Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Washington state conservation commission to develop a sustainable farms and fields grant program in consultation with the department of agriculture, Washington State University, and the United States department of agriculture natural resources conservation service (Sec. 3).

• Appropriates funds for the sustainable farms and fields grant program by the following amount percentages, including (Sec. 3):

• No more than 15 percent for develop, consult, or contract with private or public entities to develop a grant program, an educational awareness and outreach campaign;

• No more than 5 percent to cover administrative costs; and

• No more than 20 percent may be awarded to any single grant applicant.

• Specifies that the grant may be used for the following purposes, including (Sec. 3):

• Annual payments to enrolled participants for successfully delivered carbon storage or reduction;

• Up-front payments for contracted carbon storage;

• Down payments or purchases on equipment;

• Purchase of seed, seedlings, spores, animal feed, and amendments;

• Services to landowners to increase soil organic levels and reduce livestock emissions; or

• Other equipment purchases or financial assistance deemed appropriate by the commission to fulfil the intent of this act.

• Requires that by October 15, 2021 and every 2 years thereafter, the commission report to the legislature and governor on the performance of the sustainable farms and fields grant program (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Washington state conservation commission to develop a sustainable farms and fields grant program in consultation with the department of agriculture, Washington State University, and the United States department of agriculture natural resources conservation service (Sec. 3).

• Appropriates funds for the sustainable farms and fields grant program by the following amount percentages, including (Sec. 3):

• No more than 15 percent for develop, consult, or contract with private or public entities to develop a grant program, an educational awareness and outreach campaign;

• No more than 5 percent to cover administrative costs; and

• No more than 20 percent may be awarded to any single grant applicant.

• Specifies that the grant may be used for the following purposes, including (Sec. 3):

• Annual payments to enrolled participants for successfully delivered carbon storage or reduction;

• Up-front payments for contracted carbon storage;

• Down payments or purchases on equipment;

• Purchase of seed, seedlings, spores, animal feed, and amendments;

• Services to landowners to increase soil organic levels and reduce livestock emissions; or

• Other equipment purchases or financial assistance deemed appropriate by the commission to fulfil the intent of this act.

• Requires that by October 15, 2021 and every 2 years thereafter, the commission report to the legislature and governor on the performance of the sustainable farms and fields grant program (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text