Sustaining Productivity on Agricultural Lands
KCD Farm Conservation Plans are documents developed jointly by King Conservation District and land managers. Farm Conservation Plans include actions that land managers can take to achieve their land use goals while protecting water and other natural resources. The planning process takes into consideration the size of the farm, type of soils, slope of the land, proximity to streams or water bodies, type of livestock or crops, and resources such as machinery, buildings and available finances.
KCD Farm Conservation Resource Planners look at changes that can be made to improve farm productivity and reduce impacts on natural resources. Some examples include stream-side fencing, gutters and downspouts, composting manure, pasture management and renovation, weed management techniques, creating sacrifice areas, cross fencing and pasture rotation of livestock. Farm Conservation Resource Planners also offer technical assistance on questions such as what grasses to plant, how to build a fence and when to mow.
Once the land manager has decided which changes they’d like to make on their property, they work with the Resource Planner to set a tentative implementation schedule. Revisions of the schedule and the plan can be made as the goals and needs of the land manager change.
Farm Conservation Plans may help land managers with livestock meet the requirements of the King County Livestock Management Ordinance. The ordinance requires livestock owners in King County to meet certain management standards to protect and improve the health of the environment. Additional information may be found on the King County Livestock Programs web site.
All aspects of Farm Conservation Planning services provided by KCD are free of charge and without obligation as KCD is a non-regulatory, non-enforcement agency. If you would would like assistance, please fill out a Farm Conservation Planning Technical Assistance Request.
Subscribe to KCD’s Monthly Newsletter and/or the Quarterly KCD Farm Planners’ Almanac!
For information about USDA NRCS Cost-Share and other programs in King county, visit:
For information about other aspects of farming and ranching in King county, visit:
and the Farm King County Data Center:
