The Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) is a service that Grays Harbor Conservation District offers to farmers and producers. VSP is an alternative approach for counties in Washington State to “promote plans to protect and enhance critical areas within the area where agricultural activities are conducted, while maintaining and improving the long -term viability of agriculture in the state of Washington and reducing the conversion of farmland to other uses” (RCW 36.70A.700(2)(a)). Instead of enacting further critical areas regulation for agricultural activities, VSP allows a technical assistance provider to work with agricultural operators to develop voluntary, site-specific stewardship plans. The Grays Harbor Conservation District is the technical service provider for Grays Harbor County.


The Voluntary Stewardship Program focuses on Voluntary engagement with agricultural landowners to protect critical areas:

- Frequently Flooded Areas
- Aquifer Recharge Areas
- Geologically Hazardous Areas
- Wetlands
- Fish and Wildlife Habitat