Update on Carbon Fuel Tax

The Washington State Dairy Federation wanted to provide an update to the work that is currently underway regarding the carbon fuel tax.

Our Policy Director, Jay Gordon, has been working on a task force with Department of Ecology to deal with the underlying exemption AND the creation of a 5-year additional exemption for on-highway fuel used to transport agricultural products. We’ll let you know when that additional exemption is worked out.

There has been a website created for the purpose of providing information to all agricultural producers. We've asked agricultural producers and organizations to share information and stay updated on further developments of the Farm Fuel Tax.

The “carbon tax” exemption for on-farm fuel use is clear in the law. Distributors should NOT be charging our farmers the carbon tax on fuel.

We are sharing this resource with other Washington farm organizations, hoping that it will be greatly promoted to farmers across the state.

Our intention is to use the marketplace to encourage fuel distributors to comply with the law that exempts on-farm fuel use.

This website has information, exemption certificates, and a running list of distributors NOT charging the fuel tax. We will be continuously updating the website as we get new information.

If your distributor is not charging the fuel tax and they are not listed, please email their information to alicia@wastatedairy.com.

Please visit this link to view the Washington Farm Fuel Tax Website.

Below you will find a letter that was recently sent to fuel distributors asking that they stop charging the carbon fuel tax. We sent a similar letter to fuel distributors back in June. In addition, we are asking for additional information regarding reimbursement/credit to farmers that were charged the tax.

Dairy Strong Scholarship

Dairy Farmers of Washington is committed to supporting the next generation of dairy farmers and industry professionals who will strengthen the Washington dairy industry.



The Dairy Strong Scholarship recipient will be a leader amidst their peers and committed to strengthening the Washington dairy community and will receive $5,000. Two runners-up will each receive $1,500.

Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2023. Please get in touch with Kaysha Keel (Kaysha@wadairy.org) with any questions.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be at least one of the following:
• Employed by a Washington dairy farm in good standing.
• Immediate family of someone employed by a Washington dairy farm in good standing.
•  Immediate family of a Washington dairy farmer.
• Actively participating in a dairy club or dairy education program (FFA, 4-H, CUDS, etc.).
• Scholarship funds may be used toward a university, trade school, or community college program in any state for the 2023-2024 academic year.
• Any major or field of study at an accredited institution qualifies.
• The winner of a $5,000 award must wait one year before they can re-apply for any subsequent award.
• There is no waiting period required for any winner of a lesser dollar award to re-apply.

Washington Dairy Ambassador Scholarship

Dairy Farmers of Washington is committed to supporting current and former county and state dairy ambassadors who served county or statewide in Washington.

The Dairy Ambassador Scholarship recipients will be leaders amidst their peers and committed to strengthening the Washington dairy community. One winner will receive $5,000 and two runner-ups will receive $1,500.



Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2023. Please contact Kaysha Keel (Kaysha@wadairy.org) for any questions.

Eligibility

• The applicant must be a former or current county or state Dairy Ambassador in Washington state enrolled in a four-year university, two-year college and/or trade school in any state for the 2023-2024 academic year with any major.
• Any major or field of study at an accredited institution qualifies. 
• The winner of a $5,000 award must wait one year before they can re-apply for any subsequent award.
• There is no waiting period required for any winner of a lesser dollar award to re-apply.