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OUR MISSION
Dedicated to supporting sustainable agricultural roots while fostering environmental stewardship. VSP bridges the gap between sustainable agriculture and the protection of critical areas in Columbia County.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
At the Voluntary Stewardship Program, we are committed to promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. We offer a range of resources and funding opportunities to support farmers, ranchers, and landowners in implementing sustainable practices. Our goal is to protect critical areas and safeguard the environment while fostering a thriving agricultural community. Join us in our mission to create a sustainable future for agriculture.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
1. Reduced or No till
2. Implementation of irrigation/watering systems
3. Reforestation
4. Fencing Projects
5. Forest Thinning
6. Riparian Planting
7. Spring Development
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VSP
The Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) is an alternative to the Growth Management Act (GMA) and its Critical Areas Ordinance requirements. VSP focuses on the protection of critical areas while preserving agricultural viability. Participation in VSP is voluntary, while the GMA is a regulatory system. VSP seeks to protect and enhance critical areas within participating counties. The five types of critical areas subject to VSP are wetlands, frequently flooded areas, aquifer recharge areas, geologically hazardous areas, and habitat. Only those critical areas that intersect with agriculture activities will be addressed under VSP. Participating in VSP allows landowners another option to protect critical areas on their land while allowing them a cost share benefit to implementing these types of projects. Landowners who are interested in the Voluntary Stewardship Program are encouraged to reach out to the Columbia County Conservation District. Once a producer contacts the district, a meeting time will be arranged. District staff will use county maps to show the producer the critical areas on his or her agricultural ground. A technician will help fill out the VSP checklist, listing the conservation practices already being implemented. The technician can help identify what additional practices could be used to further protect the areas and what cost share might be available to aid in that transition. Progress is measured as a whole within the county.
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Columbia County opted into the VSP process in 2017. The county elected to have the Columbia County Conservation District and Columbia County Planning Department to direct the program. Under the VSP process, a VSP Work Group made up of local residents guided the development of the county work plan. The Work Group is made up of stakeholders and producers in Columbia County. We are currently seeking applicants for our VSP work group. The county work plan includes, among other things, a list of the critical areas subject to VSP, an outreach plan, and benchmarks or goals for the county. The process is guided by the Washington Conservation Commission; more information on the VSP process can be found at their website: http://scc.wa.gov/voluntary-stewardship-program/.
The Columbia County Work Group submitted the Work Plan to the state and it was approved in July of 2018. Please see the VSP Resources and Information page for more information about our locally developed plan!
The minutes of recent meetings are listed below.
Jan 30, 2025 November 5, 2024 September 12, 2024 August 15, 2024 May 30, 2024
May 2, 2024 February 21, 2024 February 7, 2024 January 3, 2024
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