[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358142,"mediaKeyId","2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7","parentId",2212788,"title","WSDA outlines threats to farm viability and outlines climate‑resilience, tech and workforce priorities","audioSeconds",2114,"startMs",3655000,"endMs",5769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7&start=3655&end=5769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7/thumbnail_3655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358142/Washington/WSDA-outlines-threats-to-farm-viability-and-outlines-climateresilience-tech-and-workforce-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358142-0d1bee747f9de00dd40bfdc2b05d0a48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159108&Signature=C-KYfj5jj8CBpfk7kBrobTWeluolUEoPaDYv5AMXrGG-cemvKlXfwkGqUDTxzmdLsPr1HdhFtyGgGLEU~HvRIduzGzQT5Sk1In87cpeqzzpSG9tuO-5Y~dwz-4O~PrTuhEC4PD2pfYrCWhYIdZruLWlz~KL6UdixSSDjv2C0yJTQanRowK1VIKz3L185LHP4~w8u~XbaoGA9rcvZrzQlQXyfMMty9~COjZ2fFjbbYGr1H32pyKXzmbUE~1~6M2ZigNBA81ZORg75g3VzVjAaC~t~hP19k~FWNV4d8RB5yr1NTcB4Yo9~NIgwv9Er38Ta-3~y~UblxIcxmaC5utq3Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Agriculture & Natural Resources","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","Department of Agriculture staff briefed the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 31 about efforts to support sustainable agriculture in Washington, focusing on economic viability, stewardship, climate resilience and technology adoption.

Madison (“Maddie”) Roy, an agricultural economist at WSDA, summarized current trends she said threaten farm sustainability: rising input costs (noting a 12% production‑expenditure rise between 2022 and 2023 with labor accounting for a large share of the increase), consolidation (WSDA figures cited a 10.4% drop in farm numbers over five years with remaining farms growing in size), and pressure on rural livelihoods. She said Washington produces more than 300 commodities, accounts for roughly $14 billion in agricultural production value, and exported about $2.34 billion in food and fiber products in 2022.

Roy described an ongoing agricultural competitiveness study with Washington State University’s Impact Center to examine challenges and opportunities for Washington producers, and listed priority interventions raised by producers at a recent conference: technical assistance, land and capital access, workforce development, incentives for stewardship practices and market support.

Danny Gilardi, senior soil scientist and WSDA climate coordinator, highlighted evidence that conservation practices can both improve resilience and raise farm profitability. He cited national and Washington surveys showing no‑till and cover‑crop benefits — lower input costs, reduced erosion and improved soil moisture — but said upfront equipment costs and lack of localized research and technical support limit adoption, particularly for small and historically disadvantaged operations.

Julia Charlenchamp (special assistant to the director) discussed ag‑tech and innovation that can address labor gaps and resource efficiency: precision irrigation and sensors, autonomous and electric platforms, robotic harvesters, and AI research partnerships (WSU Ag AID Institute and Smart Orchards). She noted pilot programs such as AgTech lending libraries, Snohomish County sensor programs that reduced water use, the STAR incentive pilot and WSU AgWeatherNet as critical data infrastructure.

WSDA asked lawmakers to consider investments in lab and composting infrastructure, workforce pipelines and flexible financing or partnership models that can lower barriers to adopting sustainable practices. Presenters also flagged ongoing efforts: the Washington Soil Health Initiative, a soon‑to‑be‑published Climate Resilience Plan outlining six goals and 27 strategic actions, and programs to expand diversity in the veterinary and ag workforce.

Committee members asked about differences across commodity types, indoor farming and financing for costly equipment; staff said the competitiveness study will break out impacts by commodity and farm size and noted existing federal and state grant programs while calling for more flexible public‑private partnerships and lending solutions.

