What WASHTENAW, COUNTY OF does

Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) is a governmental unit established in 1948 under Washtenaw County, Michigan, governed by a five-member elected Board of Directors and operated by a small staff of approximately 5-10 people. The district delivers conservation services to two primary segments: farmers and agricultural producers (conservation planning, NRCS Farm Bill program assistance including EQIP and CSP, MAEAP verification, a Farmer Cost-Share program covering up to 80% of project costs, soil and well water testing, and farmland preservation support) and county residents (seasonal tree and native plant sales, rain barrel and composter sales, a multi-hub Tool & Equipment Lending Library, School & Community Habitat Grants, invasive species management, and workshops). All services are delivered within a single-county jurisdiction in southeast Michigan, with no geographic expansion beyond the county.

WCCD's revenue model is primarily a millage-supported governmental funding stream, supplemented by NRCS pass-through funding, MDARD grants, transactional sales (plant sales, rain barrels, tool rentals such as $75/day for the Tree Seedling Transplanter and $10/acre with a $150 minimum for the No-Till Seed Drill), and tax-deductible donations. Distribution is conducted through direct in-person services at the 705 N. Zeeb Rd. headquarters in Ann Arbor, an e-commerce store at store.washtenawcd.org, and the Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective partnership spanning hubs in Ann Arbor (WCCD office, Sunflower Farm Market) and Ypsilanti (Growing Hope Urban Farm). The underlying technology is operational rather than proprietary — USDA NRCS Client Gateway for program applications, an online reservation system for tools, and standard e-commerce/email/web/social media infrastructure. Partnerships with NRCS/USDA, MDARD, MSU Extension, MACD, Michigan Farm Bureau, local land trusts, and community organizations form the operational backbone for outreach and program delivery. In 2023, WCCD reported 2,500 acres environmentally verified through MAEAP, and since 1951 has distributed 7.5+ million trees and shrubs.

Name

WASHTENAW, COUNTY OF

Legal name

Washtenaw County Conservation District

Website

https://washtenawcd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Washtenaw County Conservation District is a 1948-founded governmental unit in southeast Michigan that provides conservation planning, federal/state program assistance, cost-share funding, plant sales, and tool lending to farmers and residents of Washtenaw County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding & Millage: WCCD is funded through Washtenaw County millage which residents have continuously supported. Additional funding comes from NRCS Farm Bill programs and MDARD grants.
2. Plant & Resource Sales: Annual tree, shrub, and native plant sales in spring and fall. Also sells rain barrels, composters, and related supplies through online store and paper orders.
3. Tool & Equipment Rentals: Lends conservation tools and equipment including No-Till Seed Drill ($150 min rental), Tree Seedling Transplanter ($75/day), and various hand tools (some free, some with fees).
4. Donations & Sponsorships: Accepts individual donations, monthly giving, tribute gifts, in-kind donations, and event sponsorships. Donations are tax-deductible as governmental unit under IRC Section 170(c)(1).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) is a special-purpose unit of local government that delivers soil and water conservation services to Washtenaw County, Michigan. Its core offerings include technical conservation planning, financial cost-share assistance for agricultural and residential conservation practices, MAEAP farm verification, support for USDA NRCS Farm Bill programs, native plant and rain barrel sales, a tool and equipment lending library, no-till drill rentals, well water and soil testing, farmland preservation, and habitat grants for schools and community groups.

