Washington State Department of Agriculture

We're so excited to announce the launch of our new WSDA video! From making sure the food you eat is safe to preventing the spread of invasive pests, we do a lot more than you might think. This is who we are and what we do. --- If you're interested in joining our department, check out our current job listings! https://lnkd.in/guWBE3na #wsda #waagriculture #washingtonagriculture #wafood #wafarms #wagrown #wastate #wastategovernment #weareAg

Burrowing shrimp are threatening Washington’s coastal shellfish farmers. In Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, these shrimp are turning productive shellfish beds into desolate mud flats. In response, representatives from Washington state agencies, associations, and growers created the Integrated Pest Management Working Group (IPMWG). This group is tapping into the best available science to develop environmentally safe and effective solutions that shellfish farmers can use to stop burrowing shrimp from ruining their crops. Shellfish aquaculture is the backbone for lots of family farms in our state and plays a key role in our economy, especially in the rural communities of Southwest Washington. The members of the IPMWG are committed to working together to find a solution that works for family farms, the public, and the environment. Visit the IPMWG website to learn more about their efforts to combat burrowing shrimp and protect our coastal shellfish farmers. https://www.ipmwg.org/ -- The IPM Working Group includes representatives from Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association (WGHOGA) and the Department of Ecology as well as the Departments of Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, Commerce, Washington Sea Grant, the Pacific Shellfish Institute, the Conservation Commission, and Shoalwater Bay Tribe. Washington State Department of Ecology Washington State Department of Natural Resources Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Washington Sea Grant Pacific Shellfish Institute Washington State Conservation Commission Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe #IPMWG #IntegratedPestManagement #WorkingGroup #ShellfishFarmers #OysterFarmers #BurrowingShrimp #Aquaculture #WSDA #Ecology #FishandWildlife #NaturalResources #Washington

?? Pet health alert?? WSDA confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cats, linked to contaminated pet food. If you have recently fed your pets Wild Coast Raw pet food, please check your supply and monitor your pets for any signs of illness. ?? What You Need to Do: ?? Check your pet food—dispose of any recalled or questionable products. See our website for the lot number associated with the contaminated Wild Coast Raw pet food. https://lnkd.in/g4qcES-M ?? Watch for symptoms in your pets, including lethargy, respiratory issues, or loss of appetite. ?? Report any suspected illness to your veterinarian immediately. Stay informed and keep your animals safe! #PetHealth #AvianInfluenza #CheckYourPetFood #HPAI #H5N1 #BirdFlu #cats

?? Save the dates! ?? Join the Making Soils Data Actionable webinar series hosted by the Washington Soil Health Initiative (WaSHI) & Washington State Conservation Commission (WCC) Center for Technical Development. Learn how to turn soil data into action with real-life farm management examples. Overcome data overload and make informed decisions! ?? Register for FREE: https://lnkd.in/gKWzz9Np Webinar #1 | Soil physical properties: Compaction Tuesday, March 11th, 12-1pm Webinar #2 | Precision agriculture technology and data Tuesday, March 18th, 12-1pm Webinar #3 | Soil chemistry meets biology: Nitrogen credits Tuesday, March 25th, 12-1pm Farmers, advisors, and decision-makers — don’t miss this! #WaSHI #WCC #SoilHealth #FarmManagement #AgTech #SoilScience

Dairy Day at the Capitol! ??????? Last week, dairy farmers from across Washington gathered in Olympia to talk with state legislators about key issues they're facing today. To celebrate, the Washington State Dairy Commission gave out all sorts of delicious dairy products from our state. People were able to fill up their tote bags with string cheese, yogurt, and ice cream sandwiches! Washington has almost 400 dairies with nearly 275,000 cows and dairy has a significant impact on our state's economy. Huge shout out to all the dairy farmers in Washington who are working hard to keep our dairy industry going strong. ?? #WashingtonDairy #WADairy #WADairyCommission #DairyDay #2025 #Olympia #DairyFarmers #Cows #Milk #IceCream #Yogurt #Cheese