The briefing closed with an invitation to lawmakers to review the department’s forthcoming climate‑resilience plan and related decision packages.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Agriculture & Natural Resources - 1/31/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Department of Agriculture staff briefed the committee on threats to agricultural sustainability — rising input costs, consolidation and labor shortages — and described plans including an agricultural competitiveness study, a climate resilience plan and programs to support soil health, precision agriculture and workforce development.","taxTitle","Agriculture and Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20253,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358147,"State veterinarian updates committee on avian influenza spread, dairy testing and surveillance needs",1801,1638000,3439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7&start=1638&end=3439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7/thumbnail_1638000.jpg","/articles/6358147/Washington/State-veterinarian-updates-committee-on-avian-influenza-spread-dairy-testing-and-surveillance-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358147-5eeeaa07c1d280ed1d850bafa7112c3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159108&Signature=Bbh5PdfhH0v0BuhW0kx8epkpWKfMYVascd3JW33LP2r5gB8XnkCoQawRUHWfwO7aJRwAr8Ut6ZFQz8d1eXEG5hhoXimmpewNqQx2VlJ27CgmnQ3Ml5Z1xXqq-uQI~zDx~Lxk34IoD9OhBHBzZaBL2kf~vHR-hJCYf1fF1CcOo~cHwv37llI86AIWR6QCjsmbDhvGJkMgjm9GV2jnWpQPjJ3b6MAGp7r768eZ6Vx-m6JtoeoJc5OQLquUR1JU1Dk6Tg5y8WoWJxWg82BPlUEG1Sgb52-Ssv3P2VCdhUfmPBNlQgGLpGdfl-RtVGCBBacM7lgc2vTwWOKEPjeot5ZTNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Amber Ittle, the Washington state veterinarian at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, gave the committee a wide‑ranging update on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) during a Jan. 31 work session, summarizing surveillance, recent spillovers to mammals, dairy testing and response needs.

Ittle emphasized surveillance importance and that migrating waterfowl are the principal reservoir; she said Washington’s wildlife sampling found substantial prevalence in hunter‑harvested birds and warned that wildlife detections often presage spillover into domestic poultry. “We rely on producers, veterinarians and wildlife partners to report things that don't look right,” she said.

State counts and detections: Ittle told the committee that nationwide surveillance has identified widespread HPAI and that “139,000,000 birds have died at this point from the disease.” She said that in Washington state there have been detections across wildlife and domestic sectors: 51 backyard flocks and three commercial flocks in 19 counties, and “over 2,000,000 birds have died” domestically in the state to date. She reported the most recent commercial detection in Franklin County on Jan. 22 and said that incident remains in response.

Ittle described troubling spillovers beyond birds: USDA testing after a Washington dairy response found 33 peri‑domestic species (mice, starlings, sparrows, pigeons) positive for HPAI at one affected farm, raising questions about those species’ roles in on‑farm transmission. She also discussed mammal infections nationally, noting hundreds of detections in carnivorous mammals that likely consumed infected birds; she said these appear to be “dead‑end hosts” with no confirmed mammal‑to‑mammal spread so far.

On cattle and dairy: Ittle explained that a distinct HPAI genotype associated with dairy cows (described in federal sequencing reports as a dairy‑linked genotype) has been reported in multiple states and that the principal concern is farm‑to‑farm transmission once that strain is introduced. She said Washington requested federal status under the national milk testing strategy after conducting tests at most state dairies and noted the state hopes to secure USDA recognition to manage trade and movement concerns.

Response, risks and needs: Ittle described the federal framework for foreign animal diseases, the lengthy depopulation and restocking process for commercial flocks, and the emotional toll on producers and responders. “If you drink pasteurized milk, it's safe,” she added when addressing food‑safety concerns. She urged continued support for surveillance, lab capacity (WADDL), composting and disposal infrastructure, interagency “One Health” collaboration, and rural veterinary workforce development. She also flagged mental‑health and responder‑fatigue impacts and asked legislators to consider long‑term investments in preparedness and infrastructure.

