Commodity Buffer Program

What is a Commodity Buffer? Unlike any other buffer program in the nation, the commodity buffer is an opportunity to showcase a practice that works on all fronts! It compensates a producer for the true value of the ground, can help provide regulatory certainty for the agricultural community and protects water quality.

Eligibility: Agricultural producers, ranch lands, and Tribes (must control or own eligible land)

• Currently only available in Washington State
• Sit down with an SCD conservation planner to explore this opportunity on your land.
• Existing buffers do not affect eligibility. 

Requirements: Producer must install and maintain required buffer size according to waterway type, tillage practices and associated STIR rating

• Can utilize EQIP program or SCD riparian program to install buffer.
• Practice can be a filter strip (grass only) or a native riparian forest (grasses, trees and shrubs).
• Producer must maintain practice for a minimum of three years.

Compensation: Compensation rates to install buffers at or above adjacent crop rotation values (based on RMA projected prices).

• Using a customized buffer pricing model, compensation for buffers will change annually, to participate in higher market values.
• Funding incentives available based on size of buffer, tilling practices, and type of buffer (including existing).

Benefits: The commodity buffer can help maintain the financial viability of your most productive land.

• Can assist producer toward Farmed Smart Certification eligibility.
• Can help provide regulatory certainty.
• Reduces suspended solids and associated contaminants (ie. nutrients, pesticides and bio-solids) in runoff.
• Less ground to work and operate.
• Can be grazed or hayed (with appropriate planning requirements).
• Compensates early adopters of buffer installation.