Farmer Digest
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Spring has sprung and we know farms are getting busy, but there are still plenty of upcoming opportunities that are designed to help your business thrive!
Be sure to check out our
Current Opportunities Webpage to see additional open and upcoming grants, workshops, conferences, and more.
Questions or comments about this email? Send us a note:
Small...@agr.wa.gov.
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OFFERINGS FROM REGIONAL MARKETS PROGRAM
DESIGNING COLD STORAGE WITH COOLBOTS
Are you a WA farm or food business with cold storage bottlenecks or pain points? Are you planning improvements or expansion to your cold storage? Join WSDA Regional Markets and
the makers of CoolBot for a virtual training on Designing Cold Storage with CoolBots.
Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of the basic components of cooler design using CoolBots and how to increase product quality through better cold chain
management. In this 1-hour interactive session we will cover:
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When do you need a WSDA Food Warehouse License?
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How to maintain the cold chain for product quality
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CoolBot solutions & design considerations
When: Fri April 4, 9-10AM
Where: Virtual
Cost: Free
This workshop will be offered with simultaneous Spanish interpretation
 2025
WASHINGTON MEAT SUMMIT
Designed to engage with producers, processors, restaurateurs and retailers, resource providers, and policy and decision makers to aid in the growth and support of the niche
meats sector. This will be learning and peer-to-peer sharing environment.
Meeting Highlights:
==> Keynote Address from Reed Anderson, owner and operator of Anderson Ranches and Kalapooia Processing on Transparent Business
Practices to Keep and Expand your Customer Base.
==> Low stress handling demonstration to improve animal well-being and quality.
==> Consumer education based on customer expectations
==> Peer-to-peer resource sharing, networking and problem solving.
Who: Farmers, ranchers, meat processors, slaughterers, composters, consumers,
resource providers
When: Saturday April 5, 10AM-4PM
Where: Pillar Rock Grill, Moses Lake Golf Club, 1373 Rd F.2 NE, Moses Lake, WA, 98837
Cost: $35 before 4/1. $45 after 4/1. (includes lunch and materials)
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Miss any of our recent workshops? Watch the recordings on your own time!
OFFERINGS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
AGRICULTURE SUPPORIN SPANISHT PROGRAM IS OPEN FOR 2024 FUEL PURCHASES
The Agriculture Support Program (ASP), from Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), is a funding opportunity for ag producers and transporters who purchased eligible fuel
between January 1 2024 and December 31, 2024. Payments will range from $600 to $4,500 based on the eligible number of gallons purchased.
If you purchased fuel from gas stations for production equipment or for transporting your products to market, you are eligible!
Email:
mich...@agr.wa.gov or call 360-867-8686 for support.
FOREST-GROWN SHIITAKE MUSHROOM PRODUCTION FOR DIVERSIFIED FARMS & STARTUPS
Join WSU Extension for an introductory workshopscovering the basics of producing shiitake mushrooms on logs, either as an enterprise to add to your farm's crop lineup, or as a small
side business. The workshop will have a hands-on and interactive component; each registered farm will get to inoculate a log during the workshop to take home afterwards. Participants will also be provided with shiitake production guidance materials being developed
by WSU Extension
When (choose one):
Friday April 11, 2:30 - 6:30 PM (REGISTER)
Friday April 18, 2:30 - 6:30 PM (REGISTER)
Friday April 25, 2:30 - 6:30 PM (REGISTER)
Where: Heritage Farm; 1919 N 78th St. Vancouver, WA 98665
Cost: $30 (includes up to 3 people from the same farm)
USDA NRCS URBAN AND SMALL-SCALE AGRICULTURE LISTENING SESSION
Rebecca Anderson Bellanca, WA NRCS State Small Farms & Urban Agriculture Specialist, is hosting a listening session open to the public to hear what the priorities are for folks
involved in urban and small-scale agriculture in Washington. This listening session is open to all growers and folks who work with growers on urban and small-scale sites.
When: Wed, April 16, 9-11 AM
Where: Virtual
LEARN AS YOU GO FEDERAL GRANT WRITING COURSE
The Northwest & Rocky Mountain USDA Regional Food Business Centers is offering a FREE eight-part course that equips you with tested strategies to craft a competitive grant application.
We’ll demystify federal grant jargon, ensure you’re prepped for success, and guide you through the SAM.gov registration. From crafting workable budgets and work plans to a stress-free submission, we’ll walk you through every step. Familiarize yourself and
your team with the art of grant writing and secure the USDA funding you need to grow your business.
FREE RESOURCES FOR FARMS WITH FROZEN OR TERMINATED USDA CONTRACTS
The freezing or termination of USDA funding under a signed contract can be devastating. Farm Commons has put together free resources to help farmers assess their options, take action,
and gain a little more certainty in these turbulent times.
ZERO WASTE WASHINGTON FARMER PILOT PROJECTS
Zero Waste Washington has been working closely with farmers to tackle waste on farms across Snohomish, King, Kitsap, and Pierce counties. Through interviews with over 50 farmers,
ranchers, and agricultural workers, we’ve learned about the pressing waste challenges they face—particularly with plastic—and are launching three projects for farmers in March.
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Free Trial of Reusable CSA and Delivery Boxes
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50% Cost-Share Program for Durable Nursery Trays
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Nursery Tray and Pot Recycling Events
Read Zero Waste Washington's newsletter for more details, or email
nay...@zerowastewashington.org.
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