The Walla Walla County Conservation District is rolling out its new Commodity Buffer Program. The Commodity Buffer Program is a cost-share program designed to protect waterways and water quality in the county, while supporting local agriculture. It offers producers land rental payments to take land out of production and plant conservation buffers. Many producers in Walla Walla County may qualify for this program, including those who grow crops next to a river, as well as those that have field drainage or road erosion issues that impact waterways downhill. This program offers 3-year contracts with competitive compensation based on the price and yield of adjacent crops, with payment minimums to protect growers against a drop in crop prices or yield. The Commodity Buffer Program is a great way to minimize field and road erosion issues, avoid regulatory action, and protect salmon habitat, all while receiving a consistent payment.
For more information on the program, contact Grant Traynor (Walla Walla County Conservation Scientist) at grant.traynor@wwccd.net / 509-956-3767.