Committee members asked about mental‑health support and workforce shortages; Ittle said current resources (WSU extension programs and local health partners) are being used but more support and targeted outreach are needed. The presentation concluded with a request that the Legislature consider funding and policy measures to strengthen surveillance, lab and disposal capacity and to support workforce recruitment and retention in rural veterinary medicine.

No committee action or vote was taken; the briefing was part of a longer work session on sustainable agriculture and livestock health.","Washington State veterinarian briefed the committee on continued spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), surveillance findings in wildlife and domestic animals, dairy testing, and needs for lab capacity, composting infrastructure and mental‑health support for producers and responders.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358152,"Committee reviews bill to extend pesticide application safety committee through 2035",255,1279000,1534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7&start=1279&end=1534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7/thumbnail_1279000.jpg","/articles/6358152/Washington/Committee-reviews-bill-to-extend-pesticide-application-safety-committee-through-2035","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358152-27f9c5e52b55156e8948be47c1160429/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159108&Signature=hHb1qmvZel7lEtezhd2iopoWFyX0t5bSNvVcy5tG~hVIvjtvQv-hRlKvv8LNWT9GB-kmWMq-ARFA8oRktuZ8daBS8Wi8YQdG8zX6UYRqREKEdKxZ~jkf6MHffSWMJaZsBqnkq4OfMXdigNms6o0LRxydGGffUIvgVsfVelMlwoDoYITZi2k-YXN889ORD1Mf8XPviuv-VYx2EWHlcDk6AoQdTVV9czm6BkH1ItGLj1SeYJGPQaYEPaV-8znGeTVKnGXmf8WX-0MctXPTYn4Bvq9mpgd8bFPDtkb14DstVtQeooAEZEOjDrSAv5yW5uVBE1krTgWduKtrOY0MYWhROw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee staff briefed members on House Bill 1294 during the Jan. 31 Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee hearing. The measure would extend the Pesticide Application Safety Committee (PASCO) until July 1, 2035, and remove a statutory restriction limiting the advisory group to a single in‑person meeting each year.

Lily Smith, staff to the committee, said PASCO was created in 2019 to evaluate pesticide application safety and to produce an annual report to the Legislature. The advisory group includes farm workers, growers, applicators and a toxicologist, she said, and the member advisory group had been limited to one in‑person meeting.

Sponsor Rep. Tom Denn, introduced the bill as a continuation of work begun after a 2018 pesticide report and interim study that led to the committee’s creation in 2019. Denn told members the committee has provided a forum for applicators, growers and workers to collaborate on safety practices and said PASCO has been a “great tool for communication and collaboration.”

Committee members asked staff about a change in the fiscal note. Lily Smith said fiscal analysts were reviewing differences between the current fiscal estimate and last year’s, noting the current estimate came from the general fund rather than the previously proposed Motor Vehicle Account (MOTCO) source.

Public testimony was not offered in person; committee records show 29 pro and 4 con sign‑ins for the public record but no oral testimony at the Jan. 31 session. The bill was discussed in a public hearing only; no committee vote or final action was taken at this meeting.","House Bill 1294 would extend the Pesticide Application Safety Committee (PASCO) for 10 years and remove a restriction that limited the advisory committee to one in‑person meeting per year; staff and the prime sponsor briefed the committee and no in‑person testimony was offered.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358157,"Committee hears bill to create burrowing‑shrimp research program for Washington shellfish growers",1168,96000,1264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7&start=96&end=1264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212788-11c38eb621d2f403b3e899426d93ddc7/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/6358157/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-create-burrowingshrimp-research-program-for-Washington-shellfish-growers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358157-9482fd33b2c6324d5f7ba1c21d5fc441/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159108&Signature=U026~xLSH-XRc5Uk6-nfJRHAis42WTAi60rbj78XPOTVaD0XAXigrQKqqCv2qBH~Yn0alkZdzQ5j1-xTcwi-mmj3YJdCFmAUYwb6xzYhgBeabn09AGH51Qm7nj-pnoaioKxrofL8rBTlWiRVCozCIKlaoZfmw~ivxuanYM~KKSsqu12csRkG9k0DLAZVOjL5N8Y7~k8qzKveg6suokDycUbCIIBqN2yw-tfALOx06BR3XqudSSV8Ett9zFHWE2d9Ekykl5l4RFMZLoszizHxU1-EDzXNx-1SvCBhOi1~AlggWLcv~6kCs8mNmLTDWPFUQbKrwTyxx5ajmFmwGe3woQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 31 opened a public hearing on House Bill 1309, which would direct the Washington State Department of Agriculture to establish an integrated pest management (IPM) research program aimed at reducing the impacts of burrowing shrimp on bottom‑culture shellfish farming.

