Clark County Conservation District Seeks Stable Funding to Support Local Farms
A local conservation district in Clark County is pushing for a 10-year parcel fee to ensure continued support for farmers and agricultural preservation efforts.
April Jones Thatcher, owner of April Joy Farm in Ridgefield, Washington, has relied on the Clark Conservation District for critical agricultural support, including the installation of a static aerated compost structure that helps manage manure and organic waste (1). This infrastructure, which cost tens of thousands of dollars, was made possible through the conservation district’s assistance. Thatcher and her husband manage a diverse farm producing fruits, vegetables, and eggs, and they also operate a charitable food distribution program called Farm to Heart, which provides locally grown food to families facing food insecurity (1). [1]
The Clark Conservation District, which offers free natural resource expertise and financial assistance to farmers, is at risk of losing federal and state grants that have historically supported its operations (1). To maintain its services, the district is requesting county approval for a 10-year parcel fee, which would be collected alongside property taxes. This fee, which would cost most property owners less than $25 annually, is intended to generate over $3.5 million for the district in the next fiscal year (1). [1]
Clark County’s elected officials have previously rejected similar funding proposals, most recently in 2018 (1). Concerns about the financial burden on property owners and the sustainability of such a funding model have been raised, including by Councilor Glen Yung, who questioned whether the county could maintain consistent support for the district in the future (1). However, conservation district Executive Director Zorah Oppenheimer emphasized the importance of stable funding in protecting Clark County’s agricultural community from development pressures and ensuring the continued viability of conservation programs (1). [1]
April Jones Thatcher, owner of April Joy Farm in Ridgefield, Washington, has relied on the Clark Conservation District for critical agricultural support, including the installation of a static aerated compost structure that helps manage manure and organic waste (1). The district has played a vital role in maintaining the farm’s sustainability and supporting its charitable initiatives, such as the Farm to Heart program, which provides locally-grown food to families facing food insecurity (1). [1]
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The Clark Conservation District, which offers free natural resource expertise and financial assistance to farmers, is at risk of losing federal and state grants that have historically supported its operations (1). The agency has faced repeated rejections of funding proposals by Clark County’s elected officials, with the most recent rejection occurring in 2018 (1). This lack of stable funding has placed the district in a precarious position as it struggles to maintain its services for local farmers (1). [1]
Clark Conservation District Executive Director Zorah Oppenheimer has expressed concerns about the future of agriculture in Clark County, noting that the region is experiencing increased development pressure and the fragmentation of farmland (1). The district is currently seeking approval for a 10-year parcel fee that would be collected with property taxes, but the county council has previously rejected similar funding proposals (1). [1]
April Jones Thatcher, owner of April Joy Farm in Ridgefield, Washington, has relied on the Clark Conservation District for critical agricultural support, including the installation of a static aerated compost structure that helps manage manure and organic waste (1). This structure was made possible through the district’s financial assistance, which has been essential for maintaining sustainable farming practices on her 24-acre property (1). Thatcher and her husband manage a diverse range of crops and operate a charitable program called Farm to Heart, which provides locally-grown food to families facing food insecurity (1). [1]
The Clark Conservation District, which offers free natural resource expertise and financial assistance to farmers, is at risk of losing federal and state grants that have historically supported its operations (1). Clark County’s elected officials have previously rejected similar funding proposals, most recently in 2018 (1). The district is currently seeking approval for a 10-year parcel fee that would be collected with property taxes to ensure stable funding, but the county council has been reluctant to approve such measures in the past (1). [1]
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Clark Conservation District Executive Director Zorah Oppenheimer has expressed concerns about the future of agriculture in Clark County, noting that the region is experiencing increased development pressure (1). Oppenheimer emphasized that the loss of federal grants, which make up a significant portion of the district’s budget, has heightened the urgency of securing stable funding (1). Without continued support, the district may be unable to provide the critical services that help farmers like Thatcher maintain their operations and protect farmland from development (1). [1]
April Jones Thatcher, owner of April Joy Farm in Ridgefield, Washington, has relied on the Clark Conservation District for critical agricultural support, including the installation of a static aerated compost structure that helps manage manure and organic waste (1). The Clark Conservation District, which offers free natural resource expertise and financial assistance to farmers, is at risk of losing federal and state grants that have historically supported its operations (1). [1]
Clark County’s elected officials have previously rejected similar funding proposals, most recently in 2018 (1). Clark Conservation District Executive Director Zorah Oppenheimer has expressed concerns about the future of agriculture in Clark County, noting that the region is experiencing increased pressure from development as the population grows (1). [1]
Oppenheimer highlighted that the Clark Conservation District has been instrumental in supporting small-scale farms by providing essential services such as water quality work and habitat restoration (1). The district’s ability to offer these services is now in jeopardy due to the loss of key funding sources, which could have a significant impact on the agricultural community in Clark County (1). [1]
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