*New Opportunity Coming Soon for Washington’s Agricultural Producer and Transporter Communities*

The Washington State Department of Licensing is partnering with you and your industry associations to provide financial assistance through our new Agriculture Support Program (ASP). Applications will be available starting the week of August 26.

This letter is to make you aware of the program and help you prepare to apply. We will send you additional information prior to the start of the program.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. What Is the ASP? The ASP is a funding opportunity for agricultural producers and transporters who have purchased fuel between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The state’s Climate Commitment Act exempts fuels used for agricultural purposes, such as diesel for tractors and trucks moving produce. Agriculture fuel users who qualify for this exemption can apply for payments between $600 to $4,500.



2. When Will This Take Place? The Department of Licensing will begin issuing ASP payments in September 2024. The application will be available in the week of August 26, 2024. Don’t delay: Due to limited resources, applications will be processed in the order they arrive.

3. What Can You Do Now? The application will include several questions to determine if you will be eligible. You can begin now to collect information that helps you answer the following types of questions: Did you purchase and use fuels for agricultural purposes between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023? Can you estimate how many gallons you used for agricultural purposes during this time period? Are you able to prove that you are an agricultural producer or transporter?

DOL will provide additional information and details by early August, including the types of documents you will need for your ASP application. 

NW Dairy Nutrient Management Field Day

Attention Dairy Producers in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties! We are excited to invite you to the NW Dairy Nutrient Management Field Day taking place on August 21st from 11-2:30 at Coldstream Farms, located at 2304 Valley Hwy, Deming, WA 98244.

Event highlights will include a dairy tour showcasing innovative practices and technologies, storage structure management opportunities, seasonal considerations with cover crops, extending your land base with manure nutrients using a silage corn rotation on potato fields, soil-nutrient-water interactions, controlled drainage and sub irrigation implications and soil moisture sensor information.

Secure your spot by registering now at this link. The first 50 producers that arrive will receive a voucher for a free soil test (western WA complete profile) at Soil test Farm Consultants. Also, come join us to enter to win a raffle for cover crop seed from CHS for a 50 acre field. Lunch will be provided.

This event is a valuable opportunity for NW dairy producers to gain insights from local supportive resources at the WSDA, NRCS, and NW WSU Extension Center. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to advance dairy nutrient management in our NW region!

Sponsored by CHS Lynden, Washington State Dairy Federation and Shellfish Funding from the Natural Estuary Program. Please contact Liz Whitefield with the WSDA Dairy Nutrient Management Program if you have any questions about this event (liz.whitefield@agr.wa.gov / 360-764-3099). 

NRCS-WA announces FY25 program application batching dates

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington (NRCS-WA) announced the following application batching dates for programs for Fiscal Year 2025 funding:



Environmental Quality Incentives Program Classic

Applications batching date Oct. 22, 2024

Conservation Stewardship Program Classic

Applications batching date is Jan. 17, 2025

Agricultural Conservation Easements Program – Agricultural Land Easements

The first round of applications batching is Oct. 4, 2024, and the second round of applications batching is Dec. 20, 2024.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easements

The first round of applications batching is Oct. 4, 2024, and the second round of applications batching is Dec. 20, 2024.

To read the full announcements for each of the programs, visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news?field_states=77 or scan the adjacent QR Code.

To learn how to get started with NRCS, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. To find your local field office, visit http://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator. To learn how to sign up for free email and text alerts about the latest NRCS program and national funding opportunities, visit https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/stay-connected.

USDA Announces August 14 Application Deadline for Emergency Relief Program Assistance for Commodity and Specialty Crop Producers Impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the deadline for commodity and specialty crop producers to apply for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) for 2022 natural disaster losses is Aug. 14, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began accepting ERP 2022 applications in October 2023. 

Background  

Through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) Congress allocated $3.2 billion in funding to cover an estimated $10 billion in uncovered crop losses.

ERP 2022 covers losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to qualifying calendar year 2022 natural disaster events including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought and related conditions.  

More Information  

ERP 2022 eligibility details and payment calculation factor tables are available on FSA’s Emergency Relief webpage, in the ERP Track 1 and ERP Track 2 fact sheets and through the FSA at your local USDA Service Center.  

USDA Now Accepting Applications for Available Funds to Help Cover Organic Certification Costs

Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31, 2024, deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved. 

Eligible Applicants, Expenses and Categories 

OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of organic agricultural commodities for expenses incurred obtaining or maintaining organic certification under USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible OCCSP applicants include any certified organic producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent.  

Cost share assistance covers expenses including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, inspector travel expenses, user fees, sales assessments and postage. OCCSP pays a maximum of $750 per certification category for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling, and state organic program fees (California only). 

How to Apply 

To apply, producers and handlers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center and be prepared to provide documentation of organic certification and eligible expenses. OCCSP applications can also be submitted through participating state departments of agriculture. For more information, visit the OCCSP webpage.  

Rural Energy For America Program

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

How may the funds be used?

Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:

• Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
• Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
• Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
• Hydrogen.
• Small and large wind generation.
• Small and large solar generation.
• Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
• Insulation.
• Lighting.
• Cooling or refrigeration units.
• Doors and windows.
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
• Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

Energy Efficiency Improvement applications must contain an Energy Audit, or Energy Assessment (depending on Total Project Costs) that complies with Appendix A to RD Instructions 4280-B

Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.

Pacific Coast Coalition Grant

The PCC-DBII supports dairy farmers and businesses across six Western states through funding, resources and partnerships.

Funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and hosted by California State University, Fresno, the PCC-DBII also collaborates with these partners to enhance its impact.

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible to apply for this grant subaward?

Applicants must operate (or endeavor to operate) a dairy farm or dairy processing plant in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and/or Washington and propose a project that meets at least one of the nine PCC-DBII goals.

Note: new applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for funding in Round 5.

What projects are ELIGIBLE for funding?

ELIGIBLE projects that modernize, specialize, expand, investigate and/or market the use of regionally produced milk to higher-value products, including projects to improve or add value chain and commodity innovation and/or facility process updates for dairy processors and to improve or add dairy product development, packaging, and marketing.

Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program

The Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program focuses on advancing on-farm sustainability solutions by funding innovative producer-driven research and outreach. This grant program involves agricultural producers (main applicants) and technical advisor(s) implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture.

We recognize that producers are always innovating and improving on-farm/ranch practices. This program aims to honor producer innovation by funding on-farm research that benefits and is led by producers themselves. We encourage you to explore whether this grant program is right for you.

How the Program Works

Projects with 1-2 producers may apply for up to $25,000 and projects with 3 or more producers working together may apply for up to $29,900.

With a Farmer/Rancher Grant, a producer and a technical advisor work together to develop a project (1-3 years in scope) that conducts both research and outreach on a sustainable agriculture topic. With the support and guidance of the technical advisor, producers must integrate research and education to conduct on-site/on-farm experiments to address social, environmental, and economic aspects of agricultural sustainability.

The goal of this program is to achieve results that can be communicated to other producers and professionals; sustain and improve the environmental quality and natural resource base on which agriculture depends; improve the profitability of producers and associated agricultural businesses; and enhance the quality of life for producers in local communities. Outreach activities may include on-farm/ranch demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer educational activities, and other approaches to assist producer adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.