Category Overview
Farmland Preservation protects valuable farmland and habitat for recreationally important animals, like salmon, birds, deer, and elk. These projects allow families to continue farming the land they have worked on for generations, and provide Washingtonians with healthy local food and a diverse economy. WWRP is the only source of farmland preservation funding in the state budget.
Project Highlights
Blue Mountain Land Trust acquired an agricultural conservation easement to permanently protect 233 acres. The easement includes provisions for continued agricultural use on the presently cultivated land, which encompasses approximately 196 acres of the property. Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains the site receives an average of 30 inches of precipitation per year and has very productive soils. Wheat is the primary crop, and yields are in the range of 100 bushels per acre. The close proximity to Walla Walla and the scenic views makes this area attractive for development. Adjacent hilltops are being developed for large viewsite homes. Prior to the conservation easement, there was a threat to continued agricultural use of this land as demand for additional rural residential homesites increase. An existing farmstead site was retained with the ability to remodel or rebuild the one single family home already there. All remaining development rights were extinguished with the easement. The landowners had previously donated a conservation easement on their adjacent parcel, meaning this project provides additional contiguous conservation.