Addressing critical farm bill and resource conservation programs workload across WA state, as staff capacity is low

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded $341,840.25 to the Conservation Commission Washington State through a Project Grant under the Conservation Reserve Program (CFDA 10.069) to address critical workload capacity gaps in Farm Bill and resource conservation program delivery across Washington State. The award, effective September 15, 2025, through July 31, 2030, funds technical assistance and staffing support to manage program implementation backlogs and expand delivery infrastructure for conservation practices focused on soil erosion reduction, water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat protection.

The funded activities support state-level capacity building for CRP implementation, including hiring and deployment of dedicated technical staff to process applications, provide conservation planning expertise, certify conservation practices, and deliver outreach to underserved landowner populations. As a state conservation agency and established prime grantee for NRCS programs, the Conservation Commission will leverage this funding to strengthen program delivery infrastructure and reduce processing delays for landowners seeking to participate in the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program across Washington State.