mike louisell

Washington growers, producers and commodity groups interested in receiving federal Specialty Crop Block Grant funds have until February 5th to submit their proposal.  The Washington State Department of Agriculture has just over $4 million in grant funding available to suppor the state’s specialty crop industry.  The WSDA’...

Earlier this month, the USDA announced funding for the 2017 round of specialty crop block funds.  The top money winner, no surprise, California, at $19.2 million, but next on that list the Evergreen State.   “Being number two in this case, is just great, we have so many commodities that benefit from  the federal government’s specialty crop program.  And with the $4.1 millio...

Don Potts, the manager of the Washington state grain inspection program in Spokane, died from cancer over the weekend.  In addition to the inspection program, Potts also managed the WSDA’s grain warehouse audit program.  He also worked on education a issues from foreign trade groups, to local outreach programs and all points in between.     “...

2016 was a busy year statewide for Washington Agriculture.  The WSDA’s Mike Louisell points out the Department higher a state veterinarian, Dr. Brian Joseph, and assistant state veterinarian, Scott Haskell in the past year.  He added the state adopted the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA.  Louisell adde...

Wednesday is Taste Washington Day.  For the past six years, the state Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Nutrition Association, partnered with farmers and schools to feature locally grown foods.  WSDA’s Mike Louisell said Taste Washington Day serves as a spring board to make children aware of the great foods grown statewide and how agriculture impacts the state’s economy.  He said

As the demand for building materials in China and Asia continues to grow, Washington is working to meet the need.  Last year, the Evergreen state shipped nearly 245 million board feet of logs to China alone.  Other popular destinations for Washington timber includes Japan and  Korea.  But before t...