The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a new website with educational resources to help growers and pesticide applicators get the latest information regarding new regulations imposed in response to the Endangered Species Act.

Some significant changes involving Washington worker rights and pay take effect on January 1, 2025.

The Washington State Potato Foundation (WSPF) will be hosting a 1st Annual FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Contest where local high school students will be presenting 4-6 minute speeches about pressing potato industry issues.

The Washington Commission on Integrated Pest Management (WCIPM) recently awarded grant funds to enhance integrated pest management (IPM) projects of specialty crop researchers in Washington.

Who Should Attend: Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’ Except for potato producers.

The Marketing Assistance Program for Specialty Crops (MASC) program provides $2 billion to expand markets by helping specialty crop producers offset higher marketing costs related to the tenderness and perishability of fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs; specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control; packaging; moving perishables to market quickly; and higher labor costs.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to join us for an amazing event on January 28th - 30th, 2025 at the Three Rivers Convention Center.

Established in 2023, the Compost Reimbursement Program (CRP) is a grant program that reimburses Washington farmers who purchase compost from certain commercial facilities in the state (Click here to view a map of eligible facilities).