Farmer Digest from WSDA Regional Markets Program
Ide, Micha (AGR)
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Hello all,
Please see below for updates and opportunities from WSDA Regional Markets and our partners around the state. You can also check out our Current Opportunities for Farmers in Washington webpage to see the latest. Have something you’d like us to add? Let us know!
As a reminder, WSDA Regional Markets staff is here to support you! If you need regulatory guidance, business support, marketing advice, or just want to chat about your business’s goals and needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Contact Regional Markets Staff
Note: This email is coming to you through a listserv you have signed up for that is not managed by WSDA. If you would like to unsubscribe, please contact your listserv manager. |
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WSDA REGIONAL MARKETS TRAVELING OFFICE HOURS AND FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORKING EVENTS |
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WSDA Regional Markets Program is visiting several locations around the state in the next few months and is looking forward to connecting with farmers in those regions. Each gathering will have two hours: Office Hour for Farmers Come learn about the WSDA Regional Markets Program, which offers information, resources and grants, training and technical assistance, and regulatory guidance to farms and local buyers of Washington agricultural products. Program Staff will be on hand to answer your questions and share resources to support your small farm business. Other regional farm service providers will also be on hand to share resources. Farm to School Networking for School Buyers & Local Farmers Join WSDA for a facilitated networking hour to learn about successful farm to school partnerships and meet one-on-one with interested school buyers and local food producers. WSDA recently awarded grants to schools and childcare providers to purchase local food from growers like you. Explore this map to see grantees in your area. |
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February Locations, Dates, and Times |
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Okanogan: Tuesday, Feb 13, 9-11AM Nespelem: Tuesday, Feb 13, 2-4PM Colville: Wednesday, Feb 14, 10am-Noon
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March Locations and Dates Wenatchee: Mar 11 Yakima: Mar 12 Walla Walla: Mar 13
Registration for March dates coming soon! Want to be kept in the loop? Let us know! |
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WSDA ANNOUNCES AWARDS FOR FALL 2023 LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT |
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Washington State Department of Agriculture has announced awards for the Fall 2023 Local Food System Infrastructure Grant. (Read the press release).
We want to congratulate the 96 awarded projects and express thanks and recognition to all the applicants for their time and dedication to supporting Washington’s local food system. WSDA received 442 applications, with requests totaling over $62 million dollars– ten times the available funding.
WSDA Regional Markets Program was pleased and honored to receive so many exciting applications. Small farms, ranches, and food business entrepreneurs play an important role in maintaining Washington’s vibrant and robust local food system. The interest in these grants demonstrates the clear need for investment in local food system infrastructure. Every application represented an opportunity to build capacity and resilience into our food system; we really wish we could fund many more of these worthwhile activities.
We are grateful to the Washington state legislature for the funding to make these awards in support of our local food system, including local meat processing capacity, and we are hopeful for continued support and funding.
To learn more the Local Food System Infrastructure Grant and how to apply in the future visit the grant website. The next round of funding is expected to open in March. |
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BIPOC FARMER MICRO-GRANTS |
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Rodale Institute offers a micro-grant program specifically targeted to support projects and consulting for small-scale BIPOC farmers, whether you’re organic, transitioning to organic, or an aspiring organic farmer. Grant funding is focused on needs such as tools, equipment, training, consulting, or anything that ensures the farmer’s success. Funding should have the potential to positively impact a farmer’s transition to organic, allow them to better market their products, or solve a particular problem that is typically un-fundable through normal operational or lending strategies. |
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DEADLINE TO APPLY: FEB 28 |
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USDA VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANT NOW OPEN |
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The Value Added Producer Grant program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of this program. Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures are eligible to apply for this program. |
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DEADLINE TO APPLY:
APR 11 |
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USDA EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM (TRACK 2) |
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Did you suffer crop loss and damages during the wet, cool spring of 2022? USDA’s Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022 Track 2 is a revenue-based certification program designed to assist producers who suffered a loss in revenue resulting from 2022 calendar year disaster events when compared with revenue in a benchmark year. Qualifying disaster event means: wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions occurring in calendar year 2022. Note: Producers who receive ERP payments are required to purchase crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for the next two available crop years.
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AGRITOURISM BUSINESS PLANNING WITH AGPLAN |
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Draft your business plan this winter! For seven weeks, from February 13 through March 26, we will guide business owners and managers through the process of developing your business plan using
AgPlan. Each week will cover a different section of the process. If you do your homework in between sessions, you'll have a business plan drafted by the end of March. WHERE: VIRTUAL COST: FREE
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WSU CULTIVATING SUCCESS AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP & BUSINESS PLANNING COURSE |
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We’ll cover a broad range of topics and decision-making tools for you to create a successful small farm enterprise! Whether you are just exploring the opportunities available or already have an existing operation, you’ll learn what it takes to create, sustain, and grow a viable small farm or food business. Part 1: 6 week course offered Tuesdays from 6pm-8:00pm February 20th-March 26th 2024 fully online through Zoom. Students access course syllabus, calendar, and learning modules through password protected website. Course offered with Spanish interpretation. Part 2: In-person Intensives in Western and Eastern WA located at the Skagit County and Stevens County Extension Offices on April 13th. COST: $200 (scholarships available) |
Micha Ide
(she/her/hers, pronunciation )
Small Farm Direct Marketing Specialist
WSDA Regional Markets Program
Call/text: 360-867-8686
Ide, Micha (AGR)
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Happy almost spring!
