Farming Resources
Farm Planning
The Skagit Conservation District provides free technical assistance to local farm landowners interested in improving their property. A farm plan, which is a series of actions, will be developed to meet the goals of each individual. As we create a farm plan, we evaluate each resource using the concept of SWAPAHE (Soil, Water, Air, Plants, Animals, Humans, & Energy). That is, focusing on the natural systems that sustain our natural resources, while considering social, cultural & economic conditions. Farm size, soil type, slope of the land, proximity to water, and types of livestock/crops are all considered.
Best Management Practices
Best Management Practices are tools that farmers can use to run an efficient and cost-effective farm. By reducing soil and fertilizer runoff and properly managing animal waste, BMPS also help protect water and air quality on farms. The use of BMPs help achieve multiple positive outcomes in natural and human resources! Whether the BMP be physical, structural or a management practice, you are benefiting wildlife, improving the energy efficiency of the farm, and making management easier on you. Because of variability, BMPs must be tailored to the type of operation, the physical conditions, and environmental factors.
Cost Share Program
The Skagit Conservation District has cost share funds available to farm landowners to offset the cost of implementing best management practices. Contact a farm planner to see if you're eligible. Cost Share Program
Monthly Farm Planner
Check our monthly farm planner to stay up to date and on schedule for this year.
Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a land management system that combines the production of perennial and annual crops with forest plants and/or livestock on the same unit of land to increase yield, ecological benefits, and maximize ecosystem services.
Practices of Agroforestry
The Benefits
· Combination of economic production with environmental protection
· Increased potential to increase production and profitability
· Providing diversity and flexibility into a production system
· Increases in wildlife and beneficial insect habitat
· Creates a more sustainable system
· Carbon sequestration
PNW Farmers Tackle Wet Fields with Agroforestry
For more information on agroforestry, contact Ryan Gelwicks at 360-899-8107 or ryan@skagitcd.org
Additional Resources
Learn more about agroforestry:
Cover Crop Grant Program
Skagit County VSP and Skagit Conservation District are teaming up to provide grants to help farmers offset the cost of cover crop seed. Cover crops are a great way to recycle nitrogen, improve soil organic matter and carbon sequestration, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and maintain living roots and the soil biotic community. If you are thinking about trying cover crops in your fields, consider applying for a grant with us. To get started, fill out the application below or for more information contact an SCD Farm Planner.
Overview and Eligibility
Grants will be awarded for this limited funding on a first-come, first served basis following review of applications. There are no acreage minimum or maximum requirements. All planted acres must be in Skagit County. Seed costs will be reimbursed for approved applications. Producers supply the labor and the equipment or hire the work out. SCD farm planners will work with producers to develop an approved termination plan. All seed must be consistent with local and state ordinances and regulations (i.e. restrictions on brassicas in commercial brassica seed growing areas). Purchased seed must be free of prohibited noxious weed seeds and have a germination rate of 80% or better.
Next Steps
Once you complete your application a SCD Planner will review your information and get in contact. Planners will work to identify fields on a map and calculate acreage. Once all this information is collected and approved, the planner and producer will sign the contract and approve ordering seed. *Cover crops may be grazed or chopped for on-farm livestock forage after becoming well established. Manure may be applied in the fall at agronomic rates.
To receive payment, producers must certify cover crop germination/establishment with the Skagit Conservation District farm planner.
For more information on this program contact: Jeff Frazier or Ryan Gelwicks
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Dairy Nutrient Management Program
The purpose of the Skagit Conservation District’s Dairy Nutrient Management Program is to assist licensed dairy operations in complying with the 1998 Washington State Dairy Nutrient Management Act. The Act requires that all licensed dairy operations obtain a conservation district approved and certified nutrient management plan and that all structural and management practices that are prescribed in the plan are implemented.
