washington state department of agriculture

In an effort to strengthen the Washington farm workforce and encourage people to seek jobs and in ag labor, and stay in ag labor, the state recently rolled out a new program designed to improve managers.  Ofelio Borges with the Washington State Department of Agriculture said currently many of the people in supervisory roles were not given the leadership training needed to ensure workers are treate

On Thursday, the Washington state Department of Agriculture announced that nearly $3 million is on the table for farm to school efforts.  The hope is to get more locally grown food on the lunch trays of schools across the state.  WSDA is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023.  Applica...

Late last week, Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologists confirmed the first report of Japanese beetle larvae for the year.  This is the first report of a larvae or grub confirmed in the beetle infestation area near Grandview, WA.  A ...

According to the Washington state Department of Agriculture two more flocks recently tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Both backyard flocks were located in King County. The WSDA is responding to the outbreak and is urging flock owners to focus on biosecurity and keep domesticate birds away from wild waterfowl ...

With pollinator numbers dropping around the United States, some homeowners will leave dandelions in their yard saying they’re trying to help the honeybees with a source of food. While their intentions may be good, the Washington state Department of Agriculture said dandelions are not the best for bees. ...

The Washington state Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday plans to set about 1,000 traps this year in their quest to wipe out the Asian giant hornet. Those traps will be set in Whatcom County, where the invasive pest was first detected in 2019 ...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is preparing for another year of fighting Sprtina. This year’s treatment for Spartina starts Wednesday June 1st, and runs through November. Survey and eradication efforts of this aggressive, invasive weed, will take place in multiple areas, including Grays Harbor, Hood Canal, Willapa Bay, Puget Sound, the north and west sides of the Olympic Peninsul

With cases of avian influenza adding up across the state, the Washington state veterinarian is asking bird owners to double down on biosecurity measures. On Wednesday, the WSDA announced the confirmation multiple cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in non-commercial backyard flocks in Pierce County ...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is preparing for its annual hunt for invasive pests and diseases. The Department will set thousands of traps statewide to monitor for the introduction or spread of over 130 invasive pests and diseases, including spongy moth, formerly known as gypsy moth, Asian giant hornet, apple maggot and Japanese beetle. ...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture plans to start its efforts to eradicate the Japanese beetle infestation in south central Washington Monday, May 2nd. The Department says all together, it plans to treat around 2,000 acres in the Grandview area in both Yakima and Benton counties ...