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Salmon Safe Certification
The Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) provides free assistance to landowners and producers in Grant and Adams counties to become Salmon-Safe certified. The Salmon-Safe certification recognizes farms and vineyards that use water efficiently, practice integrated pest management, and protect stream habitat.
About Salmon Safe
The Salmon-Safe ecolabel was created in the late 1990s to translate consumer concerns for salmon into support for farmers who do right by their natural resources and fish. The certification benefits fish and farmers, and it helps protect surface water. Farms that meet the peer-reviewed standards have their products recognized on the market as certified Salmon-Safe. This makes their natural resource stewardship easily visible to customers, restaurants, and grocery stores eager to support such efforts. Certified products can range from eggs to apples to hard cider or wine.​​
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Locally, threatened and endangered bull trout, steelhead and Chinook salmon will benefit from the suite of environmental practices that Salmon-Safe farms are using to protect their habitat. Additionally, all residents benefit from clean surface water, which is used as a drinking water source in many areas.
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If you are an interested consumer looking for the Salmon-Safe label on your product (wine, food, cider etc.) visit https://salmonsafe.org/buy-salmon-safe/ for a list of certified producers.
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If you have a local farm, orchard, vineyard, cider operation, or related agriculture entity and are interested in the benefits of becoming Salmon-Safe certified, contact Dinah Rouleau at dinah-rouleau@columbiabasincd.org or call our office at (509) 765-9618.
The Pacific Northwest has 900+ Salmon-Safe certified farms.
Farms and vineyards that are Salmon-Safe certified use ecologically sustainable agricultural practices that protect water quality and wildlife habitat. The certification focuses on six primary areas:
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Riparian Area Management
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Water Use Management
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Erosion and Sediment Control
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Integrated Pest Management and Water Quality Protection
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Animal Management
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Biodiversity Conservation
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Qualifying candidates have a farm in the Northwest (from British Columbia to northern California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho). Farms utilize integrated pest management techniques, biodynamic, GlobalG.A.P., or organic practices, and do not apply chemicals harmful to fish and wildlife. Specialty crops, ranching, commodity crops, and dairy are also eligible. The farmland may be situated on rivers or upland sites where management may impact downstream conditions.
Learn more about Salmon-Safe certification standards for farms by downloading the brochure below!
Our staff can guide you through the Salmon-Safe Certification process.
CBCD staff help streamline the certification process by providing report development.
Left to right: Dinah Rouleau (CBCD) and Wade Haughton (CBCD)
Step 1.
Schedule a site visit with a Columbia Basin Conservation District conservation planner.
Our conservation planners will develop a Salmon-Safe summary packet about your operation with your input. CBCD conservation planners can share information about cost-share programs to improve on or install new conservation practices. For example, efficient irrigation systems, pollinator habitat, and stream restoration are common practices implemented on Salmon-Safe recognized farms.
Step 2.
Salmon-Safe independent assessors conduct the farm assessments.
Farms currently certified through Oregon Tilth, GlobalG.A.P., or another partner may achieve the Salmon-Safe certification through a single inspection visit.
Crab Creek Summit 2025 field day
Step 3.
Receive your certification award notice.
Farms, vineyards, and agricultural operations that protect water quality and wildlife habitat are recognized by the Salmon-Safe label. Farm and vineyard certifications are valid for 3 years, subject to annual verifications.
Drumheller Dam, photo by Britton Baker, CBCD
Step 4.
Explore cost-share opportunities through CBCD.
Cost-share opportunities can enhance existing efforts or fund new conservation practices to further improve water quality and habitat on your farm. Salmon-Safe certifications may require annual verification of satisfactory progress toward meeting any certification conditions. Our staff provides the technical assistance required to meet certification requirements, including information about financial assistance programs.
CBCD staff in a field at a site visit
Ready to get started?
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Contact us to get your farm Salmon-Safe certified!
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Dinah Rouleau
Conservation Director
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Office: 509-765-9618 Cell: (509) 770-9130
These videos are courtesy of the Cascadia Conservation District.
