The Vetter Farm has been part of the local agricultural landscape since the 1890s. Once a family homestead, the property was generously donated to Washington State University (WSU) in 2020 and is now jointly managed by the Stevens County Conservation District (SCCD) and WSU Extension.
Together, SCCD and WSU have revitalized the 158-acre property into a working demonstration site that mirrors a typical Stevens County farm while also serving as a hub for research, education, and innovation. About 120 acres are managed in partnership to support soil health trials, agroforestry demonstrations, and a reservoir for livestock, all designed to promote resilience amid shifting precipitation patterns.
The mission of Vetter Farm is simple yet powerful: to provide the local agricultural community with a space for networking, sharing ideas, and testing new approaches that strengthen the region’s working lands. Through partnerships with NRCS, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local producers, the farm hosts hands-on field days and collaborative learning events that bring science and practice together.
The Vetter Farm stands as a testament to the value of partnership, where local knowledge, research, and conservation align to ensure Stevens County agriculture continues to thrive for generations to come.
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.
