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Benton County—s Agriculture and Wildlife Protection Program funds 6 projects after record applications
Summary
The county's AWPP awarded funds to six main projects and two emergency grants after receiving 17 applications — a record — in 2023. The program distributed $47,475 this biennium and has about $15,000 remaining for the next cycle.
Shanna (Shay) Steingas, Environmental Project Coordinator for Public Works, presented the 2023 Agriculture & Wildlife Protection Program (AWPP) annual report, saying the AWPP supports nonlethal deterrents for farmers (fencing, livestock housing, guardian animals and other measures) and is currently funded at $47,475 for the biennium (including outreach and emergency pools).
Steingas said AWPP outreach and word-of-mouth drove record interest: 17 applications were submitted this year, the most in program history; the committee funded six projects plus two emergency grants and has approximately $15,000 remaining for the next cycle. Projects funded protected poultry, sheep, goats and geese and included electric fencing and guardian donkeys; the program estimated it helped protect more than 300 animals across funded projects.
She described outreach efforts (OSU Small Farms Conference, county fair booth, press coverage and a short video) and collaboration with the USDA on beaver mitigation work (pond-leveler at Bruce Stryker Arts Park). Steingas told commissioners she plans to pursue additional grant opportunities and a possible general-fund match in the next biennium to expand capacity.
The board voted to accept the AWPP annual report.
