Voluntary Stewardship Program
Public Works | Natural Resources Division
Skagit's Voluntary Stewardship Program
The Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) provides an alternative way to meet the state's Growth Management Act requirements. On Agricultural Natural Resource Lands (Ag-NRL) and Rural Resource Natural Resource Lands (RRc-NRL), the VSP uses voluntary actions to protect and improve fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, such as streams and their buffers.
These areas are protected by a simple rule: agriculture may not clear existing stream vegetation but may continue farming next to streams. Other critical areas are protected and must follow the County critical areas ordinance rules.
If you do not protect fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, the state could require a regulatory approach to critical area protection where agricultural activities occur under the Growth Management Act. You can read the Skagit County VSP Work Plan (pdf) for more information on goals and benchmarks for the program.
Agricultural Producer Survey
The work you do on your property to improve soil health and protect water quality makes a big difference, even if you are not part of a formal program. Your voluntary stewardship means fewer regulations for you and other farmers.
You can take the agricultural producer survey to tell us how you protect land, soil, and water. The success of the Voluntary Stewardship Program relies on participation from the Skagit agricultural community.
Documents
VSP Work Group
The VSP Work Group guides program activities and decisions. Visit the Boards and Committees page to learn about current members and vacancies.
Next Meeting: 5/11/2026 | Agenda
Previous meeting minutes and agendas available by request.
