Washington farmers and farmworkers were recently the focus of a powerful new documentary, Farming on the Brink, produced by Save Family Farming. The film shines a light on the real-world challenges facing agriculture across Washington state from rising regulatory pressure and labor challenges to the increasing economic strain on family farms and the communities that depend on them.

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Temple Grandin will deliver the inaugural Cashup Davis Family Endowed Lecture at Washington State University in the CUB Senior Ballroom. Grandin, an internationally known author, inventor, and professor of animal science, will present her talk, “The World Needs All Kinds of Minds,” from 6:00–7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently implemented the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program, a significant federal investment aimed at supporting specialty crop producers, including Washington’s potato growers.

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has unanimously approved a proposal to expand the use of ethylene gas in organic food handling, allowing it to be used to prevent sprouting in stored potatoes and onions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new appointments to the Potatoes USA Board of Directors, with several Washington growers selected to help guide the future of the U.S. potato industry.

Washington State University has announced the appointment of Sieg Snapp as Associate Dean and Director of Research for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), marking a return to her roots and a significant addition to the university’s leadership team.

Washington State University is once again preparing for the 2026 Commercial Potato Seed Lot Trial, an important industry program funded by Washington potato growers to provide independent evaluations of seed quality before planting decisions are made.