adaptation models in the country. These efforts continue to provide valuable solutions for Eastern Washington’s agricultural community.
Read the full article: International World Times
In an arid landscape dominated by dryland grain production and rangeland, this pilot focuses on reducing soil loss, improving water availability, and supporting habitat health. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient working lands under changing conditions.
In a working lands landscape shaped by dryland farming, grazing, and irrigated agriculture, this pilot focuses on reducing erosion, keeping soil on the land, and improving stream and habitat conditions. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient farms and healthy watersheds.
Within a productive agricultural landscape shaped by dairy and crop production, this pilot focuses on improving water quality, managing nutrients, and reducing flood risks. Monitoring and conservation tracking help partners understand how voluntary conservation supports both farm viability and long-term watershed health.
