Farm Planning

Request A Site Visit

Do you want to improve your chore efficiency, animal & soil health, and pasture productivity?

Learn what opportunities exist on your farm when you request free, confidential, no obligation and voluntary farm planning services from the Whatcom CD.

What is the Farm Planning Process?

Call or visit our office to meet a farm planner and schedule a visit. We come out to your property to walk the land with you and learn about your agricultural and land management goals.

We then research and assemble information and resources to help you reach your goals.
Schedule a second meeting to review checklist and farm plan map to see if there are any revisions required. We present resources to help you move forward towards your goals.

Upon completion of a farm plan with the Conservation District, you may be eligible for small reimbursement grants to help with installation of new resource conservation practices on your farm, if current grant funding allows. Click here to learn more about financial resources.

You can find more information on best management practices in the online booklet “Tips on Land & Water Management for Small Farm & Livestock Owners in Whatcom County, Washington” (18mb).

What is a Standard Farm Conservation Plan?

A livestock farm plan in Whatcom County is based on a do-it-yourself planning workbook. This is a 29-question checklist and an action plan. The checklist, action plan and a map of practices are the essentials of a farm plan in Whatcom County. This process will show you how your current or planned conditions align with conservation of natural resources on your land and the Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance. You can view a PDF of the booklet (18mb) or Print Version (18mb - formatted for easier booklet printing).

How else can we help you? Additional Services:

Equipment Share - Manure Spreader and Poultry Processing Equipment.
Workshops and Events - Monthly Speaker Series and Annual Small Farm Expo.
Financial Assistance Opportunities - rebates and small grants.

Manure Link- list your manure or look for manure sources.

Soil Testing for Pastures, Haylands and Croplands

Get a jumpstart on your nutrient management and learn more about your soil. Soil testing is a great way to find out how last years nutrient application lined up with what the crop needed to grow. A fall soil test can also help the planning process for what to apply next growing season. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us.

Tarps to Cover Manure Piles

If you have farm animals, manure happens. Covering your manure pile during winter rains to maintain the wetness of a wrung out sponge allows composting to happen. High temperatures of active composting (at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit for at least three days) kill parasites & weed seeds. Nutrients are retained in the pile instead of the rain transporting them away. If you are interested in a free tarp to cover your manure pile, Please contact us.

Sound Horsekeeping

Whether horses are you passion or your business, you no doubt want to keep them healthy and happy! The Sound Horsekeeping program launched in Summer 2018 and recognizes horse owners in Whatcom County who have taken actions to improve pastures, reduce mud, manage manure and provide wildlife habitat on their property. If you're managing your property in a way that protects horse health and the environment, you are probably eligible to earn our Sound Horsekeeping sign. Please review this checklist and give us a call to review your eligibility.