The Small Acreage program provides educational workshops and other outreach to residents on how to manage issues such as mud and manure management, fencing and pasture management, and other water quality topics unique to rural properties.
Classes, workshops, tours, and other events are offered throughout the year. See below for upcoming events and resources:
- Living on the Land
- Harvest Celebration
- Small Farm Tours
- Workshops and Training
- Small Acreage Expo
- Well and Septic Workshops
- Model Property Assessments
- Agriculture Business Planning
- Small Acreage Publications and Videos
Best Management Practice Workshops
The Small Acreage program offers workshops throughout the year on issues of interest to rural land stewards. Topics include mud and manure management, pasture management, wells and septic maintenance, fencing for livestock, and more! See below for our upcoming offerings:
The next workshop is:
The Soil Health and Lime Application on Pastures Demonstration Workshop
When: Saturday, October 24th 10:00 am to Noon
Who: Anyone interested in land stewardship practices and most relevant to rural residents with pastures, livestock, or field crops
Where: A rural residence near La Center, WA 98629
Cost: Free, but please sign up in advance
Reserve your spot at: https://Lime102426.eventbrite.com
Local rural residents offer a demonstration of spreading lime on pastures with both a manure spreader and spinner application methods. They will also show how they build healthy soil in their gardens, reduce mud and erosion in their horse dry lot, paddock, and pastures, and much more. The tour is free, please sign up in advance.
Small Farm and Stewardship Tours
Come tour a farm or small acreage and learn about nut and fruit orchards, old tractors, chickens, preventing soil erosion, dry farming, hedgerows, riparian buffer strips, and much more.
Our next tour is the Riparian Forest Restoration – Small Acreage Stewardship Tour will take place on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at 1:30pm to 2:30pm local rural residents will host a tour on their land to highlight land stewardship practices, including reforestation along a creek, reducing mud and erosion on paths, protecting their septic system, installing gutters and downspouts on their structures, French drains, reduced watering of lawn, riparian areas, and protecting wildlife from harm. See their beautiful water feature and landscaping. The tour is free, please sign up in advance. This tour is free, but please sign-up in advance, as capacity is limited. Reserve your spot at: https://Tour102426.eventbrite.com
Well and Septic Workshops
How do I sign up? See below for upcoming Well and Septic Workshops. For future workshops, contact terry.koper@wsu.edu to be added to the notification list for upcoming Well and Septic Workshops.
Next Workshops: When: Tuesday November 3rd 6:00pm – 8:30pm online. And the next in-person workshop will take place on Tuesday December 15th 6:00pm – 8:30pm. Where: In-person at the 78th St. Heritage Farm, 1919 NE 78th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 Cost: $18 (plus fees) per household (one ticket may allow two people from the household to participate). Scholarships are available. Registration is open for the November 3rd online workshop. To register, visit: https://WS110326.eventbrite.com
What: Homeowners with septic systems and wells are invited to attend the Well and Septic workshop to learn valuable tips about maintaining their septic system and protecting their water supply. Clark County homeowners with owner-occupied, gravity fed septic systems can get certified to perform their own septic inspection at the workshop, saving money while learning important maintenance tips. Gravity fed septic systems must be inspected every three years with every other inspection performed by a certified O&M professional.
Septic inspection training and well safety tips will be presented by officials from Clark County Public Health, who help homeowners meet regulations protecting surface and ground water by ensuring septic systems and wells operate properly. By participating in the workshop and taking a short exam, homeowners can perform their next septic inspection and file it with Clark County Public Health rather than hiring a certified O&M professional to do it.
For more information or to be informed when upcoming workshops are available contact Contact the Small Acreage Program.
Living on the Land
Living on the Land Program is a multi-week class series where small acreage land managers learn stewardship practices to help better care for their land. Living on the Land participants learn about important topics pertaining to soil, water, plants and animals that guide sound stewardship decisions for small acreage management. Topics are presented by local and regional experts and include pasture management, controlling weeds, wildlife, soil health, well & septic maintenance, and many more. Graduates of this training come away with knowledge about how different aspects of their land interact, practices that enhance natural resources, and helpful strategies for improving their land stewardship by taking a whole farm approach.
Class Series:
The 2026 Series is now full. The next Living on the Land series will be offered in the Fall of 2027. If you are interested in participating, please complete the Living on the Land Interest and Pre-Survey. Upon completion of the survey and when registration is open for the next class series, you will be contacted and given a registration link.
Small Acreage Expo
Held annually in the spring, this one-day event features workshops, live demonstrations, a guided farm tour, and opportunities to connect with experts and fellow small acreage landowners. Participants can choose from a variety of topics, including forest conservation planning, septic system maintenance, livestock management and grazing, weed management, soil health, land conservation tools, and the responsible use of pesticides, herbicides, and soil amendments. Exhibitor displays showcase local services and resources, and attendees have opportunities to win door prizes donated by event sponsors.
