SB5484 – Creating a network of sustainable farms and fields advisors & making minor revisions to the grants program.
Prime Sponsor – Senator Shewmake (D; 42nd District; Bellingham)
Current status – Had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks February 6th.
Next step would be – Action by the committee.
Legislative tracking page for the bill.

Summary –
The bill would have the State Conservation Commission, which oversees the conservation districts, develop a network of sustainable farms and fields advisors. Groups of conservation districts would hire, host, and share their services. They would provide consultations and develop sustainable farms and fields plans for interested farmers and food processors, helping them reduce their carbon footprint by increasing energy efficiency, utilizing more green energy, sequestering carbon, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The advisors would also inform them about funding opportunities to help achieve these goals, including the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program. A new staff member at the Commission would coordinate the program, including disseminating information about energy efficiency, climate-smart practices, and funding opportunities; applying for grants; and writing progress reports.

The bill would revise the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program, shifting from allowing grants for down payments and purchases of equipment to allowing cost sharing for equipment purchases, dropping some details about equipment purchased with grants; and expanding and broadening the current language about the services to farmers the grants might fund.