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Financial Resources 

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Financial Assistance for Farms

A woman stands next to a heavy use area with a horse. Both horse and woman are looking at the camera.

"The cost share program was very exciting! We really had no plan or idea on how to manage the immense amount of water flowing through our property and how to keep the waste out of it. Having access to this resource was a huge asset in the development of our property." - Tristan Stanbro, Whatcom County Small Farm Owner

Small Grants Program

 

The Whatcom CD and Whatcom County Public Works have partnered together to bring a funding opportunity to manure producers in priority water quality watersheds of Whatcom County. Small grants up to $3000 are available for eligible Best Management Practices on farms who have completed a site assessment and have developed a Farm Plan with Whatcom CD farm planning staff.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact us: 360-526-2381 or ccheever@whatcomcd.org

Eligible Best Management Practices Include:

  • Heavy Use Area Protection

  • Manure Storage

  • Roof Runoff Structures

  • Fencing

  • Underground Outlets

  • Access Lanes

Sheep stare through a new fence. Under their feet is new gravel footing.
Small Grants Program
Two photos of the same heavy use area are shown next to each other. In the left photo there is a lot of mud and a muddy minature horse. In the right photos is dry sand and two full sized horses.

Before & After

Rebate
Goats look straight at the camera through a fene. Mount Baker is in the background.
Small Farm Rebate Program

 

Whatcom County Public Works is currently offering up to $300 rebates for heavy use area footing materials, fencing, gutters and outlets! Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to apply or contact a Farm Planner at Whatcom Conservation District (Whatcom CD) to see how you can qualify: 360-526-2381 or ccheever@whatcomcd.org. Visit Whatcom County Public Works' website for more information: www.whatcomcounty.us/2909/Small-Farm-Improvement-Rebates.

**This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J89801 to the Washington State Department of Health. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.**

Tarps
Tarps to Cover Manure Piles

 

If you have farm animals, manure happens. Covering your manure pile can increase the internal temperature speeding up the break down process of the material, killing parasites and retain your nutrients in the pile instead of the rains transporting them away. If you are interested in a free tarp to cover your manure pile, please contact us: 360-526-2384 or tgearhart@whatcomcd.org

A tarp wit hthe Whatcom CD logo covers manure. Tires hold down the tarp.
Equipment
A manure spreader with the Whatcom CD logo is being pulled by a truck as manure sprays out the back.
Borrow our Manure Spreader or Poultry Processing Equipment

Whatcom CD has a 2.5 cubic yard compost spreader available for loan to landowners in the District's service area.

Whatcom CD also has equipment for small-scale producers to safely process poultry for home consumption, or to slaughter poultry for direct marketing with a WSDA permit. 

Soil Testing
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: 360-526-2384 or tgearhart@whatcomcd.org

Someone holds a pink bucket with a soil probe inside it. The bucket is filled with newly collected dirt.
Two women stand in front of two horses. On Woman holds a Sound Horsekeeping sign.
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: 360-526-2381 or ccheever@whatcomcd.org.

Sound Horsekeeing
Septic System Evaluation & Maintenance Rebates

 

Having your system regularly inspected and performing maintenance tasks saves you money in the long run and helps protect our waters, but we understand that it takes time and money right now.  The Whatcom County septic rebate program can reimburse you for costs associated with a system evaluation, installation of operation and maintenance equipment, or septic tank pumping. 

Three septic system lids are aligned in a row.
Septic Rebats
Additional Resources
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