derek sandison

Local food entrepreneurs are about to get a significant boost, thanks to $3.4 million aimed at tackling common hurdles they face.

Whether it’s high input costs, a trade war, labor shortages, drought or the government shutdown, much of the news this year as been negative.

The farming industry is facing a variety of challenges, and some of those challenges are specific to a sector or a commodity, but some are widespread.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has awarded $3,572,200 in Farm to School Purchasing grants for the 2025–2027 biennium.

Farmers, ranchers, or any part of a food business looking to strengthen the Washington food supply chain is encouraged to reach out to the state Department of Agriculture.

Wednesday, Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison was confirmed by the Senate to continue leading WSDA.  Since Sandison took the position, WSDA has expanded support for local food systems, worked on strengthening plant and animal health programs and focused on enhancing food safety measures.  The WSD...

Earlier this week, the Washington Grain Commission announced the appointments of Nicole Berg as the WGC commissioner for Wheat District 5 (representing Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, Klickitat, and Yakima Counties) and Art Schultheis as the WGC commissioner for Barley District 6 (representing Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Klickitat, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima Counties)... Read M

Trade is always on the mind of Northwest Ag leaders, since the region is so dependent on overseas buyers.  But more and more, the American farming community as a whole is talking about trade, and what’s being done to open up new markets, or expand existing ones.  Derek Sandiso...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday the “murder hornet” has been eradicated from the Evergreen State.   “We’re pleased to announce the eradication of the northern giant hornet in Washington state,” Derek Sandison, WSDA director, said. “I’m incredibly proud of our team...

The agriculture community is still holding its breath that Congress will pass a one-year Farm Bill Extension, allowing lawmakers to address the issue in 2025.  But, what happens if the extension gets tied up in D.C. bickering?   Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison said the state will feel a direct impact in a variety of ways.   “Our ...