Expanding Stewardship
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Stewardship Programs
Access to Markets Programs
Farming & the Environment is improving profitability for environmental stewardship farms through its Access-to-Market programs, public education, and innovative approaches to creating a new and sustainable local food system.
In 2004, we created the Vim Wright Stewardship Award to publicly recognize and reward exemplary stewards among Washington’s farmers. The program provides a significant cash award presented at an annual dinner recognizing the Stewardship Farmer of the year.
Become a Stewardship FarmerAll Washington Farms that qualify as a Farming & the Environment Stewardship Farms are eligible to participate in our Access-to-Market programs and apply to be recognized as this year's Vim Wright Stewardship Award receipent.
The Need
On a daily basis across Washington state, a new breed of farmers and ranchers is thoughtfully managing what’s been entrusted to their care—the air, water and soil of the natural environment.
More than 31 percent of our state’s land is dedicated to agriculture, more than 13.7 million acres. Improving stewardship of natural resources on these lands is a significant opportunity to improve the state's overall environmental health.
Stewardship is caring for the land in a way that respects its long-term environmental and economic vitality. As small and mid-sized farms struggle to survive, Farming and the Environment is developing an economic model that unites stewardship farmers and increases their access to direct markets. By improving the financial sustainability of farms who are doing good by our land, we're protecting our landscape, food systems, and the tradition of the family farm.
F&E Stewardship Goals
- Improve the environmental stewardship of agricultural lands in Washington
- Increase the profitability of family-owned and operated farms that practice good stewardship
- Strengthening the relationship between farmers and communities