Growing Organic with USDA Webinar

If you are an organic or transitioning producer looking for help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the USDA has upped its investments for organic agriculture. This includes the new Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) that helped create new programs as well as bolster support for existing ones. You can learn more at the webinar on June 6, 2023 at 11 AM. RSVP for the Zoom event.



Topics to include:

• Assistance with certification costs;
• Access to capital;
• Assistance for dairy producers;
• Technical and financial assistance for conservation practices;
• Risk management options and benefits;
• Changes for producers required by the Strengthening Organic Enforcement final rule;
• New wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers; and
• New grant funding for organic processors and brands.

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Rural Energy for America Program

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

How may the funds be used?

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
• Insulation.
• Lighting.
• Cooling or refrigeration units.
• Doors and windows.
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
• Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program

ODMAP was created to assist certified organic dairy producers facing a unique set of challenges in recent years, including higher costs attributed to the pandemic and drought conditions across the country. USDA will invest $104 million in financial assistance to certified organic dairy producers.

How ODMAP Works 

FSA is providing financial assistance for a producer’s projected marketing costs in 2023 based on 2022 costs. ODMAP provides a one-time cost-share payment, based on marketing costs, on pounds of organic milk marketed in the 2022 calendar year. 

The financial assistance from ODMAP provides immediate support to certified organic dairy operations during 2023 keeping organic dairy operations sustainable until the markets return to more normal conditions.  

Dairy Strong Scholarship

The Dairy Farmers of Washington's Dairy Strong Scholarship is officially open for applications!

If you or someone you know is passionate about the dairy industry and pursuing higher education, we encourage you to apply for the Dairy Strong Scholarship. It's a chance to receive financial assistance and make a significant impact on your academic journey.

• To learn more about the scholarship criteria and application process, please visit: Dairy Strong Scholarship Application. The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2023.

Cap & Trade and Carbon Markets Webinar

To those who were able to make it, thank you for participating in our recent webinar on Cap and Trade. We truly appreciate your presence and engagement. To ensure you have access to all the valuable insights and resources covered during the webinar, you can view a recorded version of the webinar below or at this link: WA Sustainability Series: Cap & Trade and Carbon Markets