On April 29, 2025, the United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the second round of Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) payments would be disbursed to eligible specialty crop producers and provide up to $1.3 billion in additional program assistance.

Commercial potato seed samples are requested from Washington Growers for the Washington Seed Lot Trial. Two hundred whole (single drop) seed is an acceptable sample size, or 50 lbs. of 4 oz. single drop seed.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Insecticide Strategy that identifies protections for federally endangered and threatened species from the use of insecticides, while providing flexibility for pesticide users and growers. The Strategy identifies mitigations aimed at protecting more than 900 species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that EPA considers when it registers a new insecticide or reevaluates an existing one.

Potato growers across Washington State are invited to take part in an important new survey focused on decision support systems for insect pest management. The survey is part of a USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) project involving researchers and Extension educators across several universities, including Washington State University. This initiative aims to improve tools and decision-making support systems that help growers tackle pest challenges more efficiently and sustainably.

The Franklin Conservation District (CD) was awarded a $700,000 grant for community engagement and program development around air quality Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation in Benton and Franklin Counties.

The Washington State Legislature adjourned on April 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. after 105 days in session. In the final week, the Legislature passed the 2025–2027 operating, capital, and transportation budgets, all of which may be subject to vetoes by the governor.

Whether you’re looking for information on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), potato pests, or health and safety videos, WSPC’s website has the resources to support Washington growers.

Washington State University (WSU) Extension and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is providing Value Added Food Product Development Training on May 8, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at WSU Spokane in Spokane, Washington.