According to the latest Washington State Organic Crop Production report, 700 farms throughout Washington are certified organic, up 10 percent from the previous year, with 53 farms currently in transition from conventional to organic. These farms are producing food proven to be higher in nutrients and antioxidants and containing fewer toxins than their non-organic counterparts. [...]
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications in Washington state to increase the production and use of renewable energy sources. Funding is available from four USDA Rural Development renewable energy programs authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants and loan guarantees in the [...]
Fueled by a $1.2 million USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative grant, Washington State University has mobilized a large interdisciplinary team of scientists and Extension educators to try to beat back the rapid encroachment of spotted wing drosophila. First introduced into California in 2008, SWD is a red-eyed “vinegar fly” that attacks ripening fruit, as well [...]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is looking for public comment on several proposed rules designed to increase the production of advanced bio-fuels and the development of bio-refineries. The programs are authorized under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (The Farm Bill). “We view these proposed rules as part of the strategy to help meet [...]
Many U.S. farmers who grow genetically engineered (GE) crops are realizing substantial economic and environmental benefits, such as lower production costs, fewer pest problems, reduced use of pesticides and better yields compared with conventional crops, according to a new report from the National Research Council. However, GE crops resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, a main [...]
The right combination of agricultural practices and definitive government policies could go a long way toward increasing carbon sequestration on the farm, according to Washington State University researchers. Chad Kruger, interim director for WSU’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources who coordinated the Climate Friendly Farming Project, said some basic changes in traditional agricultural [...]
USDA announced it will accept applications for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised fish Program (ELAP) for losses that took place in calendar years 2008 and 2009. ELAP sign-up ended on Dec. 10, 2009, for 2008 losses and on Feb. 1, 2010, for 2009 losses. However, because of changes to program eligibility provisions, [...]
Washington Friends of Farms and Forests helped coordinate an educational program about biotechnology in agriculture with the League of Women Voters. About 30 people attended the March 25 event titled “Seeds of Change,” held in Olympia. Two speakers compared their perspectives of the advantages and disadvantages of heritage seeds, genetically modified seeds and reused seeds. [...]
Major issues affecting safety and health of production agriculture workers will be the focus of the first-ever “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” conference to be held January 27-28, 2010, at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott South. The conference will address key practices associated with multiple agriculture production commodities, geographic diversity, and workforce [...]
