Washington

Spring wheat production is down 4.5% from last year nationwide, but Northwest farmers are keeping pace. Washington has 53% of its crop rated good to excellent, and Idaho is slightly ahead at 62%.

A Florence-based wine writer and judge named Dennis Fraley is Washington state bound after being selected for a fellowship built around getting writers into the vineyards and in front of the winemakers themselves.

The Spokane Farmers Market is more than a weekend errand. It's where the community shows up, season after season.

The South Columbia Basin Irrigation District is winding down for 2026. Service cuts to five days a week in late September, and ditchriders begin closing turnouts and draining canals starting October 21st.

Washington farmers, there's $4.3 million sitting on the table right now to help cover the cost of new farm equipment. First come, first served.

Four new directors are joining the Washington Apple Education Foundation board, all with ties to Yakima and Wenatchee and careers built around Washington's tree fruit industry.

Washington State's agriculture department is redoing its website and recruiting real users to weigh in. Virtual interview slots are open August 12 through 18, and you don't need any special background to participate.

Reservoirs in the Yakima Basin are 57% full and dropping. Junior water rights holders are getting 58% of their water allocation this month, a slight bump from July.

Three Zoom meetings this month give Washington hunters a chance to hear about roughly 60 proposed rule changes covering deer, elk, moose, waterfowl, turkey, and more, ahead of the 2027 to 2029 seasons.

Freeze and frost damage across Okanogan County triggered a federal disaster designation, opening the door to FSA emergency loans for local farmers. Neighboring counties including Chelan and Whatcom are also included. Apply by March 31st.