On a warm September day, SCC staff, Commissioners, and partners visited Stevens County to see how local partnerships and innovative management are advancing voluntary conservation on the ground. Hosted by the Stevens County Conservation District (SCCD), the tour featured two sites: Vetter Farm and Hagen Cattle & Hay Ranch.

The afternoon tour began at Vetter Farm, a 158-acre property originally homesteaded in the 1890s and donated to Washington State University (WSU) in 2020. Today, SCCD and WSU Extension jointly manage the site to reflect a typical Stevens County farm while also serving as a space for research, education, and connection. The farm’s mission is to provide local producers with a place to network, share ideas, and test new conservation practices. Demonstration projects include soil health trials, agroforestry plots, and a protein reservoir for livestock, each designed to strengthen resilience and showcase practical conservation solutions for working farms.

The tour continued at Hagen Cattle & Hay Ranch, where tour attendees walked pastures and facilities to learn how grazing and manure management practices help sustain a productive cattle and hay operation while improving soil and water health. The ranch, known for its registered Black Angus and polled Hereford cattle, reflects the balance of productivity and stewardship that defines agriculture in Stevens County. SCCD staff presented on how the Voluntary Stewardship Program and Floodplains by Design grant program have been integral in providing opportunities for voluntary conservation and restoration efforts in the valley.

The day underscored the value of collaboration among producers, educators, and conservation staff. Both sites demonstrated how partnerships between local districts, universities, and the Commission continue to strengthen the foundation of voluntary, incentive-based conservation in Washington.

A big thank-you to the SCCD team for hosting the tour and sharing their work and insights with the tour attendees.