specialty crops

On Monday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, spoke with USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach, asking that the needs of Washington’s farmers and farm families be addressed during the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Following the call, Schrier sent a letter to USDA, asking the department to consider the unique needs of Northwest specialty crop growers. “I ap ...

As the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus, Dan Newhouse and others are calling on the USDA to help specialty crop producers. Newhouse was joined by fellow Republican Fred Upton of Michigan, as well as Democrats Jimmy Panetta of California and Henry Cuellar of Texas, writing a letter to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue calling for proportional aid for specialty crop producers affected by t

The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture Thursday announced $11 million in research funds for specialty crop farmers.  The USDA says the funding will focus on applying innovative solutions to pest management problems “that often are otherwise not available to specialty crop farmers.”   The in...

On Monday, the USDA announced $7 million of funding support for specialty crop industries.  The funding will support 11 projects in six states, including Washington to “develop solutions to challenges” affecting specialty crop producers.  The funding is mana...

Futures markets not only serve as a price discovery tool for commodities, but can also be a measurement of how tariffs will impact products on the open market.  However, for the most part, specialty crops don’t have a futures market.  So, how ...

During a recent speech, Greg Ibach, the Department of Agriculture’s Undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs spoke on principles that are being proposed in the next farm bill.  He said when it comes to marketing the USDA wants to enhance partnerships, not only in DC, but across the nation.  And one ...

Kevin Murphy, the CEO of Driscolls, spoke to the House Ag Committee about the future of the specialty crop industry noting that advanced technology not only is necessary, but inevitable.   Murphy said, one of the advances would take place at harvest.  ...

The Washington State Farmers Market Association is offering 25 scholarships for specialty crop farmers to attend their 2017 annual conference in Blaine February 3rd and 4th.   The conference will offer options for farmers to learn about season extension, hiring and retention, agritourism, food safety rules and much more.  ...