whatcom county

Last week, the Washington state Department of Agriculture announced the recipients of eight water quality projects funded by fines issued to dairies.  The fines were issued to operations for improper recordkeeping or manure management.  The WSDA said its Dairy Nutrient Management Program works with dairies across the state to make sure they handle manure in ways that minimize the risks of impactin

Farm labor advocates groups are furious after a District Court judge in Bellingham trimmed a fine to $35,000 Tuesday for a blueberry farm accused of unsafe working conditions, after a worker died in August.  The State Department of Labor and Industry previously found Sarbanand Farms not liable for the death of Honesto Silva Ibarra, 28,  but it found the company failed to offer enough rest breaks a

A Washington blueberry grower is facing nearly 150-thousand dollars in state and local fines in connection with violations related to missed employee breaks and late meal periods.  However, the Department of Labor and Industries reported the Whatcom County farm was cleared of any workplace safety or health violations in relation to a worker who fell ill and died in August 2017.  ...

Derek Sandison, Director of the WSDA said the Ag economy in Washington is very strong and in good shape.  He told the Washington Ag Network many commodities, such as apples, hops and other point to the state’s success.  But, he noted the growth and expansion west of the Cascades to showcase the diversity and overall strength of the Evergreen state's Ag economy.   “North...