May 2025

Agriculture in the news

• Counting on the Cosmic Crisp: Washington's premier apple at the center of turmoil | The Spokesman-Review
  
  
• Skagit Delta farmers suffer setback in court | Capital Press
  
  
• Darigold reduces milk checks to pay for construction cost overruns | Capital Press
  
  
• Urban farming may soon be allowed in nearly all of Olympia | The Olympian
  
  
• Washington apple industry weathers tariff strains; concerns remain over trade war escalation | Wenatchee World
  
  
• What is H5N1? Birdflu in Washington | Kitsap Sun
  
  
• New EL 86.4 system begins irrigation water delivery | Capital Press
  
  
• Drought worsens in Yakima River basin; irrigators face half rations | Capital Press
  
  
• Washington solar project fast-tracked over Yakama Nation’s opposition | Capital Press
  
  
• USDA cuts hit small farms as Trump showers billions on big farms | Washington State Standard
  
  
• A spray in a cow's nose could soon protect it, and people, from bird flu | Phys.org and University of Maryland
  
  
• Maine looks to offer farmers zero-interest loans amid federal funding cuts | Maine Morning Star
  
  
• Trump weighs measures to bring farmworkers back to U.S. legally | The Columbian
  
  
• Proposed port fees could have 'devastating consequences,' Washington wheat growers warn | The Spokesman-Review

Resources and Events

• The Washington State Department of Commerce is looking for comments on their Draft Rural Lands Guidebook. Submit comments on their comment form before close of business on Friday May 23.
  
  
• America Farmland Trust has launched a service for Farmers and Land Trusts to utilize AFT's advisors. Find out more: Prosperity Partners · American Farmland Trust.
  
  
• The Dry Farming Collaborative and AMP Insights held a webinar on May 8 titled "Western Water Rights 101 for Agricultural Advisors". In case you missed it, the presentation was recorded and you can access the resources at the links below:
  • Recorded Presentation
  • Water Rights 101 slides
  • Resources on Water Rights Issues for West Coast small farmers
    
• The National Grazing Lands Coalition will be facilitating a grazing tour targeted for farmers, ranchers, and agriculture industry professionals June 10-13 from Richland. Find more information here.
  
  
• The USDA recently issued an updated Washington Water Supply Outlook Report which portrays a challenging season ahead. 
  
  
• The Washington State University Energy Program is looking for review and public comment of the Pumped Storage Hydropower Siting Study draft report. Review and comment here. 

Job Announcements

• Jobs | Washington Association of Land Trusts - Opportunities for the right candidates at land trusts across Washington. 
  
  
• Careers | American Farmland Trust - Several fully remote opportunities with AFT.
  
  
• Job Board | SCC - King Conservation District is looking for a Green Cities Coordinator. 

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The Washington State Conservation Commission administers the Office of Farmland Preservation to address the rapid loss of working farm and forest lands in our state. Learn more: www.scc.wa.gov/ofp.