Product overview

The Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) offers a comprehensive suite of conservation programs and services for farmers and residents. Core offerings include seasonal Plant & Resource Sales (trees, shrubs, native plants), Rain Barrel Sales, and the Tool & Equipment Lending Library operated through the Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective. For farmers, WCCD provides NRCS Farm Bill Programs Assistance, the Farmer Cost-Share Program, MAEAP verification, Conservation Planning, and Farmland Preservation support. The district also coordinates the School & Community Habitat Grant, Native Plant Expo & Marketplace, and educational workshops including Living Soil Workshop and Field Days. Services are funded through county millage and various state/federal programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Native Plant & Resource Sales Annual and seasonal sale of native Michigan plants (e.g., wildflowers, shrubs, trees) and related conservation resources for Washtenaw County residents, homeowners, and landscapers seeking to install native plantings.
• Rain Barrel Sales Sale of rain barrels to Washtenaw County residents for residential rainwater harvesting and stormwater management.
• Farmer Cost-Share Program District-administered financial cost-share assistance that pays the majority of project costs (typically 80% or more) for approved conservation practices implemented by Washtenaw County farmers, such as cover crops, filter strips, and waterway protection.
• NRCS Farm Bill Program Assistance Local delivery and administrative support for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Farm Bill conservation programs, helping Washtenaw County farmers sign up, plan, and implement federally funded conservation practices.
• Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) State-recognized farm verification program in which WCCD MAEAP technicians evaluate participating farms and grant MAEAP verification for environmental stewardship across cropping, livestock, and forestry systems.
• Tool & Equipment Lending Library (Tool Bank Collective) Lending library of conservation and landscaping tools and equipment available to Washtenaw County residents, farmers, and partner organizations for short-term use on conservation and habitat projects.
• No-Till Drill Rental Rental of a no-till drill for Washtenaw County farmers to seed cover crops and pastures without tillage, supporting soil conservation and residue management.
• School & Community Habitat Grant Grant funding for Washtenaw County schools, scout troops, and community organizations to install pollinator habitat, native plantings, or conservation learning spaces on their grounds.
• Native Plant Expo & Marketplace Annual community event offering native plant sales, educational programming, and a marketplace for vendors serving Washtenaw County residents and conservation-minded gardeners.
• Conservation Planning Services Technical assistance and written conservation plans developed for Washtenaw County farmers, landowners, and residents addressing soil, water, and habitat concerns on their property.
• Well Water Testing Testing service for Washtenaw County residents to screen domestic well water for common contaminants and water quality parameters.
• Agricultural Soil Testing Soil testing service that analyzes nutrient levels, pH, and other characteristics for Washtenaw County farmers to inform fertility and conservation management decisions.
• Farmland Preservation Program Program supporting the permanent protection of farmland in Washtenaw County through conservation easement coordination, landowner outreach, and partnership with state and local preservation programs.
• Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) WCCD participation in the national Transition to Organic Partnership Program, providing mentorship and support to farmers transitioning to organic production practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500 acres environmentally verified through MAEAP in 2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MDARD awarded a Regenerative Farmer Network Grant to the Washtenaw Agroecology Network, with WCCD serving as collaborator. WCCD assists with expanded soil testing for participating row crop farmers growing corn, soybeans, and wheat.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS/USDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCD assists producers with accessing technical assistance and funding applications through NRCS Farm Bill programs including EQIP and CSP. WCCD staff help landowners develop conservation plans and navigate the USDA Client Gateway.
• Growing Hope Urban FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCD partners with Growing Hope Urban Farm to operate the Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective, offering tool lending services from the Ypsilanti location (922 West Michigan Ave).
• Sunflower Farm MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partner (as of May 2025) joining the Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective, offering tool lending from their Ann Arbor location (4175 Whitmore Lake Rd).
• Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Natural Areas Preservation Program (NAPP). WCPARC owns and maintains nature preserves purchased with NAPP funds. WCCD works with landowners who want to nominate properties for preservation.
• Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCD participates in MACD Region 10. The organization connects conservation districts across Michigan and provides support including board leadership through WCCD's Board Chair.
• LongSnoutsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation dog training organization partnering with WCCD for Spotted Lanternfly detection workshops and invasive species management.
• JLW CISMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. Partnership for invasive species education, herbicide injector tool sharing, and management outreach.
• MSU ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCD works with MSU Extension for soil testing services, educational workshops, and connects clients to MSU resources including soil test kits and Pay for Performance programs.
• Michigan Forest AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMFA's Forest and Water Fund helps forestland owners enhance soil, safeguard streams, and maintain tree health. WCCD shares information about this resource with Washtenaw County residents.
• Michigan Farm BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing informational tables at WCCD events including the annual Field Day focused on regenerative row crop farming.
• Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCPARC has partnered with SMLC to add acreage to nature preserves. Example: 64 acres added to LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve with NAPP funds purchasing a conservation easement.
• Legacy Land ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal land trust that WCCD references for landowners seeking preservation options. Raisin Valley Land Trust is transferring easements and assets to Legacy Land Conservancy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jackson County Conservation District: Jackson County Conservation District delivers MAEAP verification, NRCS liaison, and conservation planning services to Jackson County farmers. Direct operational peer; WCCD co-partners with this district in the Jackson-Lenawee-Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (JLW CISMA).
• Huron River Watershed Council: Huron River Watershed Council is a southeast Michigan watershed organization focused on water quality protection, habitat restoration, and stewardship across the Huron watershed. WCCD's well water testing, cover crop, and watershed plan services overlap directly with HRWC's water-quality mission in the same geography.
• Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC): SMLC is a regional land trust protecting natural areas and farmland in southeast Michigan, partnering with WCCD's NAPP program to add acreage to nature preserves. Direct regional peer in land conservation with overlapping programs, geography, and easement activity.
• Legacy Land Conservancy: Legacy Land Conservancy is a regional land trust serving southeast Michigan, supporting farmland preservation and conservation easements. WCCD directly refers landowners to Legacy Land Conservancy for preservation options, making it a functional peer in farmland preservation services.
• Lenawee County Conservation District: Lenawee County Conservation District is one of Michigan's conservation districts offering MAEAP, NRCS Farm Bill assistance, and farmer cost-share programs to Lenawee County producers. Direct structural peer with overlapping programs, funding sources, and co-membership with WCCD in the JLW CISMA invasive species partnership.
• Wayne County Conservation District: Wayne County Conservation District provides conservation programs and agricultural services across Wayne County, including MAEAP, NRCS support, and youth education. Comparable in scale, scope, and funding model to WCCD as another Michigan county-level conservation district.
• Livingston County Conservation District: Livingston County Conservation District administers MAEAP, NRCS Farm Bill programs, and conservation planning for Livingston County, Michigan. Direct geographic and programmatic peer with similar funding structure (county millage, NRCS liaison, MAEAP verification).

Broad incumbents

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): NRCS is the federal USDA agency administering Farm Bill conservation programs (EQIP, CSP) that WCCD helps farmers access. As the upstream federal provider of much of WCCD's program funding, NRCS is a structural broad incumbent and partner WCCD depends on for technical assistance delivery.
• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit operating in Michigan through habitat protection and conservation programs. WCCD's Conservation Technician Paul Buzzard previously worked with The Nature Conservancy in Michigan wildlife and habitat conservation, indicating direct programmatic alignment.

Regional players

• Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD): MACD is the state-level umbrella organization for Michigan's conservation districts, providing board leadership training, advocacy, and program coordination. WCCD's Board Chair serves as MACD Region 10 Chair, making MACD a directly engaged peer organization at the state level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjLSPMHr-TDTDfofgXfgikA
• Facebookfacebook.com/washtenawcd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/washtenaw-county-conservation-district
• Instagraminstagram.com/washtenawcd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about WASHTENAW, COUNTY OF