An important component of the 2008 Farm Bill approved by Congress was the creation of a number of annually authorized disaster assistance programs. These programs include the Supplemental Revenue Assurance Program (SURE), the Livestock Feed Assistance Program (LFP), the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), and the Emergency Livestock, Honey Bee and Farm Raised Fish Program [...]
Tri-Cities, Wash. – The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG) announced to the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau that their Annual Meeting will be held in the Tri-Cities through February 2015. The WAWGG Annual Meeting, Convention and Trade Show is the premier educational and networking opportunity for the Northwest grape and wine industry and the largest event [...]
At the Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area (GWMA) Administrative Board meeting in April, staff relayed news the Legislature recently passed ESHB 1216, the fiscal year 2009-11 state capital budget, with the $2.5 million GWMA requested to create a working hydrologic ground water model and assess the feasibility of recharging the depleting regional aquifers. Gov. [...]
By Darla Hussey Staff writer Animals rustling in their barns. A cacophony of light and music emanating from the carnival rides. The bustle of the crowds filing through the exhibit halls. All part of the county fair experience, true, but if you ask the majority of people what they most look forward to with the [...]
By Danielle Evans It’s that time of year again. Funnel cakes, giros, space burgers, cows, rodeos, demo cars, kiddy rides and the smells of fair. There is an area at the fair that many of my readers know about. Let us imagine together. You walk in and the first thing you notice is the colors. [...]
By Laurel McCall Note: This is a paper written for a history class at Washington State University. Lauren McCall has graciously allowed the Columbia Basin Farmer to reprint it for our readers. The paper is being printed in five parts and began with the March-April edition. Part 2 discusses the push to get the project [...]
WASHINGTON, August 25, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that as part of USDA’s continuing efforts to listen to and respond to the needs of producers in the dairy industry he is moving forward on establishing the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations. “The Obama Administration is committed to working with [...]
Overland Park, Kansas – Merle Booker, owner of Booker Auction Company in Eltopia, WA was elected to the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) Board of Directors for a three year term. Elections were conducted during the 60th International Auctioneers Conference at the Overland Park Convention Center, July 14-18, 2009. Merle’s daughter, Camille Booker, earned 1st runner-up [...]
Wenatchee, WA… As students prepared to depart for college, Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) scholarship recipients were hosted at celebratory luncheons honoring their accomplishments and encouraging their collegiate success. The WAEF Scholarship Celebration Luncheons were presented by Northwest Farm Credit Services on July 27th at the Wenatchee Golf & Country Club and August 3rd at [...]
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program have been implemented in accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill, which will allow producers of eligible commodities to obtain low-interest financing to build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities. The USDA Farm Service [...]
