By Bob Kirkpatrick Editor Dan Baginski, owner of Dan-Maur Farms, Othello, has been elected director of the Western Region of the National Brown Swiss Breeders Association. It’s the second time in the last 10 years he’s been appointed to the position. “I served as director from 2000 to 2007,” he said. “I represent Washington, California, [...]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is asking for nominations to the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. “The committee will help ensure USDA provides the proper outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers so they have the opportunity to fully participate in all USDA programs,” he said. The committee, which was established by the 2008 [...]
By Briana Alzola Staff writer Employees of the Othello branch of the Monsanto Company, an agricultural company with locations around the world, have partnered with the national organization Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) to teach local children on the dangers associated with farm life. “Our goal is to educate kids ages 5 to 20 [...]
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) issued fines totaling $5,200 and imposed license suspensions during the first quarter of 2010 for violations of state pesticide laws and rules. Fines ranged from $450 to $1,800 for incidents that involved damaging several vineyards as a result of roadside spraying operations, exposing people to pesticide drift and [...]
On Tuesday, April 13, Hirai Farms and Annie’s Fun, of Quincy, and Farmer Bean Company, of Quincy, teamed up with Sodexo and Pepsico-Frito-Lay to hold a special food donation and volunteer event at Food Lifeline’s Repack Center in Shoreline. For the event, Hirai Farms and Annie’s Fun donated 80,000 pounds of potatoes and Farmer Bean [...]
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is sponsoring pesticide disposal events in Yakima and Othello in early May. The Yakima event is May 3 and 4, while the waste pesticide collection near Othello will be May 6. To participate, contact WSDA by March 24. This will allow WSDA time to respond to any requested [...]
A major farm operation in central Washington is being fined $9,000 for allowing a large amount of turbid water and sediment to flow into Lower Crab Creek in Grant County. Mike Brown and B&G Farms Inc. failed to follow their farm plan, which had been developed by the Grant County Conservation District with Natural [...]
By LuAnn Morgan Kris Butcher has his own opinion of where the hay market will end up this year. One thing he’s sure of is the market won’t be like last year. “We were all surprised last year,” Butcher said. “This year, some are saying it will be way down and other say it will [...]
By LuAnn Morgan, contributing writer Lisa and Leonard Lusk like to blame their daughter for the two dozen appaloosas wandering their farm. “We had to find something she could feel good about,” Leonard said. The way the story goes is Leonard was the athletic principal at Wasilla High School in Alaska. “The kids thought everything [...]
