WSDA

According to the latest Washington State Food Security Survey, groceries were the most common expense reported as hard to afford in the past month.  Results for WAFOOD5, the fifth and latest iteration of the survey, were released in mid-February.  Those r...

On Wednesday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed that two more indoor cats have contracted Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.  WSDA said the cats, one in King County, the other in Snohomish, were consuming Wild Coast Raw pet food, a pet food that was previously identified during a prior public health alert.  One of ...

This is Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week, and to mark the occasion, a webinar focused on the Japanese beetle will take place Tuesday.  The Washington State Department of Agriculture says the webinar will provide an opportunity for the farming community and the general public as well to learn more about this highly invasive pest that can feed on more than 300 plants.     ...

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...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture will host a webinar Tuesday, focused on preparing for Japanese Beetle treatments this year.  WSDA said the 45 minute on-line session will show those in impacted areas how the sign up for treatment, how to prepare for treatments, and know when the treatment is over.  The Dep...

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...

Now that the New Year has come and gone, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is reminding residents now is the time to sign up for Japanese Beetle treatments.  In the coming days, the WSDA will send out Japanese beetle treatment consent letters.  The Dep...

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 ...