Whidbey Island Conservation District

preserving natural resources
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Farming on Whidbey Island 

The Whidbey Island Conservation District provides no-cost technical assistance and farm planning services to landowners and operators on Whidbey Island.  You don’t have to be a commercial farmer to have a farm plan developed.  In fact, most of our cooperators are small or hobby farmers on small acreage.  All the services of the Conservation District are free and without obligation.

WICD has a Farm Planner available to make free site visits to your farm to assist with pasture layout, pasture and waste management, weed control, fencing, composting and more!

There are many benefits to implementing the Best Management Practices.  Some of them are more tangible than others like less mud, more pasture.  And then there are those that you don't necessarily think about until afterwards like less vet calls, less hay that has to be purchased and fed and more time to enjoy the animals that we have!
Farm/Conservation Plans
There are many questions as to what a Farm Plan is, how to get one and how to implement the farm plan once it is received.  We'll guide you!

What is a Farm Plan?
A farm plan is a document developed by your Conservation District Farm Planner and you, the farmer or landowner.  The farm plan outlines a series of appropriate activities, or best management practices, identified to help you reach your goals for your property while protecting water quality and natural resources. 

How do I get a Farm Plan?
First, contact the Conservation District to express interest.  Following this, a District Farm Planner will set up an appointment to meet with you at your property to discuss your goals and to inventory the existing resources on your land i.e. vegetation cover, soil types and characteristics, current agricultural practices.  The Farm Planner will recommend changes and offer instructional assistance to improve productivity of your farm and reduce the overall impact on natural resources. 

Need a farm plan, or just some good advice?  Contact us today!

Resources for farmers:
 
Learn about your site soils, type your property address into the Web Soil Survey program.
 
Farm Tips Guide - Download here or stop by our office for a hard copy
 
WSU Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources
 
Office of Farmland Preservation - Olympia

Island County Critical Areas Ordinance
 
Horses For Clean Water
Got Manure?
Do you have extra manure to give away?  WICD would like to compile a Manure Sources List. To be included on the list, please contact our office at 360-678-4708 or 888-678-4922.  This program was developed to serve you as another tool for responsible management of the manure that your livestock produce.


Or Make Compost!  WICD can help design your compost system.






 
 
 
To learn about composting manure, as well as sizing and building bins, follow this link to a copy of the Small Farm Composting Guide.  This guide was developed specifically for use in Western Washington: