Washington Soil Health Initiative

Drones, sap analysis, lime applications, and nitrogen management are helping to reshape sustainable farming. At the Palouse Conservation District’s field day, funded by the Sustainable Farms and Fields Program, farmers explored precision ag tools —learning how to reduce herbicide use, improve soil health, and manage inputs more efficiently. These innovations are crucial to building climate-resilient farms. Read more on the WaSHI blog: https://lnkd.in/gj_Se8pD

Clay Hutchens, the 2023 Washington Soil Health Initiative Producer of the Year, is featured on the latest episode of the On-Farm Trials podcast by the PNW Farmers’ Network. Tune in to hear Clay’s take on the importance of soil health, his work addressing soil acidification with the Columbia County Conservation District, and his experience being an early adopter of precision nutrient management technology. Get the inside scoop on how he’s kept up with technology – like fitting his first computers into the tractor cab! Catch the full episode now: https://lnkd.in/ggbwaDZ9

SoilCon: NW Washington Cropping Systems is coming up at the Lynden Ag Show on Dec 4, 2024, bringing region-specific soil health insights for raspberry and potato cropping systems in Northwest Washington. Agenda Highlights Raspberry Sessions (9 am - 12 pm): - Discover the latest in soil-borne disease prevention and management from top experts across Washington, California, and Oregon. - Featured panel with leading experts on nematode management, soil health, and pathogen suppression. Potato Sessions (1:30 pm - 3:10 pm): - Hear updates on soil health research impacting potato production, including reduced disturbance impacts, arthropod management, and moisture control. - Learn cutting-edge approaches to managing soil-borne pathogens for potatoes in NW Washington. 📅 Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 ⏰ Time: 9 am - 12 pm (raspberry); 1:30 pm - 3:10 pm (potato) 💲 Cost: $75+ includes Lynden Ag Show 🪪 Pesticide credits: Available for both sessions (WA) Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gTgca8Xi

STAR is excited to announce that we have begun a process to develop field forms and scoring for grazing lands. We believe that livestock production on grazing lands can be harmonious with nature in ways that are beneficial for economic production and ecological function. We are committed to building STAR for Grazing Lands in a way that recognizes both the uniqueness of each ranch and the universality of the principles of good grazing management. As we develop STAR for Grazing Lands, the participation of local producers, agricultural professionals, scientists and others helps us fulfill our commitment to be locally-led, science-based, and region-specific. If you are interested in participating, please let us know https://lnkd.in/gVNj9ZJe Read more about STAR for Grazing Lands development in this month's bulletin https://lnkd.in/edW2hbGF

National STAR is seeking ranchers, agricultural professionals, scientists, and conservation advocates—especially those from Washington—to help guide the development of STAR for Grazing Lands. STAR is crafting field forms and scoring systems for grazing lands that respect each ranch’s unique character while advancing good grazing management practices. To join the advisory group, complete the STAR for Grazing Lands Interest Form: https://lnkd.in/gVNj9ZJe

Earlier this year, Dani Gelardi outlined the positive and negative impacts of the Climate Commitment Act on Washington’s agricultural sector. Now, she returns with a crucial update about fuel surcharges that producers may have experienced. Good news: support is now available for the agricultural community that paid Climate Commitment Act-related fuel surcharges in 2023! Read the full update on the WaSHI blog: https://lnkd.in/gnKpYjrD

One week away! Join the Washington State Conservation Commission, Washington State University, and KR Creative Strategies on October 24th to learn about the contribution that organic and climate smart agriculture makes toward Washington's climate response goals. We'll share project results to date, and work in development on the themes of current priorities, challenges, available resources, and suggestions on future resources to help support climate-smart agriculture in Washington. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gpMzAY9y

This Indigenous Peoples' Day, hear from our staff in our latest video as we honor the diversity across Native communities and their deep connection to agriculture. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gANPWc46 For the Intertribal Agriculture Council, agriculture is more than cows and tractors—it’s about food sovereignty, land stewardship, and connecting generations through traditional ecological knowledge. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #FoodSovereignty #IndianAg #LandStewardship #TEK

In our long-term soil health trial, one of the practices we are evaluating is retaining vs removing crop residues. Farmers can sell straw bales for some extra cash, but do the soil benefits of keeping the straw outweigh this added income? We'll find out! Washington Soil Health Initiative

Could seaweed help build healthier soils? Nicole Jain Capizzi and others are exploring the question in a new project. Fast-growing Ulva seaweed sponges up carbon and nutrients, but when it clogs shellfish beds, it creates a problem for growers. Instead of letting it decompose in the water, researchers are testing whether applying seaweed to farmland can improve soil health and boost carbon storage. By feeding soil microbes, seaweed might help build long-lasting, carbon-rich organic matter—a potential tool for fighting climate change. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gqwDsC9e