The bill would create a governing board, a non‑appropriated account to support grants, and a consensus‑based decision process; the program and account would expire July 1, 2035. Representative Joel McIntyre, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee the measure is “a good little bill” and “the start of a solution” for coastal communities affected by the pest.

Why it matters: growers and state staff told the panel that burrowing shrimp change substrate consistency so oysters and clams cannot adhere and survive, costing acreage, jobs and revenue in rural coastal counties. WSDA staff said the agency has administered an IPM grant program under a settlement agreement since 2019 and has already awarded nearly $4,000,000 to roughly 20 research projects testing cultivation changes, mechanical approaches, biochemicals and potential control compounds.

Laura Butler, legislative liaison and aquaculture coordinator at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, described the bill as a transition of the existing IPM working group — created through a growers’ settlement agreement — into a formal program at WSDA for a 10‑year term. “Nearly $4,000,000 have been awarded to grants, and we've been able to fund nearly 20 research projects,” Butler told the committee.

Representative Joel McIntyre, R‑19th Legislative District, said the bill is intended to assemble scientists, growers and regulators to recommend balanced, evidence‑based tools. “The ingenuity of the farmers should not be understated. They've tried everything,” McIntyre said, calling the proposed board a way to bring “the brightest minds” together.

Growers who testified described economic and ecosystem harms. Marilyn Sheldon, treasurer of the Willapa‑Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association and co‑owner of Northern Oyster Company, said her company farms about 1,500 acres of bottom culture and has lost roughly 500 acres since controls were restricted. “Shellfish farmers have not had a viable tool since 2014,” she said, adding that the industry in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor produces a large share of U.S. farmed oysters and sustains rural jobs.

Miranda Reese, president of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association and a fourth‑generation shellfish farmer, urged the committee to back the research program as a way to develop alternatives after the primary chemical control was phased out. “This bill is a significant step to providing shellfish farmers with the research and the tools we need,” Reese said.

Kathleen Nisbett Moncey, CEO of Goose Point Oyster and president of the Willapa‑Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association, said the IPM working group has moved research to a “50/50 way point” toward multiple tools ready for field testing and warned that halting that momentum would be “devastating.”

Committee members asked about scale and timing; witnesses said a single magic solution is unlikely and that a suite of tools will be needed. Butler said WSDA’s competitive grants focus on research and permitting assistance and that the governing board would include agency representatives, growers and other industry stakeholders, with appointments coordinated with legislators in ocean‑bordering districts.

Public record and next steps: the committee closed public testimony on HB 1309 after receiving pro/con sign‑ins. No committee action or final vote was recorded at the hearing; the measure remains in the committee for next steps.

Votes at the hearing: none (public hearing only).","A public hearing on House Bill 1309 outlined a proposal to formalize and fund an integrated pest management research program in the Department of Agriculture to help shellfish growers address burrowing‑shrimp damage in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

WSDA outlines threats to farm viability and outlines climate‑resilience, tech and workforce priorities

State veterinarian updates committee on avian influenza spread, dairy testing and surveillance needs

Committee reviews bill to extend pesticide application safety committee through 2035

Committee hears bill to create burrowing‑shrimp research program for Washington shellfish growers