Thurston County is currently reviewing which lands are protected for agriculture of long-term commercial significance through its Long-Term Agriculture (LTA) zoning and designation.

• View the online story map presentation for an overview of what this means.
• Read the Long-Term Agriculture fact sheet.
• Review the proposed maps and comprehensive plan changes - the proposed designation changes result in no newly zoned agricultural lands.
• Policy changes would allow for adjacent property owners to voluntarily enroll into agricultural zoning. Interested landowners must submit a Master Application to Maya Teeple by Nov. 25, 2024 to be considered this year.

Timeline

• Oct. 2, 2024 - BoCC Review 
• Nov. 25, 2024 - Public Hearing, More Info on BoCC Meeting Page
• Fall 2024 - Final Action Expected

Find Out What Was Said at Past Meetings

Thurston County hosted seven stakeholder group meetings from October 2022 to February 2023. Review past agriculture stakeholder meetings.

Thurston County government partners with farmers and ranchers to use their cows as a tool to improve county prairies. Contact the county's Agriculture Manager kevin.jensen@co.thurston.wa.us to find out how conservation grazing or an easement could work for you.  

Conservation grazing is proving to be very helpful in the conservation of the county's native prairies. As cows graze on an open prairie, they remove a layer of grass allowing the prairie flower seeds an opportunity to bloom again, while also pressuring invasive weeds out. Learn more from Washington State University Extension: 

Conservation Easements

Conservation Grazing  &  Guide to Conservation Grazing (PDF)

Conservation Grazing school

Noxious & Invasive Weed information

The conservation planning program is for landowners (not already enrolled in VSP) with new farms or farm facilities located in critical areas. It allows them to work with technical consultants of their choosing or planners from organizations like the Thurston Conservation District or Natural Resources Conservation Service to prepare a conservation plan specific to their farm site. The conservation plan serves as an alternative tool in place of standard critical area rules and protections.

We received a grant to improve county conservation programs. Help us find out what conservation goals are the most important to you by participating in a four question survey. Click the button below to go to the survey. You can also leave us your contact information and we'll add you to our update list. 

Take the 4 question survey

Learn More

Thurston County maintains a collection of incentive programs that help farmers continue to productively cultivate their land. 

Reach out to our Community Agriculture Program Manager, Kevin Jensen at kevin.jensen@co.thurston.wa.us if you have questions about how these programs work for you.

• Regional Meat Production and Processing Study 2023
• 2021 Community Agriculture Survey Results
• Critical Area Farm Conservation Planning Program Handout
• Voluntary Stewardship Program Work Plan
• Farm and Forests Working Lands Strategic Plan & adopting ordinance

The Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) provides incentives to farmers who implement critical areas protections and natural resource enhancement on their property. The VSP is the alternative, non-regulatory approach to protecting wildlife habitat, wetlands, and critical aquifers on existing farms while maintaining agricultural productivity. Landowners are encouraged to work with our technical service provider, Thurston Conservation District, to develop stewardship plans specific to their land and farming activities.

The VSP is only successful in partnership with farmers! Share the good work you’re doing to voluntarily protect and enhance natural resources on your farm site by enrolling in the program.