Announcements

December 2025 Cost Share Programs for Farmers and Ranchers

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (November 25, 2025) – The Kittitas County Conservation District is offering cost share assistance to farmers and ranchers for drought resiliency/water conservation activities, stock water improvements, and cover crops. See these fliers below for more information. Follow this link to apply for funding. Applications are accepted beginning immediately and are due by December 19, 2025. Approved work must be completed by May 31, 2026.

January 15, 2025, Application Due Date Announced

for RCPP Cost Share Program

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (November 25, 2025) – The Kittitas County Conservation District will accept applications starting December 1, 2025, until January 15, 2026 for the “Upper Yakima River Water Supply and Fish Habitat Improvements” and “Middle Columbia Steelhead Partnership” Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects. These RCPP projects include lands in Kittitas County and prioritizes farm and ranch operators on-farm and delivery irrigation practices and habitat practices to improve water use efficiency, water quality and fish habitat availability.

The projects can provide financial and technical assistance with on-farm irrigation system improvements, and riparian and instream habitat. The RCPP funding is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through land management contracts with farmers and ranchers. The contract payment rate pays for a portion of the cost of the contracted conservation practices implemented by the farmer or rancher.

The District is accepting applications immediately. Interested farmers, ranchers or landowners should contact the District at 509-925-3352 or 2211 W Dolarway Road, Ellensburg. Interested parties must meet all requirements of the USDA NRCS. Each applicant must establish themselves as a USDA customer and complete all Farm Service Agency (FSA) eligibility requirements to participate in the program. For more information about those requirements, contact the local USDA Service Center field office at 2211 W Dolarway Road, Suite 6, Ellensburg or 509-925-8585 ext. 115.

RCPP funding is limited, and applications will be subject to a ranking system. This is the second annual sign-up in Kittitas County occurring as part of the Upper Yakima River Water Supply and Fish Habitat Improvements project and a third sign up for the Middle Columbia Steelhead Partnership project. The projects were each one of approximately 80 high priority projects across the country that was approved for funding through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program solicitation for fiscal years 2021 and 2023. For more information, visit the project webpage at https://www.kccd.net/upperyakimarcpp and https://www.kccd.net/middlecolumbiarcpp.

Lynn Brown

1940-2024

Long time KCCD Board member, Lynn Brown, passed December 2, 2024. He was a highly valued member of the Board of Supervisors who brought to us his decades of experience in conservation and his drive to get things done. We were fortunate to be the District where Lynn and his wife Linda retired after his many years as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s State Conservationist for Washington. He joined the KCCD in 2002 as an appointed Board member and was a strong influence through a period of tremendous growth. We are grateful for his technical knowledge of conservation practices and programs, his wisdom, and most of all, his friendship. His presence will be greatly missed.

Business Opportunities

Personal and Professional Services Request for Proposals

Swauk Prairie Farms Agricultural Easement Appraisal Services RFP

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (March 10, 2025) – The Kittitas County Conservation District is soliciting proposals for Agricultural Conservation Easement Appraisals for the “Swauk Prairie Farms” agricultural conservation easement (parcel information included) in Kittitas County, Washington.

The KCCD and Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC) are co-clients in this bid solicitation and will require that all appraisals be valued in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and the Recreation and Conservation Office Manual 3 Acquisition Projects, Section 5 Appraisal Requirements. The funding for this solicitation is made available from the Washington State Conservation Commission through a Recreation and Conservation Office Farmland Preservation Program Grant. The Washington State Conservation Commission, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, and the Kittitas County Conservation District will be the intended users of the appraisal. See more details here.

Employment Opportunities

None at this time.

The Kittitas County Conservation District publishes newsletters with information about projects and programs.

Newsletters

Archive Announcements

Draft KCCD Annual Plan of Work for Fiscal Year 2026 For Review

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (May 16, 2025) – The Kittitas County Conservation District has drafted their annual plan of work for Fiscal Year 2026 and is requesting public comment and input. The plan (available here) is required by RCW 89.08.220 (7). The plan covers the state fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It outlines how the priorities identified in the long-range plan will be implemented for the upcoming year. This includes allocating available resources in line with the goals and priorities developed under the long-range plan. The Annual Plan of Work is submitted to the Washington State Conservation Commission for their review and comment.

Please submit comments on the Annual Plan of Work to KCCD through this form or by email Anna Lael by 4:30PM May 28, 2025.

March 2025 Cost Share Programs for Farmers and Ranchers

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (March 18, 2025) – The Kittitas County Conservation District is offering cost share assistance to farmers and ranchers for drought resiliency/water conservation activities and cover crops. See these fliers below for more information. Follow this link to apply for funding. Applications are accepted beginning immediately and will be considered on a first come, first served basis. UPDATE- Applications now closed effective 4PM 5/15/2025.

Notice of Mid-Term Vacancy

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (January 6, 2025) – The Kittitas County Conservation District (KCCD) announces an opportunity to contribute to conservation and your community by serving on the KCCD Board of Supervisors. This opening is in addition to the 2025 expiring positions on the Board of Supervisors. One of the appointed Board positions has a mid-term vacancy due to the passing of that Board member.

Individuals interested in the mid-term appointed position must apply to the Washington State Conservation Commission no later than February 20, 2025. More information and application instruction are available here.

The successful applicant for the remainder of this position would begin serving immediately after selection by the Washington State Conservation Commission in March 2025 through May 2026, expiration date for the three-year term.