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January 2023
The shortest days of winter are behind us, and spring is rapidly approaching. While the good weather days might provide some opportunities to start some field work, we have some resources below to help navigate the upcoming year regarding financing, market prices, soil research, and more. Dive into these on an inclement weather day to make the most of the season ahead.
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Farmland Protection
The Food Policy Forum’s Land Use Policy Solutions to Stem Agricultural Land Loss has been published, take a look through the introduction summary and recommendations to review the state of farmland loss and consider the recommended remedies.
The question of how we accommodate for a growing population while protecting the resiliency of our food system and the integrity of our ecosystems will certainly require a multifaceted approach and a recent op-ed from Dani Madrone of American Farmland Trust discusses one aspect of how we might address those issues.
The farm is located within Washington Farmland Trust's Pierce County focus area and ranked as a priority within their county-wide mapping effort. It is directly across the street from Pink Moon Farm (recently preserved) and is adjacent to 40 acres of forest owned by Nisqually Land Trust.
The Washington Legislature kicked off the 2023 session this month. Here are the bills we are tracking related to farmland preservation and agricultural viability:
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SB 5156 - Expanding the farm internship program.
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SB 5107 - Increasing the cap on gross sales for cottage food operations.
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HB 1133 - Establishing limitations on detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas.
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Agriculture in the news
"A vital ecosystem is living under our feet. Below the world we see every day is a complex living network, made up of plant roots, nutrients and fungi. Kevin Garcia, an assistant professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, is researching how certain fungi can strengthen this hidden environment and, in turn, sustain the plants we use up above."
"Prospective kelp growers who want to join the handful of existing commercial seaweed farms in the Pacific Northwest are having to contend with a lengthy permitting process. It's gotten contentious in a few cases, but even so, at least a couple of new seaweed farms stand on the cusp of approval. Their harvests could be sold for human food, animal feed or fertilizer."
https://capitalpress-or.newsmemory.com?selDate=20230106&goTo=A01&artid=3
"Are you a farmer, rancher or forest manager? Please share your vital feedback with USDA by taking a nationwide survey at farmers.gov/survey. The survey is completely anonymous, will take about 10 minutes to complete, is available in multiple languages, and will be open until March 31, 2023. The survey focuses on gathering feedback about the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Risk Management Agency."
Markets
A Non-Decreasing Interest Rate Environment and Agriculture
"Interest rates increased in 2022 and likely will continue to increase in 2023. As a result, interest rates are higher than from 2008 to 2021. Rising interest rates will have three impacts on agriculture: 1) Costs of using debt capital will increase, 2) The required breakeven to cover investments will increase, and 3) Downward pressures will be placed on asset values, including farmland."
"Northwest apples will be fewer, smaller and more expensive this year."
"Instead of praying for better weather in the future, Washington's tree fruit growers are buckling up for more cold and wet conditions."
Egg Prices Double During the Past Year
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Events
The WSFMA Conference is back in person February 24-25 at the Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth. Farmers market organizers, vendors, volunteers, and board members come together to get essential training on running food access programs, managing market operations, building market organizations, and creating professional connections to support the 2023 season.
This free, virtual conference will bring research, extension, and production together to move soil health principles into practice. SoilCon 2023 will be held February 14th & 15th, with sessions running from 8:00am-12:00pm PST each day. Soil health is trending topic in agricultural production and environmental resilience to climate change, but what does the latest research tell us and how can we put it into practice for regional systems? SoilCon aims to address these questions by explaining what metrics are used when assessing soil health, how these may change by production system and region, and management practices to support a resilient soil system. The topics will be relevant to agriculture or natural resource professionals, producers, consultants, University faculty and students, and interested members of the public.
Register now for the first of a series of in-person networking and learning events for women veteran farmers. This is hosted by American Farmland Trust in partnership with Rogue Farm Corps and their Changing Hands event in Bend, Oregon on Feb. 11.
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Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2023, which are effective Jan. 3, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
Requesting an Increase in ACEP-ALE Federal Share
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Washington recognizes that a significant amount of conservation easement appraisals are being valued much higher than originally anticipated at the time of application to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). To support existing projects, WA NRCS intends to reserve 10% of the federal fiscal year ACEP-ALE allocation for instances such as increases in appraised values. ACEP-ALE parcel contract participants (e.g., land trusts) seeking an increase in the federal share contribution to support the purchase of the agricultural land easement based on the appraisal must submit a federal share modification request to Carlee Elliott, WA NRCS Easement Program Manager. Requests are continuously accepted; however, participants are encouraged to submit a request by COB November 1 for immediate consideration. Requests are evaluated and executed by the State Conservationist on a first come first served basis. Questions regarding this matter may be directed to Carlee Elliott at Carlee.Elliott@USDA.gov.
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. The Fellowship Fund does not give money directly to the veteran, but rather to third-party vendors for items the veteran has identified will make a crucial difference in the launch of their farm business. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. The application period ends February 14, 2023.
The Rural Clean Energy Innovation Program marks a new opportunity for Commerce to support clean energy research, development, and implementation in Washington’s rural communities. Through Washington’s Clean Energy Fund (CEF), this program allocates $4.9 million to advance clean energy through a new grant program with set asides for bioenergy and tribal energy projects, and a workgroup. Building on previous CEF dairy digester programs, the Rural Clean Energy Grant Program includes specific funding for dairy digester bioenergy grants, rural clean energy innovation grants and tribal grants.
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Job Announcements
WSFMA Seeking applicants for the Food Access Coordinator Position
The Farmers Market Food Access Coordinator leads our team of Regional Leads and works with SNAP Ed and DOH partners to foster healthy eating, ensuring access to SNAP, SNAP Market Match, and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Position description and application information is available here. Please email info@wafarmersmarkets.org with any questions.
Tilth Alliance Development Coordinator
Build your fundraising and marketing skills! The ideal candidate for this new role in our team will be tech savvy, customer-focused and methodical. Gain valuable experience and exposure to different areas of work in a fun and fast-paced setting. Learn more and apply.
Tilth Alliance Farm Program Coordinator
Help with the development, delivery, and evaluation of our farm programs including Farm Walks and Farm Walks Podcast, the Tilth Conference, the Washington State Organic and Sustainable Farming Fund, and the farmer E-newsletter. Learn more and apply.
There are many opportunities for skilled folks across the state including: Assistant Professor - Native American Food Systems and the Environment, Franklin County Farmer 2, Extension Specialist - Columbia-Garfield Regional Agronomist, Livestock and Environmental Physiology Faculty, Assistant Professor Applied Soil Chemistry
From Asotin to Snohomish, there could be opportunities to contribute to the outstanding work of your local conservation district.
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