derek sandison

We celebrate lots of "National Days" across the U.S. but one that should be important to all of us is National Farmer's Day.

Washington representative Kim Schrier kicked off a tour of the 8th district Friday with a Farm Bill listening session in western Washington.  Schrier said regardless of where she goes in the district, there are certain themes of the Farm Bill that always rise to the top.   “...

Farmers across Washington continue trying to adjust their books as Ag overtime has thrown another wrinkle in the day-to-day operations of farming.  Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington state Department of Agriculture, said in his conversations with producers across the state, the reaction has been mixed.   “...

Last week, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members and leadership traveled to Vietnam.  The delegation embarked on the organization's first trade mission to explore global emerging markets through the Department of Agriculture Emerging Markets Program.   ...

Locally grown food will take center stage at cafeterias across the Evergreen state Wednesday as Taste Washington Day returns.  According to the Washington state Department of Agriculture, the annual celebration of farm to school connections is a chance to enjoy and learn about the bounty and diversity of healthy and delicious Washington grown foods.   ...

Late last week, the Washington state Department of Agriculture was awarded more than $16 million in grants to help small farms and food businesses recover from ongoing economic impacts from the pandemic.  State lawmakers created the Local Food System Infrastructure Grants to improve the strength and resiliency Washington’s food systems.  Applicants offered...

On Thursday, USDA announced it was awarding $72.9 million in Specialty Crop Block Grant program funding for Fiscal Year 2022.  The funding, via AMS, will go to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.   ...

Glen Squires, CEO of the Washington Grain Commission announced plans to retire November 1st. “Glen has guided the WGC through some big changes to our industry, especially in the last several years pivoting to keep things running through the pandemic. He h...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture didn’t need to search far for their new state veterinarian. WSDA announced Wednesday that interim state veterinarian Dr. Amber Itle has been selected to serve as the new state veterinarian. Itl ...

Last month, the Washington state Department of Agriculture, along with the department of Labor & Industries, held a groundbreaking ceremony on the construction of a new state laboratory and training center in Tumwater. The project, funded through a $53.2 m ...