?? SAVE THE DATE?? SoilCon25: Tree Fruit Soil Health Workshop Join us for the latest research-based information on managing soil health in tree fruit. Date: February 27th, 2025 Time: 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm PST Location: Confluence Technology Center, Wenatchee, WA (or online) Cost: $25 Topics: ? What is tree fruit soil health? ? What is the new soil health initiative? ? Soil health management tools to help mitigate tree stress and improve fruit quality in the face of climate extremes. ? Tools to mitigate replant disease. REGISTER for in-person HERE: https://lnkd.in/gTdzcYhr REGISTER for onine HERE: https://lnkd.in/gauGSu5k

?? "Chick Days" are here! ?? Eggspert tips for getting prepared Egg prices are soaring, partly due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, leading many to raise their own chickens. Farm stands selling fresh eggs are popping up, but remember to check regulations if you're selling eggs! ?? As 4H and FFA youth prepare for upcoming fairs, chicks are arriving for “Chick Days” at feed stores and Easter celebrations. While the future is uncertain, bird shows are still on the table, depending on HPAI detections. Stay tuned! In the meantime, here are some tips for raising healthy chicks: ?? Buy from NPIP-approved flocks (find a list by state) ?? Isolate new chicks for at least 30 days ?? Practice good biosecurity and limit visitors to the coop ?? Know the signs of HPAI and keep domestic birds separate from wild ones Check out our blog for more egg-cellent tips at https://lnkd.in/gWJhPGfY Happy chick raising—your birds (and future eggs) will thank you! ?? #ChickDays #eggs #easter #chickens #hens #hpai #birdflu #h5n1

Happy Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Week! ?????? The CSA (or farm share) model allows you to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce while directly supporting your local farmers. By investing in a local farm in advance of the harvest season, farmers can use these up-front funds to help cover all the costs to grow the food for the upcoming season. Check out our latest blog post to hear directly from local farmers and Eat Local First about why CSAs are important and how you can find one near you! ??? Eat Local First - Washington's source for local food https://lnkd.in/ggDhHynq #CSAWeek #CSA #CommunitySupportedAgriculture #Washington #SupportLocalFarms #EatLocalFirst #FreshAndLocal #EarlyBirdFarm #UrbanFuturesFarm #KnowYourFarmers #CSAFinder

Yesterday, Director Derek Sandison was confirmed by the Senate to continue leading the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)! ?? Under his leadership, WSDA has expanded support for local food systems, strengthened plant and animal health programs, enhanced food safety measures, and increased resources for farmers and agricultural businesses across the state. Director Sandison's commitment to Washington agriculture has helped drive innovation and sustainability in the industry. "I am honored to continue leading WSDA and serving Washington’s agriculture community. The hard work and dedication of our farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers make our state’s food system strong. I look forward to continuing our shared efforts to support and grow this vital industry." – Director Sandison #WSDA #Director #Washington #Agriculture #Senate

Potato Day at the Capitol! ??????? On Tuesday, farmers gathered in Olympia to meet with state legislators to share their experiences and talk about the challenges family potato farms are facing in Washington. In celebration, the Washington State Potato Commission served 1,600 baked potatoes. ?? People were able to enjoy one of our state's top crops while reflecting on all the hard work that goes into every spud. Did you know Washington produces 23% of the U.S. potato supply? That’s 10 billion pounds of potatoes! Matt Harris, Director of Governmental Affairs for the Washington State Potato Commission, said, “We’re proud to grow potatoes in Washington because they’re not just a great food, they’re a vital part of our local economy. When you eat a potato, you're supporting family farms and helping keep agriculture strong in our state.” ?? Washington State Potato Commission #PotatoDay #WashingtonPotatoes #WAPotatoes #Olympia #StateCapitol #Spuds #Farmers #SupportLocal #ThankaFarmer