While we know many farmers and ranchers are busy prepping for the season ahead, we hope you will take a few moments to peruse the offerings below. Be sure to bookmark our Current Opportunities for Farmers in Washington webpage to keep abreast of the latest grants, workshops, and other opportunities for producers and local food business owners. Have something you’d like us to add? Let us know!
As a reminder, WSDA Regional Markets staff is here to support you! If you need regulatory guidance, business support, marketing advice, or just want to chat about your business’s goals and needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out! It would be our pleasure to work with you. |
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Contact Regional Markets Staff
Note: This email is coming to you through a listserv you have signed up for that is not managed by WSDA. If you would like to unsubscribe, please contact your listserv manager. |
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WSDA REGIONAL MARKETS TRAVELING OFFICE HOURS AND FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORKING EVENTS |
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WSDA Regional Markets Program has been visiting several locations around the state and has enjoyed connecting with farmers in those regions. Our final events are happening next week! Each gathering will have two hours: |
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Office Hour for Farmers Come learn about the WSDA Regional Markets Program, which offers information, resources and grants, training and technical assistance, and regulatory guidance to farms and local buyers of Washington agricultural products. Program Staff will be on hand to answer your questions and share resources to support your small farm business. Other regional farm service providers will also be on hand to share resources. Farm to School Networking for School Buyers & Local Farmers Join WSDA for a facilitated networking hour to learn about successful farm to school partnerships and meet one-on-one with interested school buyers and local food producers. WSDA recently awarded grants to schools and childcare providers to purchase local food from growers like you. Explore this map to see grantees in your area. |
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March Locations and Dates
WHO THIS IS FOR: Small and direct marketing farmers and ranchers |
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WA MEAT UP MOBILE BUTCHERY WORKSHOPS |
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The WA Meat Up Mobile Butcher Truck is bringing WSU Meat Science Workshops to butchers and meat producers around the state! We are offering two great options:
Learn about the whole process from feeding hogs to cooking chops! We’ll go over feeding programs, live animal evaluation, harvest, carcass evaluation and breakdown, and creating value-added products.
PORK Burlington Register by March 8 for early-bird pricing of $125
LAMB April 5, 6, 7 Register by March 15 for early-bird pricing of $125
BEEF May 8, 9, 10 Moses Lake Register by April 19 for early-bird pricing of $125
Learn and discuss how to support your business viability, profitability, and quality of life through addressing: 1) processing efficiencies 2) consumer preferences 3) consumer communications 4) on-farm practices that affect quality & yield 5) pricing strategies Check out our website for dates, locations, and registration details. More dates will be added soon!
WHO THIS IS FOR: Red meat farmers, ranchers, processors and butchers |
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WA Meat Up Quarterly Meeting |
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WA Meat Up quarterly calls are back! Join us to learn about what we have been up to behind the scenes, and our plans for 2024 and beyond. We will also hear from WSDA’s Lora Liegel to learn about the new Washington State Label and Promotion Program, and provide an opportunity for input. WHEN: MARCH 6, 9-10:30 AM |
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WHO THIS IS FOR: Meat and poultry farmers, ranchers, processors, butchers and anyone interested in the local meat economy |
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>> REGISTER |
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USDA Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program Webinar |
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Washington State FSA will be hosting a webinar on the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) on March 6, 2024 at 10 a.m. as part of the monthly webinar series. This session will review program provisions for yield-based crops. Value-loss crops (aquaculture, Christmas trees, floriculture, ginseng, mushrooms, nursery, and turfgrass sod) will be covered in a separate webinar at a later date. The presentation will discuss the program cycle, how to sign up and fill out forms, and how to request a payment in the event of a loss. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a moderated Q&A session with local program experts following the presentation. |
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WHEN: MARCH 6, 10 – 11:00 AM |
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>> CLICK HERE TO ATTEND (REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED) |
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AGWEST NEW PRODUCER GRANT |
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This grant opportunity from
AgWest Farm Credit celebrates the ingenuity and passion of new producers and can help their dreams come to fruition. This program was developed for those who have a vision for their operation but lack the funds to put their
plans into action. Successful applicants will receive a one-time $15,000 grant to support their operation's growth. · Be a full or part-time agriculturalist who has two years or less of operational experience or has plans to start their operation within two years of the grant application date. · Have an operation located within AgWest Farm Credit’s territory. · Not be a current AgWest lending customer. · Must be 18 years of age. · Be a U.S. citizen or a foreign national lawfully admitted for permanent residency or pursuant to certain visas.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 31
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WET FEET FARMING WEBINAR |
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Are you struggling to farm on saturated fields? Are you finding it more and more difficult to plant crops in the spring, get equipment onto fields, graze animals, or cut hay due to wet conditions? Many farms in our region are facing challenges with increasingly wet fields due to upland development, failing drainage infrastructure, and changing weather patterns. Join Snohomish Conservation District Agroforester, Carrie Brausieck, for a “Wet Feet Farming” webinar to learn more about this emerging issue and—more importantly—solutions! WHEN: MARCH 14TH 1-2:00 PM WHO THIS IS FOR: Farmers who struggle with wet fields
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