Jason Vander Kooy & Dan Wood featured on King 5 News

-Washington Farmers fight back on illegal fuel surcharge-

Organic Market Development Grant

The Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) program supports the development of new and expanded organic markets to help increase the consumption of domestic organic agricultural commodities. The program focuses on building and expanding capacity for certified organic production, aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, distribution, and development of consumer markets. OMDG aims to increase the availability and demand for domestically produced organic agricultural products and address the critical need for additional market paths.

AMS will give priority consideration to projects addressing specific pinpointed market needs for organic grains and livestock feed, organic dairy, organic fibers, organic legumes and other rotational crops, and organic ingredients currently unavailable in organic form.

Hunting Access of Private Lands

The Landowner Hunting Permit (LHP) Application is now open for the 2024-2026 seasons.

Minimum Criteria to Qualify for the LHP Program:

• LHP contracts must provide at least one of the following:
• Hunting opportunity that otherwise would not exist AND/OR
• Hunting opportunity that helps resolve chronic crop damage problems documented by WDFW.
• Minimum acreage: 1000 acres
• The landowner must provide substantial public benefit beyond the allotted WDFW public permit opportunity. Two additional forms of public access are strongly encouraged (ex., Fishing, upland/small game hunting, waterfowl, wildlife viewing, etc.). Providing these opportunities allows the applicant to score higher, ensuring a higher probability of being selected. For more information on what is considered a “substantial public benefit,” please see the SOP.
• Abide by the terms of the standard operating procedure and contract for the entire three-year period, including submitting the annual reports.
• Landowners can only be involved with one LHP statewide.

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.

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• 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.

Stockmanship & Stewardship- Beef

Stockmanship & Stewardship Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is coming to the Pacific Northwest on September 15^th-16^th. This unique event is focused on live low-stress cattle-handling, Beef Quality Assurance training, and industry updates you won’t find anywhere else. Gain an edge on learning about consumer concerns regarding beef sustainability and livestock welfare, how those concerns have impacted the industry, and the role that Beef Quality Assurance plays in the conversation. 

Producers who attend not only receive hands-on training in best management practices to help improve their operation, but also BQA Cow-Calf, Feedyard, and Rancher Transportation certifications. The event will also include the BQA-Transportation certification program for commercial haulers. This event is sponsored in part by the Beef Checkoff. The event is limited to 150 participants. Register today to reserve your spot, or get more information at: stockmanshipandstewardship.