Farming
Farm Planning
The Skagit Conservation District offers free, voluntary, and confidential help for local farmers who want to take care of their land and make it more productive.
When you work with one of our conservation planners, you’ll create a farm plan—a practical, step-by-step guide that helps you reach your goals while protecting the natural resources on your property. We’ll look at things like your soil type, the slope of your land, nearby streams or water bodies, the kinds of livestock or crops you have, and the equipment and resources available to you.
Together, we’ll come up with actions that make your land easier to manage, more efficient, and more sustainable for the future.
Best Management Practices
Best Management Practices, or BMPs, are proven tools and techniques that help you run your farm more efficiently while protecting soil, water, and air quality. Examples include fencing along streams, planting native vegetation, improving pastures, composting manure, and managing runoff or drainage.
Every farm is different, so we tailor BMPs to fit your operation and goals. Using these practices can help reduce runoff, improve water and air quality, support wildlife, save energy, and make daily management easier.
Your conservation planner can help you decide which practices are the best fit for your property, connect you with possible financial assistance, and set a schedule that works for you.
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
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Combination of economic production with environmental protection
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Increased potential to increase production and profitability
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Providing diversity and flexibility into a production system
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Increases in wildlife and beneficial insect habitat
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Creates a more sustainable system
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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
Learn more about agroforestry:
Cover Crop 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.
Small Equipment
(Available to borrow at no charge during all seasons)
Soil Probes
Available to borrow at no charge. A soil probe is a tool with a hollow shaft used to take soil samples from the ground for examination and/or testing. The probe is inserted into the soil and removed, lifting soil in the tube. Soil testing to assess soil composition, moisture levels, and root health, is helpful to inform fertilization or watering needs.
"Squirty Gertie" Milking Cow
"Squirty Gertie" milking cow is a flat plywood character mounted on a metal frame which also supports the udders (a bucket with 4 milk bottle nipples) where artificial “milk” is contained for the milking demonstration/game. Squirty Gertie is available to borrow at no charge.
Large Equipment
Subject to rental fee, delivery fee, and cleaning deposit.
(No-till drill, manure injector and manure spreader are available mid-March through mid-October).
Large Equipment Season Closed
Cone Spreader
The Skagit Conservation District has Rankin Cone Spreader available for rent to Skagit Residents. This spreader is a self-contained, towable implement that can be operated by almost any vehicle. It has a ground driven, cast iron, oil bath gearbox that can be disengaged when transporting. It is ideal for spreading seed, fertilizer, sand, and salt. The large 16" diameter x 6.5" wide tires make this a “Turf Friendly” implement and can be hitched to any 2” ball.
The spreader is available mid-March through mid-October. for a $25/day or $50/weekend fee to offset insurance and maintenance costs.
Rental Fee: Daily $25/Weekend $50 (Friday PM to Monday AM)
Delivery fee (Required): $2/mile
Cleaning Deposit: $100 (will be refunded upon return and approval)
Please fill out Reservation Request and Pay Online below. Must allow 48 hours to process.
Manure Spreader
The Skagit Conservation District has a manure spreader for rent to our Skagit residents. The CM-50 is a compact manure spreader that operates with a ground drive system. You can easily haul this manure spreader with an ATV, UTV, or compact tractor. This ground-drive manure spreader doesn’t require any PTO to operate since the wheels provide the power to the stainless-steel apron chain and spreader beaters. The spreader is available for a $30/day or $80/weekend fee to offset insurance and maintenance costs.
A 3/4 ton tow vehicle with a 2 5/16″ ball and trailer brake controller is required to tow the trailer. Once you have selected dates and paid online, a farm planner will contact you shortly before your reservation to coordinate a drop off time. Available mid-March through mid-October.
Rental Fee: Daily $30/Weekend $80 (Friday PM to Monday AM)
Delivery Fee (required): $2/mile
Cleaning Deposit: $100 (will be refunded upon return and approval)
Please fill out Reservation Request and Pay Online below. Must allow 48 hours to process.
Manure Spreader Season Closed
Liquid Manure Injector
Skagit Conservation District has a 10-foot wide Aerway sub-surface liquid manure injector available for rent to Skagit Residents. This equipment is designed to be used in tandem with a tanker truck for liquid manure. The tines in front of the splash plates allow for manure to be more quickly incorporated into the soil which reduces the amount of nitrogen volatilization and increases efficiency when spreading. It is available for a $60/day or $150/weekend fee to offset insurance and maintenance costs. Landowners should contact an SCD farm planner prior to renting the equipment to make sure it is the right fit for them. This will ensure that the equipment is needed and will be utilized in a manner that is contributing to the health of the field. A farm planner will contact you shortly before your reservation to coordinate a drop off time. Available mid-March through mid-October.
Rental Fee: Daily $60/Weekend $150 (Friday PM to Monday AM)
Delivery Fee (required): $2/mile
Cleaning Deposit: $100 (will be refunded upon return and approval)
Please fill out Reservation Request and Pay Online below. Must allow 48 hours to process.
Manure Injector Season Closed
No Till Drill
The Skagit Conservation District has a Esch 5607 No Till Drill available for rent to Skagit residents. It is available for a $25/day plus $15/acre fee to offset insurance and maintenance costs. Landowners are required to conduct a site visit with an SCD farm planner who will develop a farm plan and or write a technical assistance memo assuring the use of the drill is needed and utilized in a manner that will contribute to the health of the pasture. A farm planner will contact you shortly before your reservation to coordinate a drop off time. Available mid-March through mid-October.
Rental Fee: Daily $25 plus $15/acre
Delivery Fee (required): $2/mile
Cleaning Deposit: $100 (will be refunded upon return and approval)
Please fill out Reservation Request and Pay Online below. Must allow 48 hours to process.
Seed Drill Season Closed
Project Highlight
If you're interested in learning about conservation techniques that might work for your situation, call our friendly Farm Planners to schedule a free consultation! 360-428-4313
