About Us
Next Meeting, Nov 18th, 2025 @ 8:30 AM at the Pomeroy Conservation Office. Discussion for VSP Cost Share Applications.
Garfield County Voluntary Stewardship Program
Stewardship Program Sign-Up
Garfield County received funding from the Washington State Conservation Commission to complete a plan to protect and/or restore critical areas within private lands while maintaining the viability of agriculture. The Pomeroy Conservation District (CD) was selected to lead this planning process and volunteers contacted Garfield County. 8 local volunteers worked to develop the Work Plan over 18 months with support from a statewide technical panel and local biologists. For more information on Garfield County VSP go to www.garfieldcountyvsp.com
The Garfield County Work Plan was approved June 20, 2018. The Work Plan identified critical areas within Garfield County (wetlands, frequently flooded areas, fish and wildlife habitat, critical aquifer recharge areas and geologically hazardous areas – high water erosion potential) on private lands. The Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) takes the place of the Growth Management Act in agricultural areas with stewardship strategies for maintaining or improving critical areas.
We are currently in the application phase of VSP and have identified stewardship strategies that will help protect and/or restore critical areas. The Work Group will go over funding available this upcoming Fall of 2025 and projects will need to be completed by June 1 of 2026.
Interested landowners need to contact the Pomeroy CD or visit the VSP website to get more information and sign a cost-share application. We encourage you to share your sterwardship plan with us which you can do on the home screen of this website or go to
https://garfieldcountyvsp.mapseed.org/
Applications are due no later than 5:00 pm on Nov 14, 2025. Cost-share applications will be reviewed by the Garfield County VSP Work Group and successful applicants will be funded, if an applicant is not funded there are additional funding sources that can be applied for in the future.
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING:
There is additional supplemental funding that is available for cost share that must meet NRCS specs with the project meeting a 10 year life span. Projects must be completed by June 1, 2026. Practices may include, Land Smoothing, Heavy Use Areas, Irrigation Pipeline, Irrigation Water Wells, & Watering Facilities. Please contact the district for more information.
Garfield County VSP November Work Group Mtg.
Tuesday, Nov 18th, 2025- 8:30-9:30 AM.
Agenda
- Welcome and Introductions
2. Approve August 26th Meeting Minutes.
3. Discuss and approve the $40,000 capitol cost-share for spring development.
4. VSP capitol cost-share for irrigation project.
5. Discuss and approve the 5-year report.
6. Adjourn.
Garfield Voluntary Stewardship Program
Work Group
Meeting Notes
Garfield Voluntary Stewardship Program
Work Group
Meeting Notes
Date: October 8th, 2024 Location: Pomeroy Conservation District Time: 8:00 – 9:00 am
Attendance: Brad Johnson (VSP Coordinator), Lance Frederick (Pomeroy CD) Bryan McKeirnan (Farmer), Ernie Kimble (Garfield Wheat Growers), and Del Groat (Citizen)
Brad called the meeting to order at 8:08 am and welcomed the Work Group.
Bryan McKeirnan moved and Ernie Kimble seconded to approve the June 18th, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Discussion occurred regarding the VSP capital funding. Lance presented a cross-fencing project in the Alpowa watershed. This project has a 20-year practice life and is identified in the Garfield VSP Work Plan. The fence will divide the pasture and water for rotational grazing. 2,700 feet of fence for a cost of $20,000 with $15,000 eligible for cost-share or 75% of bills submitted. Bryan McKeirnan moved and Del Groat seconded to approve the cross-fencing cost-share. Motion carried.
Lance talked about future cost-share opportunities with both the operational VSP funding and the supplemental VSP funding. 140 letters have been mailed out and information on the available VSP cost-share will be in the Eastern Washingtonian. Applications are due to the Pomeroy CD by December 3, 2024. Discussion occurred on eligible practices for both buckets of VSP funding in Garfield County, supplemental VSP funding requires NRCS practices with at least a 10-year practice life. Work Group members discussed cost ranges for weed spraying since helicopter spraying requires a minimum of 50 acres.
The next meeting will be scheduled for December 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 a.m.