For Landowners — Participate in VSP
Do you have a project that may protect or enhance critical areas on your agricultural land?
Benton Conservation District is here to help you learn more about the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) and take advantage of financial incentives for eligible VSP projects.
As it says in the name, VSP is completely voluntary. With your help, Benton County has the opportunity to demonstrate that we can protect critical areas using a non-regulatory and incentive-based approach. The success of the program — which is our only option to avoid the traditional regulatory approach to critical area protection under the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance — depends on willing landowner participation.
Flexible & Farm Friendly
VSP offers a flexible conservation program for landowners. Not only does it protect critical areas, but it also protects agricultural viability. This means that plans are catered to the landowner and their operation. Additionally, the program can foster a partnership between Benton CD and landowners for continued success in the future.
VSP Services
As the lead technical entity we can provide the following services to you:
-
A site map of your property showing any critical areas that are present.
-
A checklist where landowners can indicate desired practices and practices that are currently being implemented.
-
An Individual Stewardship Plan (ISP) that summarizes your current conservation practices and a plan for implementing additional practices of your choice.
-
Technical assistance and potential cost-share funding for practice implementation.
Get in Touch!
Contact Tom Sexton
(509-736-6000, thomas-sexton@bentoncd.org)
at Benton CD to learn more about VSP.
​
​
Complete the VSP Checklist
Please view and fill out the Benton VSP Checklist.
Even if you don't have critical areas, Benton CD is still interested in conservation practices you may be implementing. In addition to the practices listed, other practices that protect critical areas directly or indirectly and maintain or improve agricultural viability will be considered for credit.