Stay tuned for information about the next event.
Agricultural Entrepreneurship (Farm) Business Planning
Are you a small acreage farmer looking to improve your business? The Ag Entrepreneurship & Business Planning Class can help you develop a successful business plan for your farm business.
This multi-week course occurs every winter. Class topics include business planning, marketing, research methods, budget and record keeping, taxes, regulations and much more. Classes are taught by local farm marketing specialists, accountants, attorneys, agricultural professionals, and farmers sharing their farming and marketing experience. At the end of the course, students will emerge with a full business plan to take with them to guide their farm business decisions into the future. Offered in English and with Spanish interpretation.
Curso de Emprendimiento y Planificación del Negocio Agrícola
Este curso le guiara en los pasos necesarios para crear un plan de negocio agrícola por medio de clases semanales en línea con expertos y agricultores invitados, y conexiones en grupos regionales.
Martes el 20 de enero – al 10 de marzo 6-8pm con intensivos regionales en persona el 28 de feb y el 7 de marzo.
Formato: Virtual por Zoom en todo el estado con interpretación en español
Costo: $200 Becas disponibles para cualquier persona para quien la tarifa de la clase sea una barrera
Small Acreage Stewardship Recognition Program
The Small Acreage Program, supported by Clark County’s Clean Water Program, wishes to publicly recognize residents who are implementing clean water management practices on their acreage. If you or someone you know are doing good things on their small farms or rural property to protect our water, please let us know!
Do you manage your small acreage in ways that also protect our waters? Do you …
- Drainage – have gutters and downspouts on your buildings; and your runoff does not discharge directly into streams, creeks, or ditches?
- Vegetation features – have vegetation around steams, creeks, and wetlands; livestock fenced out or restricted from waterways?
- Limited erosion & compaction – have limited areas of bare soil?
- Inspected septic – know the location and type of septic system and when it was last inspected; limit activity on drainfield?
- Protected Wellhead – know where your well is located and wellhead is adequately protected?
- Safe chemical & fuel storage – store your chemicals and fuels properly away from wells and septic systems?
- Livestock manure – manage manure to minimize nutrient runoff?
- Manage pasture – have few weeds, limited bare soil areas, and little compaction in your pasture?
If you do some or all of these, you should consider applying to receive a Clean Water Sign. The Clean Water Sign shows your neighbors and the public that you are managing your land in ways that also protect our precious local waterways.
Completing our Assessment Guide for Small Acreages will give you an idea if you might qualify to receive this free Clean Water sign. Send your completed survey to the Small Acreage Coordinator at smallacreage@clark.wa.gov and you will be contacted for a site visit to determine if you qualify for a sign.
Harvest Celebration – Tour of Clark County Farms
The 26th Annual Harvest Celebration took place on September 19th, 2026 from 10am to 3pm. This is a free family-friendly event. Visit the Harvest Celebration webpage for farm descriptions and a map.
Held annually on the third Saturday each September, the Harvest Celebration showcases the diversity and abundance of local agriculture in Clark County. Participating farms open their gates to the public, providing an opportunity to meet local farmers, tour working farms, and learn more about agriculture in the community. The event typically attracts more than 700 area residents and features activities such as feeding barnyard animals, hay rides, self-guided farm tours, u-pick pumpkins and produce, family-friendly games, alpaca photo opportunities, and more. Many participating farms also offer farm-fresh products for sale.
Contact
Terry Koper, Program Coordinator
Annual Report & Impacts
Small Acreage Program 2021 Annual Report (3.4 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2020 Annual Report (1.7 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2019 Annual Report (1.4 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2018 Annual Report (4 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2017 Annual Report (3.2 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2016 Annual Report (4 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2015 Annual Report (4.9 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2014 Annual Report (7.9 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2013 Annual Report (6.5 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2012 Annual Report (5.5 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2011 Annual Report (3.7 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2010 Annual Report (1.8 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2009 Annual Report (467 KB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2009 Annual Report: Appendices (3.9MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2008 Annual Report (516 KB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2008 Annual Report: Appendices (2.7 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2007 Annual Report (792 KB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2007 Annual Report: Appendices (7 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2006 Annual Report (572 KB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2006 Annual Report: Appendices (6.4 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2005 Annual Report (570 KB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2005 Annual Report: Appendices (6.6 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2004 Annual Report (400 KB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2004 Annual Report: Appendix A (6.8 MB PDF)
Small Acreage Program 2003 Annual Report (1.9 MB PDF)
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Small Acreage
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- Small Acreage Publications and Videos
- Natural Resources
- Water and Natural Resources
- Watershed Stewardship
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