Nutrient management is the practice of utilizing dairy nutrients (manure) to maximize forage and crop growth without degradation of soil and water resources. A Dairy Nutrient Management Plan is a tool used by dairy operators to properly collect, store, transfer and utilize the wastewater and manure that is produced on dairy facilities. The Plan calculates the amount of wastewater and manure that is or will be produced at each individual facility and documents the collection, storage, and transfer systems. The Plan also specifies dates and conditions when manure should not be applied to crop fields and specifies a manure and soil testing schedule.
Each Plan is specific to the individual dairy operation and is written according to USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and specifications. All structural and management practices that are prescribed in the Plan must also meet or exceed these standards and specifications.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Nutrient Management Program is the agency that oversees the implementation and continued management of Dairy Nutrient Management Plans. Each dairy operation is inspected at least once every two years by one of the livestock inspectors. If changes or updates are needed, then the inspector refers the dairy operator to the local conservation district for assistance.
Information in the map is live and updated 1-2 times a week.
Water Quality Monitoring Results Map
WSDA has developed an interactive water quality monitoring results map to address the high demand from residents for the current water quality readings in their area. This map contains storm event sampling done by WSDA. It does not contain ambient, or enforcement data. Click on the map below to access live results.
Assess whether your field conditions are appropriate for manure application and much, much more!
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Manure Share
This is a voluntary, community resource, connecting farmers who have excess manure on their site with locals who need manure to improve soil in gardens and/or landscapes. Skagit Conservation District will maintain this list. It's simple, FREE, and is a great way to recycle valuable nutrients and organic matter!
For those seeking manure:
1. Determine your needs: What quality and mix of materials do you need? How much do you need?
2. Arrange transportation: Make sure you have a vehicle capable of picking up the manure
3. Select your source: Review the table to find the right source that meets your needs
4. Schedule a pickup: Call the farm beforehand to arrange a time and date
5. Compost at your site: Follow the composting guidelines here
6. Use as a soil amendment: Once composted, apply as needed!
Here are some questions to help you plan:
1. How much manure do you need?
Calculate volume needed (depth x area). Convert to cubic yards (27 cubic feet in one cubic yard). Plan for the number of truck loads required for target volume. Note: most pickups can only handle 3/4 - 1 yard at a time. If you are getting a lot of material, chose a farm with a loader or plan to spend a lot of time with your shovel loading your truck
2. When will you need the manure?
Some farms have manure piles that are not accessible during winter.
3. Are you looking for “Aged” or “Fresh” material?
Older material may be closer to “finished compost” than newer material. See the “Age” column in the Manure Share Source List. If you want old material, be sure to ask the farmer. Often the oldest material is at the back of pile, and the material at the front of the pile is from yesterday. Let the farmer know what you want; they may be able to load the older material for you. It is worth asking.
4. What is your end goal?
If mulch for landscaping; a manure pile with mostly bedding is a good choice. However, for composting for your garden, a material with little or no bedding is better choice (check the “manure/bedding” column in the Manure Share Source List). Know that some beddings will compost faster (straw breaks down quicker and cedar shavings take a very long time).
5. How do you control the weeds?
Weeds can be a real problem with some compost piles. Contrary to popular belief, horses don’t “poop” out significantly more weeds than cows. Weeds present in manure piles, are generated primarily from seeds of weed plants growing near the manure pile. Keep the pile covered with a tarp to prevent weed seed invasion and to compost the pile. The heat and time involved in composting will kill most weed seeds. Because we can’t vouch for the weed seed content of these manure piles, we highly encourage you to cover and compost this material for a month or two before applying it.
Equipment Share
The Skagit Conservation District is dedicated to helping Skagit County farmers to overcome barriers and support local agriculture. As part of this goal we now have an equipment share program that includes a Manure Spreader, Cone Spreader, No Till Drill, and Weed wrench.
The following pieces of equipment are available to land managers for rental
(no-till drill, manure injector and manure spreader are available mid-March through mid-October).
Large Equipment Season Closed